The product:
This is a platform for online networking just as you do in any convention or exposition event.
Project duration:
Start Jan 2021 - Ended Sep 2021
The problem:
Xponet needed a complet platform for online meetings and conventions. This idea was born with the pandemic inclusion that led us to stop any social activity in the real world.
The goal:
Deliver a full user base platform for meetings and conventions creators, and visitors. We propose a platform with online meetings and VR activities.
My role:
lead UX/UI designer, UX researcher, etc.
Responsibilities:
user research, wireframing, prototyping
Interviews and surveys, let us know that users needed to continue their networking activities, even though no physical interactions were allowed.
- The lack of options for big audiences, simultaneously connected and interacting with each others.
- Finding a way to show 3 main sections, Dashboard for creators, Full landing for whole event, Landing for single stands.
When I started, the team already had basic design screens, my job was to analyze and upgrade those designs.
For such upgrades, we made interviews 1 to 1, and surveys, in this case, for the possible user personas, who may attend an online convention.
Usability study: findings
Write a short introduction to the usability studies you conducted and your findings
Round 1 findings
- The Virtual Tours section and the Videoconference section should be strengthened.
- Users understand that a company is being talked about and introduced, but they don't seem to notice the first impression part of the virtual tour, or at least they don't notice it.
Round 2 findings
- Users do not understand the difference between the one-time payment and the annual payment.
- Users don't understand how the discount works
- Users don't understand very well how to save the event.
- Usuarios preguntaron mucho “¿cómo sé cuanto dura el evento?”, así que los usuarios no lograron detectar la duración del evento
Refining the design
Mockups
We work to improve those pain point for the user, from the dashboard to the virtual showroom.
Dashboard
For the dashboard, the challenge was to create an easy step by step way to create and set up a full online convention/event.
We separate the sections, step by step, with an easy to find and follow process.
Showroom
For the showroom, we wanted an online portal to find many stands, conferences, and networking, so we propose this
This is the last update we made for the individual online stand.
Accessibility considerations
Senior users
The main user persona for the dashboard administrator, were senior users, 50+ years old, who were struggling with the Covid restrictions, so we had the mandatory request of an easy to read, and follow platform
Space
Less white space for smaller devices. In the case of short and low resolution devices, most people could feel lost if the elements aren’t visible at first, sigh.
Color
Soft color palette, so it doesn’t feel too bright or to contrast, easy to read and follow. Considerations for the future included a Dark Mode version.
Going forward
Takeaways
Impact
After the considerations in upgrade designs and flows, 4 of 5 users feel more confident in use the platform, and understands more easily the process of create a new event, an to interact in the showroom
What I learned
While designing the Xponect's app, I learned that the design for seniors is a totally new challenge, you need big easy to read texts, calm colors and clean typographies, but not too much so you don't keep away the younger users the platform could have.
Next steps
ONE
Design a Dark Mode for the app, so the users feel more comfortable using the app for long periods of time.
TWO
Introduce new languages, so we don’t limit the usability only for English/Spanish readers.
THREE
Conduct more user research to determine any new areas of need.
Design Guidelines
Typography, colors and components
The base was Bootstrap, Angular and CSS
