Overview

Athleto is a mobile app designed to connect people within their local community to find partners for playing sports they enjoy. Launched in [Year], [Your Name] aimed to address the growing challenge of finding people with similar interests in casual sports activities.

see prototype

Role

UX Designer (Sole Contributor)

Product Strategy, User Research, Interaction, Visual design, Prototyping & Testing

March-May 2024 (3 Months)

The Problem

Technology’s grip has tightened on our social lives, replacing spontaneous sports with the isolation of screens. This digital disconnect cripples access to the physical and social benefits of recreational sports. Athleto steps in to bridge this gap, rekindling community spirit and the joy of shared athletic experiences.

The Missed Connections of Our Digital Age: Finding Community Through Sports

In our increasingly digital world, local communities often miss opportunities to connect and share passions. Traditional methods of finding people to play sports with can be limited, relying on personal networks that might not share the same interests. This fragmentation hinders individuals from enjoying the benefits of recreational sports, like exercise, camaraderie, and friendly competition.

Athleto aims to bridge this gap. We believe that technology can be a powerful tool for fostering a sense of community within our neighbourhoods. By providing a user-friendly app, Athleto empowers individuals to connect with like-minded people who share their love for sports. We create a platform for community building, allowing people to easily find games, build trust with new teammates, and rediscover the joy of playing sports together.

The digital revolution has undeniably reshaped how we connect with each other. While technology offers incredible tools for communication and information sharing, it can also contribute to a sense of isolation within our own communities. Here’s how this trend is impacting the fabric of our social lives:

  • Generational Divide: A study by the Angus Reid Institute (2022) highlights a generational shift in how people find community. Younger generations (under 35) are more likely to find connection based on shared experiences or identities online, whereas older residents (over 54) draw strength from their physical neighbourhoods. This disconnect weakens the overall sense of community for everyone.
  • Weakened Local Connections: Research suggests a decline in spontaneous interactions with neighbors. The Angus Reid Institute study (2022) found that only half of young Canadians (18-34) felt they had a neighbor they could rely on, compared to three-quarters of those over 65. This decline in local social support networks can be detrimental, especially during difficult times.
  • Loss of Community Spirit: Thomas L. Friedman, in his book “Thank You for Being Late” (2020), argues that rapid technological advancements are disrupting our lives, leaving people feeling disconnected. He emphasizes the importance of strong communities that provide stability and a sense of belonging. Vibrant communities, according to Friedman, are essential for attracting talent, fostering small businesses, and promoting overall well-being.
  • Impact on Mental and Physical Health: Social isolation has been linked to negative mental and physical health outcomes. Research suggests that loneliness can be as detrimental as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (Salter, 2021). Fostering strong community connections can be a powerful tool for combating loneliness and promoting overall well-being (Toikko & Pehkonen, 2018).

The combined effects of these trends highlight a growing problem: a decline in strong, local communities. This disconnection weakens social support networks, diminishes mental and physical well-being, and weakens the overall sense of belonging within our neighborhoods.

The Solution:

The digital disconnect has sidelined spontaneous sports and the joy of community.

Athleto steps in as your solution, fostering effortless connection. Our user-friendly app streamlines finding like-minded players in your area, eliminating the need for endless searching. Player profiles and rating systems build trust, ensuring positive experiences on and off the field. Athleto simplifies organization by allowing you to browse games, manage participation, and connect with teammates – all within a single platform. Get active, have fun, and rediscover the power of community through shared athletic experiences with Athleto.

Design Process

Throughout Athleto’s development, I prioritized a user-centered approach. This involved user research (personas, interviews) and usability testing to understand user pain points, especially trust concerns when finding reliable players. Based on these insights, I designed a user-friendly platform with features like browsing games, managing participation, and the user-requested player rating system, fostering a positive and trustworthy sports community.

User Research:

User Persona

Competitor Analysis:

User Journey Mapping:

Usability Testing:

Retrospective Usability Testing Interview Findings:

Developing the Minimum Viable Product

I prioritized core features to test Athleto’s concept,

While features like player ratings were initially considered, I prioritized core functionalities to test Athleto’s concept and gather user feedback early on:

  • User profiles: Add/Edit interests and Update Profile.
  • Game discovery: Find games by sport, location, and date.
  • Game details: Clear information for informed decisions.
  • RSVP system: Join/Unjoin Games with ease.
  • Basic communication: Ask questions and confirm attendance.

This MVP allows for a quick launch, user feedback, and iterative design based on real-world needs. It ensures that Athleto becomes a valuable platform for recreational athletes.

Designs

With the clock ticking, I focused on outlining the key user flows through basic mockups. We then collaborated on the desired visual style, opting for a clean interface with a refreshing gradient theme. To bring the design to life and ensure smooth user interaction, I created a clickable prototype using Figma.

view prototype

Sign Up Screen:

Preference Page:

Home Page:

Profile Page:

Message Page:

Game Details Page:

Prototype

Results and Lessons Learned.

Results

  • Unveiling User Needs: User surveys revealed key pain points and aspirations:
    • Difficulty finding reliable players and games at the right skill level.
    • Frustration with unclear communication and game details.
    • A desire for a sense of community and trust within the platform.
  • Positive User Sentiment: Users expressed appreciation for:
    • The ease of finding games based on their preferences.
    • The transparency of game details allows informed decisions.
    • Basic communication features foster some level of connection.
  • Feature Requests: User feedback highlighted a strong desire for:
    • Player Ratings and Reviews: A system for rating game experiences to foster trust and accountability.

Lessons Learned

The emphasis on user experience in the MVP yielded valuable qualitative insights. Here’s what we learned:

  • Focus on Core Usability First: Establishing a user-friendly experience with core features like search and communication is key.
  • Qualitative Feedback Drives Development: User stories and pain points guide future iterations and feature development.
  • Building Trust is Essential: Implementing a system for player ratings and reviews can build trust and encourage participation.

Prioritizing Player Ratings

While the MVP focused on core functionalities to validate the Athleto concept, user feedback overwhelmingly emphasized the need for a system to assess player reliability and experience. This feedback highlighted the importance of building trust within the platform.

Integrating Player Ratings into the Final Prototype:

In response to user needs, a player rating system was implemented in the final Athleto prototype.

This addition addresses user concerns about trust and helps build a more accountable and reliable community within Athleto.

Additional Considerations:

  • Mitigating Abuse: Develop a system to prevent misuse of the rating system. This might involve limiting the frequency of ratings per user or requiring a minimum number of games played before leaving a review.
  • Transparency and Education: Communicate how the rating system works and its purpose in fostering a positive and trustworthy environment within the Athleto community.