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CLIENT

PROJECT DURATION

August 2021
24 weeks

SERVICE AND OFFER

Design lead
UX designer
Visual design

Team

  • Me as design lead
  • 1 UI designer
  • Product manager
  • 5 front-end developers
  • 3 back-end developers

PROBLEM

The client initially approached us with basic wireframes for a skydiving app designed for enthusiasts. However, market research revealed a need for more complex functionality to serve not only skydivers but also dropzone operators. Additionally, there was a need for a dedicated web app for business owners to manage operations and a mobile app for dropzone staff.

SOLUTION

The platform was designed to cater to three user groups—Skydiving Enthusiasts, Drop Zone Owners, and Staff—with advanced functionalities like chat, booking, buy/sell equipment, and management tools.

VALUE DELIVERED

For skydivers, we simplified booking and communication. For dropzone owners, we streamlined operations with tools for handling inventory, bookings, and staff. For staff, we developed an intuitive mobile app to manage day-to-day tasks. The platform significantly improved customer satisfaction by reducing booking times and improving user experience.
RESEARCH

User interview

Objective:
We interviewed 12 users remotely, from one of our main competitors to identify their needs, pain points, and the features they value and of course come to a data-driven resolution for our persona.

Interview transcript:

  • "What features would make you feel comfortable buying used gear within a skydiving app?"

  • "Have you ever bought or sold used skydiving equipment online? What were your biggest concerns?"

  • "Do you ever plan group jumps with friends? If so, what challenges do you face using different apps?"

  • "How would you prefer to communicate with drop zone staff before booking a jump?"

  • "What information do you find most important when searching for a drop zone?"

  • "What aspects of booking a skydiving jump do you find most frustrating?"

  • "How do you want an app to be helpful with equipment maintenance an safety ?"

Process:

  • 12 participants were selected.

  • A Zoom session introduced the study.

  • Participants completed daily Google Forms (log activities, rate experience, share reflections) for one week.

  • Post-study interviews provided further insights.

Qualitative results:


We interviewed 12 users from one of our main competitors to identify their needs, pain points, and the features they value.

Nina

Dubai- 24

Just show me prices, amenities, and availability in plain English!

Mani

Dubai- 21

"Trying to work out jumps with friends using different platforms is a nightmare. We need a central hub to find drop zones together and manifest or somewhat similar "

Daniël

UK - 39

"Right now, booking jumps feels like it's stuck in the Stone Age.

Dann

Dubai- 43

"There are sketchy characters out there selling used gear online. An in-app marketplace with secure payment would give me peace of mind."

Davo

Dubai- 31

"Wouldn't it be great to chat with drop zone staff or instructors directly through an app? It would save so much time.

Parker

32

"Jumping solo is great, but sometimes you crave community. An in-app forum to connect with other skydivers would be fantastic."

Manoj

UK- 35

"Keeping track of worn-out gear is a chore. An app that helps with equipment maintenance reminders would be a lifesaver."

Foad

Dubai- 28

"Jumping with a new coach can be intimidating. Seeing their profile and ratings within the app would definitely help build trust."

Kim

UK - 26

"Finding the perfect used jumpsuit is like finding a four-leaf clover online. Advanced search filters in an app would be a game-changer."

Quantitive results:

11 of 12

Of users use ebay as platform to buy or sell equipments.

8 of 12

Of users use dropzone websites to book their jump.

9 of 12

Of users has to call dropzones in order to get more info.

11 of 12

Of users enjoy arranging their tasks without contacting anyone verbally or through messages.

Findings:

  • Jumpers DO need a reliable platform to deal gears.

  • Being able to check out/compare jump prices are a priority.

  • There is a gap between provided info on dropzones and jumper's needs.

  • Jumpers prefer to book and reserve their services without call or texts.

User persona

Objective:
Understanding and hearing from our potential users makes the product more focused.
Tim Burt
-Sky diver

"Skydiving is my escape. I need an app that makes booking and managing my gear effortless."

Age

30

Education

Masters

Status

Married

Occupation

Office coordinator

Location

London

Personality

Thrill seeker

Social

Organized

Goals

  • Seamless booking and communication with dropzones

  • Safe and trustworthy marketplace for used gear

  • Community connections for group jumps

  • Gear maintenance reminders

Frustations

  • Time-consuming booking process

  • Uncertainty about buying used gear

  • Difficulty organizing group jumps

  • Lack of maintenance tracking

Needs

  • An intuitive booking system

  • In-app communication with dropzones

  • Secure marketplace for gear

  • Maintenance tracking and remindersI need to be able to understand, follow and check my progress while in treatment.

I do better when i have a plan for my daily goals.

John doe

Dropzone Owner

"Running a dropzone is about balancing safety and business. I need tools that simplify both."

Age

45

Education

Some college

Status

Married

Occupation

DZ owner/ coach

Location

Dubai

Personality

Patient

Business-minded

Encouraging

safety-conscious

Organized

Goals

  • Efficient management of bookings, staff, and inventory

  • Growing the local skydiving community

  • Promoting safety in every jump

  • Increasing operational efficiency

Frustations

  • Time-consuming scheduling and staff management

  • Difficult communication with jumpers

  • Balancing safety standards with business needs

  • Keeping up with new equipment and techniques

Needs

  • Tools to streamline bookings and staff schedules

  • Clear communication channels with jumpers

  • Efficient inventory and gear management systems

  • Up-to-date safety protocols and training tools

UX DESIGN
UX DESIGN

Information Architecture

Objective: To maintain a seamless user experience for both skydivers and dropzone owners
  • The information architecture was a critical part of the project, given the complexity of the system.

  • To maintain a seamless user experience for both skydivers and dropzone owners, we divided the platform into key sections:

  • For Skydivers: Booking, communication, marketplace, profile management, and safety information.

  • For Dropzone Owners: Dashboard for inventory, bookings, staff management, and scheduling.

  • For Dropzone Staff: Mobile app interface for handling day-to-day tasks, from scheduling to ticketing and customer management.

  • We focused on making the IA intuitive and scalable to ensure that new features could be easily integrated in the future.

Prototype

Given the complexity of certain features, especially the self-manifestation system (signing up for jumps), we developed high-fidelity prototypes to test and refine the flow. The prototype allowed users to:

  • Reserve jumps quickly and easily.

  • Manage gear and communicate with dropzones.

  • Test new features like the marketplace and booking system.

Prototyping was essential in ensuring a smooth, intuitive user experience and allowed us to make adjustments based on real user feedback.

DESIGN SYSTEM

  • We implemented a custom design system called GoXRW, leveraging the iOS design language.

  • This decision was driven by the client’s target market, which primarily consisted of iOS users.

  • Key features of the design system include: Mobile-First Design: Minimum screen width of 375px, ensuring seamless adaptation across devices. Consistent Spacing: Standardized margins and paddings across different elements for a cohesive look.

  • Color Palette: A carefully curated color system that enhances readability and supports the app’s functional design.

  • By using a design system based on iOS components, we ensured rapid development and user familiarity, reducing the learning curve and allowing for future scalability.

UI DESIGN

Prototype: choosing a ticket

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • While every client is unique, some might not be as familiar with the design process as others.

  • To bridge this gap, I recently developed a comprehensive presentation that outlines the design journey from start to finish.

  • This approach aims to improve client understanding of project timelines, potential limitations, and budget allocation, fostering a smoother and more collaborative experience for everyone.


  • To maximize our efficiency within the project's timeframe and considering the project manager's bandwidth, leveraging a web application design system / UI kit like MUI or Ant Design could be a great option.

  • These pre-built component libraries can significantly reduce development time and effort, allowing us to focus on the unique features of our application.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • While every client is unique, some might not be as familiar with the design process as others.

  • To bridge this gap, I recently developed a comprehensive presentation that outlines the design journey from start to finish.

  • This approach aims to improve client understanding of project timelines, potential limitations, and budget allocation, fostering a smoother and more collaborative experience for everyone.


  • To maximize our efficiency within the project's timeframe and considering the project manager's bandwidth, leveraging a web application design system / UI kit like MUI or Ant Design could be a great option.

  • These pre-built component libraries can significantly reduce development time and effort, allowing us to focus on the unique features of our application.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • While every client is unique, some might not be as familiar with the design process as others.

  • To bridge this gap, I recently developed a comprehensive presentation that outlines the design journey from start to finish.

  • This approach aims to improve client understanding of project timelines, potential limitations, and budget allocation, fostering a smoother and more collaborative experience for everyone.


  • To maximize our efficiency within the project's timeframe and considering the project manager's bandwidth, leveraging a web application design system / UI kit like MUI or Ant Design could be a great option.

  • These pre-built component libraries can significantly reduce development time and effort, allowing us to focus on the unique features of our application.

Let's talk

© Copyright 2024 - Lina Zarkar

Let's talk

© Copyright 2024 - Lina Zarkar

Let's talk

© Copyright 2024 - Lina Zarkar