BackgroundFor this project, I took a more structure- and content-based approach while still focusing on user experience. Developed ground-up based on one simple prompt: “design a smoking cessation app utilizing a fictitious sensor that detects real-time nicotine levels in the blood.”
I leveraged my behavior change and research experience to develop an efficacious, skills-based approach to smoking cessation utilizing tenets of Self-Determination Theory and the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change. A copy of my program can be found here. |
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Opportunities/Challenges
Opportunities: Develop unique app utilizing experience in behavior change research, bridging the gap between academic research and development. Make an app that helps address a wide-reaching and notoriously difficult negative behavior that would be widely adaptable and of utility to a wide range of users across age, gender, etc.
Challenges: Unique situation where a successful app would ideally be user extinction. Making an experience that is effective and stands out in a crowded marketplace.
Challenges: Unique situation where a successful app would ideally be user extinction. Making an experience that is effective and stands out in a crowded marketplace.
Approach
Developed from a user-focused perspective. Began with literature review to determine structure, then performed focus groups and interviewed former smokers to determine common sticking points and effective anecdotal techniques—beyond the research.
This project was developed with a focus on user needs and minimize interaction time. After the initial phases, user interaction points would be primarily initiated by user.
This project was developed with a focus on user needs and minimize interaction time. After the initial phases, user interaction points would be primarily initiated by user.
Skills
Card Sorting
I utilized card sorting to test my information architecture. This was performed both with users and experts in behavior change to ensure architecture made sense from a theoretical perspective, as well as to users.
A/B Testing
In order to test input and interaction methodologies, I developed rough wireframes for a variety of actions in order to test various input methods. I performed user panels providing users multiple input methods for the same information to determine logical input and ease of use.
Diaries
I recruited people who were in the process of quitting smoking and had them perform diaries over the course of a number of weeks. Diaries were delivered online with email reminders to encourage adherence and completion. Diary information include triggers, concerns, successes, skills utilized, and smoking behavior. These diaries provided an ecologically valid accounting of the process of quitting, and provided a more granular view of psychological and behavioral underpinnings of cessation.
Professional testing
I utilized professionals in UX, smoking cessation, and behavior change to test the app from scientific and user perspective.
I utilized card sorting to test my information architecture. This was performed both with users and experts in behavior change to ensure architecture made sense from a theoretical perspective, as well as to users.
A/B Testing
In order to test input and interaction methodologies, I developed rough wireframes for a variety of actions in order to test various input methods. I performed user panels providing users multiple input methods for the same information to determine logical input and ease of use.
Diaries
I recruited people who were in the process of quitting smoking and had them perform diaries over the course of a number of weeks. Diaries were delivered online with email reminders to encourage adherence and completion. Diary information include triggers, concerns, successes, skills utilized, and smoking behavior. These diaries provided an ecologically valid accounting of the process of quitting, and provided a more granular view of psychological and behavioral underpinnings of cessation.
Professional testing
I utilized professionals in UX, smoking cessation, and behavior change to test the app from scientific and user perspective.
