Profession App

app design art337 BYUI Mobile app ui design UI/UX user experience gamification Pixel art video game

Project Description

For this project, I was asked to develop a system of three integrated apps for an existing profession or life situation. Your app will function slightly differently on each device where it runs, but it is only required to run on two platforms (phone and tablet, tablet and desktop, or desktop and phone). This assignment explores how people use technology to work together and how to design interface systems that can be applied to different platforms.

Brainstorm

Possible professional app ideas.

1. Parent/Child

2. Teacher/Student/Parent

3. Graphic Designer/Client

4. Hairdresser/Client

5. Author/Editor

6. Landlord/Tenant

7. Doctor/Patient

8. Photographer/Client

9. Wedding Planner/Bride

10. Caterer/Client

11. Restaurant/Guest

12. Bride/Guest

13. Modeling Agency/Model

14. Church/Member

15. Coach/Athlete

App Concept: Fun Money

After brainstorming 15-20 app ideas, I decided to create a finance app for parents and kids. While there are many finance apps for kids on the market, most of those apps focus on credit, investing, or saving for the future. My app will specifically focus on fun money. Through my app, kids will be able to earn and save money for fun things or entertaining experiences they want but don't necessarily need. The primary function of this app will be for parents to reward their children for accomplishing tasks such as household chores, good grades, and more. My app will contain a separate dashboard for parents and kids and will include a "job board" with deadlines and pay rates. I want the kids dashboard to present more like a game with real-life challenges and real-life cash rewards which the child can earn toward their individual fun goals. The parent dashboard will update them on progress and allow them to pay their child right from the app. Kids will love this app because it makes earning money fun and rewarding. Parents will love this app because it motivates their kids to accomplish chores and other important tasks while teaching them about hard work and budgeting.

Research

COMPETITORS

Some top competitors for a family chores/kids finance app are Chorsee, GoHenry, Greenlight, S'moresUp, and Homey.

1. Chorsee

Chorsee is a Family Chart and Money Tracker. This app allows you to create a household and assign chores to family members within your household. Chores can be assigned with different schedules (daily, weekly, etc). Once chores are organized and assigned, parents can choose an incentive for family members to complete their chores. Incentive options include allowance, points, or no reward. A detailed history of completed chores and earned allowance (or points) are available under Balance History. Balances are adjustable by parents.

2. GoHenry

This kids’ debit card & financial learning app allows kids (6-18) to learn how to manage money and apply their knowledge in the real world. Kids receive a GoHenry debit card that the parent controls. Parents and kids can both use the savings, goal setting, spending, and transaction information. Parents can set tasks and weekly transfers of kids’ allowance.

3. Greenlight

A banking app that teaches kids to earn, save, and invest. The debit card is designed for kids and managed by their parents. In-app chore lists allow users to automate allowance based on chores kids complete.

4. S'moresUp

A household management app that organizes, assigns, and schedules chores for family members. Enter the chores that need to be completed and the app will remind your children for you to complete their tasks. Advanced scheduling and management options allow parents to simplify their chore management and keep the family informed of appointments, events, and responsibilities. Allowance management allows children to learn how to manage money and spend/save wisely and it incentivizes kids. The family networking element allows you to safely and securely stay in touch with extended family and fellow parents through the community Family Campfires feature.

5. Homey

An app focused on assigning chores and responsibilities to family members and differentiating between the two. Chores can be differentiated between daily, weekly, and monthly chores. The feature of jars allows kids to put the money they earned away into savings. You can connect the app to your bank accounts to send money safely, track IOUs, and mark cash payouts.

WEAKNESSES

Most family finance apps on the market are hyper focused on the educational aspects of money management. This renders them boring and ineffective because they appeal mostly to parents instead of children. They are the oatmeal of children's apps. Children are not motivated by budgeting and balances. These apps make a fatal mistake by targeting parents more than children.

STRENGTHS

Gamification technology could benefit parents and children using my app. Children don't want to feel like they're doing chores or work for rewards. Kids these days want instant gratification and rewards. Gamification within an app helps kids to feel like they're playing and being rewarded every time they use the app. This makes them want to open the app and make progress toward their goal. Social technology is another way that children can be motivated to make progress toward their goals. Engaging with other family members in healthy competition or challenges can be a fun interactive way to motivate a kid to do some good.

Functionality

My app helps parents to motivate their children to accomplish their goals. Kids decide what their reward will be, parents assign point value to rewards and tasks. Kids set and work toward goals and buy weekly rewards from the store. Daily login bonuses and point multipliers awarded on hot streaks. Siblings earn bonus points for offering encouragement on the message board. Whether it's daily chores, weekly tasks, or long-term goals, keep kids feeling motivated and rewarded.

Personas

IPHONE – PARENT

1. Jennifer is a 39-year-old working mom who has trouble getting her 2 kids to help with household chores. She has tried almost everything to get her children to be consistent in completing their chores while she's at not at home but nothing seems to stick.

2. Michael is a 35-year-old father who works long hours to provide for his family. He is very involved in his daughter's extra curricular activities and wants to support and help her stay motivated with her piano practice.

3. Elizabeth is a 28-year-old stay-at home mom who homeschools 2 children and struggles to help them both stay on task with their independent learning. She loves her children and wants them to be happy and successful.

IPAD – CHILD

1. Tyler is a 13-year-old boy who tends to be forgetful and gets distracted easily. He enjoys spending time with friends and going to the movies.

2. Natalie is a 10-year-old girl who takes piano lessons but struggles to be consistent with her piano practice. She loves going shopping and going out for treats with her dad.

3. Jack is 7-year-old boy who gets impatient when it comes to completing his schoolwork. He loves playing video games and watching YouTube videos on his iPad.

Scenarios

IPHONE – PARENT

1. Your living room carpet is due for vacuuming. Use the app to add vacuuming to the Job Board.
2. Your daughter has been asking for a Nintendo Switch but you want her to earn it. Use the app to add a Nintendo Switch to the Store so she can "buy" it herself.
3. Your son purchased a $10 cash reward from the Store and you decided to pay him in person. Use the app to mark the $10 reward as paid in full.

IPAD – CHILD

1. You're saving up for a new toy and want to earn coins quickly. Use the app to select an easy chore from the job board.
2. You just completed cleaning the bathroom sink. Use the app to mark the job as done and earn a coin.
3. You saved up your coins and would like to trade them in for real money. Use the app to buy real cash from the store.

Sketches

I created a mind map to help me organize ideas for my kids finance app and then I began sketching what I imagined my various mobile and tablet app screens might look like.

Theme Options

• Video game
• Arcade (buttons, pixels, 8-bit, etc.)
• Fantasy
• Space (sci-fi)
• Celestial (stars, moon, planets, sun)
• Money
• Casino
• Animals
• Emojis (smiles)
• Fireworks
• Under the Sea
• Candy
• Neon lights
• Comic book
• Nature
• Office Supplies (post-its, bulletin board, desk)
• Sticker chart (points = stickers)
• Pirates/Swiss Family Robinson
• Island/Vacation
• Boardgame
• Gifts

• Beehive

Usability Testing

USER 1

This is a great way for kids to learn about budgeting and finance. Will the currency be the same as dollars? Maybe the app could include a way for the family to communicate?

USER 2

I love this idea! Kids will love using this app and will be able to learn about financial stewardship in a fun way. Will the kids be earning real money or just in game money?

USER 3

It's a little confusing having a goal and also a store. Could the goals be items in the store instead? An 8-bit arcade style game would be cool. How will the parent know that the kids room is clean?

Branding & Style

Color scheme, font choices, logo, photo style, etc.