Application Design 2 - Task 1: App Design 1 Self-Evaluation and Reflection

 21/04/2025 - 16/02/2025 (Week1 - Week4)

Teu Yu Tian / 0371923
Application Design 2 | Bachelors of Design (Honour) in Creative Media | Taylor's University
Task 1: App Design 1 Self-Evaluation and Reflection


1. LECTURES:


2. INSTRUCTIONS:


REQUIREMENT:
Students are required to perform a self-evaluation and reflection based on their mobile application design 1 final project. This project aims to document the issues, problems, and difficulties and propose solutions to improve the mobile app design aesthetic and user flow. 
Submission format: Google Docs

To submit a self-reflection blog post on the app design refining process with a clear comparison between the old and new design. Refer to example past students’ blogs for more details. 

We were assigned to use AI to analyse our previous app design. 


Click to Access >> Google Doc

AI Analysis
Prompt: can you generate review, feedback and analysis for the interface design?

Onboarding Screen

✅ What’s Working Well

Logical Narrative - Clear journey from discovery to action, supporting mental model building.
Consistent Visual Design - Monochromatic blue illustrations create strong visual cohesion (Gestalt: Uniform Connectedness).
Clear CTA -  “Next” and “Get Started” buttons are high-contrast and well-positioned for easy tapping (Fitts’ Law).
Progress Indicators
 Dots show user location and progress, enhancing system visibility (Nielsen's Heuristic).
Legible & Concise Text
 Short titles and descriptions reduce cognitive load and improve scannability.


🔧 Areas for Improvement

Skip Button Visibility
 Darken or underline "Skip" for better control and visibility.
Button Tap Feedback
 Add animations or color changes for better microinteraction feedback.
Illustration-Content Alignment
 Update visuals to better reflect mobile actions like booking and managing spots.
Accessibility Check
 Test color contrast to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards for better readability.

Argument
I had set the microinteraction in original design.
Accessibility check(WCAG 2.1 AA ) for the Next button has no issue for bold and big text. 

Original Onboarding

Improvement I made: 
  • Bold and underline the Skip  button to make it more obvious
  • The illustration in original "Manage your booking" page moved to the "Reserve a spot" page as it is more align to the content.
  • I design a new illustration for "Manage your Booking" page, there are some edit button, cancel button and time, date, cost related sign floating around, showing the flexibility of checking status and manage their booking details. 
Redesigned onboarding page


Signup/ Login

✅ What’s Working Well

Clear Visual Hierarchy
Strong labels, consistent padding, and icon+label combos help focus and reduce cognitive load.
Smart Progressive Disclosure
Button states updates based on form completeness, improving feedback and guiding users (Nielsen's Heuristic).
Smooth Social Login
Familiar icons speed up signup (Hick’s Law) and offer inclusive options.
Good Accessibility
 Buttons are sized well for touch (Fitts' Law) and text contrast supports readability.

🔧 Areas for Improvement

Field Labels
 Use floating or persistent labels instead of placeholders to support error recovery.
Terms Link Visibility
 Make “Terms & Conditions” a clear, underlined hyperlink; consider opening it in a modal.
Password Toggle Spacing
 Add more padding between password text and the eye icon to avoid mis-taps.
Sign Up/Log In Toggle
Style navigation links with bold or underline, and add hover/tap feedback for clarity.
Personal Analysis
Design is clean and clear but visual can be improved

Argument
Field label is present in original design.


Improvement I made: 
  • Bolded and coloured the “Terms & Conditions”, "Log in" button
  • Added spacing for the eye icons
  • Add background for signup title as I think the original visual is too clean and plain.
Redesigned Signup Page

Home Page

What Works Well

Clear Primary Action
The large “Nearby Me” button uses a strong visual hierarchy to highlight the main task.
Map Usability
Color-coded markers follow recognition over recall, simplifying parking status visibility.
Compact Info Card
Key details (name, availability, distance) are cleanly presented, aiding quick decisions (Hick’s Law).
Navigation Bar Clarity
Icons plus labels boost affordance and make navigation intuitive for first-time users.


🔧 Areas for Improvement

Marker Interactivity
Make pins tappable to update the info card and provide visual feedback.
Expandable Bottom Card
Allow users to drag up the card to reveal more details progressively.
Empty Map State
Add a friendly message when no parking is available and suggest expanding the search area.
Accessibility Improvements
Pair color codes with icons (e.g., checkmarks) to support colorblind users.
Floating Button Clarification
Replace the floating settings icon with a filter icon if it’s meant for map options.

Argument
  • Location pin is tappable but not showing in the static design.
  • No needed for expandable bottom card. The original horizontal card gives more visual spacing to the map and make it easier to see the key details with the map. They can tap to see the details, and go back easily.
  • Misread of floating icon (the icon is "locate me" icon.)
  • It can directly show the nearest result instead of giving an empty map state.

Original Home Page


Improvement I made: 
  • Added the cross and checkmark for location pin to support colorblind users.

Redesigned Home page
 

Parking Information & Reservation Details

 What Works Well

Strong Visual Hierarchy
Info flows logically (location → booking → pricing → action) with clear section separation (Gestalt’s Proximity).
Effective CTA Buttons
Bold, bottom-placed buttons (Reserve Now, Confirm and Pay) follow Fitts’ Law for easy thumb access.
User Trust Elements
Real location photos, clear hours, address, and transparent policies build credibility.
Cost Transparency
Fee breakdown and bold total price help users decide quickly (Hick’s Law).
Smooth Payment Experience
Pre-selected wallet with easy "Change" option ensures user control and frictionless checkout.


🔧 Areas for Improvement

Confirmation Feedback 
Add loading indicators and a success message after payment to close the feedback loop.
Edit Time Visibility
Make the "edit" pencil icon larger or add a label for clarity.
Heart Icon Clarification
Add a tooltip like “Saved to Favorites!” to explain the heart button's function.
Wallet Top-up Flow
Prompt users with a pop-up if the balance is insufficient to prevent payment failure.
Minor Spacing Fixes
Add more padding around the pricing table for better readability on smaller screens.


Argument
Edit time icon used red colour in original design, which is obvious enough.
Saved to favourite tooltips present in original design.




Original Parking information and reservation details


Improvement I made: 
  • Added spacing for the price list.
  • unify all pricing with 2 decimal and change the "credits" to actual "RM" price.
  • Added "payment in process" screen.

Redesigned Details pages

New added payment in process screen.

My Booking & Current Booking




✅ What Works Well
Visual Design
Clean layout, consistent purple/white palette, clear “Unlock My Bay” CTA.
Info Hierarchy
Key details (booking ID, bay number, arrival time) are well-emphasized.
Usability
Tab navigation (Current, Upcoming, Past) is intuitive and familiar.
Feedback
Real-time countdown adds urgency and supports task awareness.
Icons
 “Cancel,” “Help,” and “Navigate” icons are intuitive and match expectations.


🔧 Suggestions for Improvement

Accessibility 
Improve text contrast (e.g., “Arrive within”) for colorblind users; add icons. 
Microcopy 
Use dynamic labels for “Unlock My Bay” based on timing context.
Icon Clarity
Add text labels below icons to support all user types.
Empty States
Display friendly messages or animations when no bookings exist.
Confirmation Feedback
Add modals for “Cancel” and “Unlock” to prevent accidental taps.  ( Not necessary )

Argument
Tried for adding time icon for "arrive within" but it does not seems fit, so I removed and just keep it bold.
Empty States text label for icons present in original design.
Not necessary for confirmation feedback.

**No changes in My Booking & Current Booking screen

In-Session & End Flow

 What Works Well

User Guidance
Clear step-by-step flow with friendly prompts like “I've Parked” and “Confirm Car Removed.”
Visual Clarity
Minimalist layout, legible typography, and well-aligned dialog cards.
Microcopy
Friendly, instructional language eases user stress.
Pricing Transparency
Clear cost breakdown enhances trust.
Visual Hierarchy
Key actions like “End Session” are prominent and intuitive.

🔧 Suggestions for Improvement

Timing Feedback
Add progress visuals (e.g., animated circle) to enhance urgency. 
Action Confirmation
Show visual cues (e.g., checkmark) after taps for reassurance. 
Extend CTA
Boost visibility when time runs low (color or animation).
Dialog Consistency
Standardize layout and illustration sizes across steps.
Accessibility
Improve color contrast and consider voice/haptic cues.

Argument
Animated circle present in the original design. 
Visual cues is no needed as the next step has clearly show the action has been done. 



Current Session Page flow
Improvement I made: 
  • Added spacing for the pricing list
  • Boost visibility of Extend button by making it into secondary button style and change "Extend" to "Extend Parking Time" for better clarity of the button function.

Redesign Current Session page

  • Unify dialog size and illustration size.
Redesign Current Session Dialog

Past Session Summary

Original Past Session Page

✅ What Works Well

Content Clarity
Clear segmentation of session recap and billing info.
Visual Hierarchy
Well-structured cards with headings guide the eye.
Primary Action
“Generate Receipt” is clear and encourages trust.
Friendly Microcopy
Labels like “Rate your experience!” feel human and conclusive.
Feedback Loop
Star rating supports user reflection and app improvement.

🔧 Suggestions for Improvement

Star Rating Feedback
Add visual/tactile feedback on tap (color fill, “Thanks!”). 
Currency Format
Use consistent "RM5.00" style for polish. 
Duration Labeling
Replace "9m14s" with "9 min 14 sec" for clarity.
Unused Fields 
Hide or label “Not Applicable” for empty energy info.
Receipt Confirmation
Add toast or dialog after generating receipt.


Improvement I made: 
  • Added toast after pressed generate receipt.
  • make the star rating yellow colour darker, as i feel the contrast is not enough.
  • Change "Rate your experience" to "Thanks for rating" after user give the rating.

 


Booking Confirmation


✅ What’s Working Well

Positive Feedback
Large green tick and “Booking Successful!” message offer instant reassurance.
Transaction Summary
Card layout neatly groups booking and payment info.
Price Highlight
RM7.00 is prominently displayed, addressing key user concern.
Clear Next Actions
“Navigate Me” and “Home” provide clear, task-focused options.


🔧 Suggestions for Improvement

Replace "13.30pm" with “1:30 PM” or “13:30” for standard formatting
Visually group action buttons (e.g., background card or divider)
Add icons to action buttons for easier recognition
Include options like “Share Booking” or “Save Receipt”

Argument 
I don't think adding background for action button is needed.
Improvement I made: 
  • Added share button at top right corner
  • unify time format using "10:00 AM" format
  • tighten a little for the gap between the card and the buttons. (Originally the button is too far from the card.)



Wallet & Top-Up Flow


✅ What Works Well

User Flow Clarity
Linear, step-by-step sequence from wallet → top-up → payment → confirmation. Predictable and easy to follow.
Consistent Design
Cohesive use of color, typography, and rounded buttons enhances trust and visual unity.
Payment Hierarchy
Clear grouping of payment options with recognizable icons.
Confirmation Feedback
Green checkmark and payment details offer strong feedback and closure.
Microinteractions
Disabled buttons until valid input and real-time payment selection reinforce system feedback.

🔧 Suggestions for Improvement

Card Entry Security
Mask full card number after input (show only last 4 digits).
No Progress Indicator
Add stepper or breadcrumbs (e.g., Step 2 of 4) to orient users.
Success Screen Hierarchy
De-emphasize Transaction ID and Date for cleaner look.
Top-Up Amount Selection
Add clear “selected” state (e.g., filled background or border).
No Error State
Include a screen or toast for failed transactions.

Settings

What Works Well

Visual Hierarchy
Profile info stands out with clear layout and icon use.
Navigation Grouping
Related options grouped neatly in rounded cards.
Brand Consistency
Colors and styles match the app’s overall identity.
Tab Bar Clarity
Active tab clearly highlighted, aiding navigation.

🔧 Suggestions for Improvement

Add section headers (e.g., "Account", "Support") for better grouping
Make profile avatar interactive (e.g., camera icon overlay)
Include visual feedback on taps (e.g., ripple effect)
Add essential settings (e.g., Notifications, Privacy)




Improvement I made: 
  • Added section headers: Account, Support, Preference, Feedback & Share.
  • Add settings: Tutorial, Transaction History, Notification, Language  and system.
  • Changed Logout colour to red for visual clue.
  • Added camera icons on profile picture to let user know it is editable.
  • Added round corner for the dark blue background.
 

Overall Evaluations

Strength

In the original design, there is good handling in setting the visual hierarchy, such as emphasizing important information by using icons, colours, bolder font or bigger font, and so on. The flow is friendly for first-time users, every icon has text descriptions, and the clues or prompts give ease of guiding and understanding to users. The overall colours and style are consistent, clean, and show minimalist design, keeping visual clarity and functionality.


Weakness
Accessibility is less considered in the original design, where some parts use colour to emphasize or deliver the message but ignore ease of use for colour-blind people. There are some inconsistencies in terms of time and currency format, which create confusion. I also notice some minor spacing issues in the app, such as elements being too tight or too far apart. The lack of confirmation feedback decreases users' confidence.


Improvement
I mainly made improvements on spacing, unifying text format, adding more contrast to certain elements, such as colour for star ratings, emphasizing important buttons, aligning visuals with content, and adding some loading screens and toast messages after actions for better feedback.

Figma Link



Slide
Application Design 2 - Task 1



Presentation video:



3. FEEDBACK

No feedback


3. REFLECTION

Experience

Doing a self-evaluation for my design was actually hard to start. I think it is ineffective for me to evaluate my own design, as I have seen it so many times and already did what I could to improve it in earlier stages. To notice any improvement, I need to look at other references and compare them with my own design to identify what can be improved or how it could be better. Fortunately, with the help of AI technology, I was able to identify areas for improvement. I used AI technology to evaluate my designs alongside my own personal reflections to guide enhancements. This process strengthened my decision-making skills and helped me apply key UX principles more effectively in real scenarios.

Observation

The AI evaluation provided a helpful starting point by highlighting areas for improvement, especially in accessibility, consistency, and clarity. Some issues I had never noticed were pointed out, which shows that I still need to further develop my analytical skills in UI/UX design. I also realized that some of my design decisions were intuitive but lacked clear justification, and the AI feedback helped me explain those choices more confidently. Additionally, analyzing different screens helped me identify patterns in my design habits, including both strengths and weaknesses.

Findings

I realized I’m good at maintaining design consistency, carefully managing spacing and colors throughout the interface, but I need improvement in aesthetics and visual engagement. I found my design overall to be ordinary, which doesn’t give a strong impression. Although I aim for a minimalist, clean, and function-based design, some people are better at balancing both aesthetics and functionality. I found that enhancing visual hierarchy made a big difference in guiding users toward key information like transaction status and total cost. I also learned that incorporating icons, headers, and touch feedback not only improved usability but also made the interface feel more polished and intuitive. Overall, these small changes contributed to a smoother and more cohesive user experience


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