Project 3

Background

This independent project began with a question: “What feature might upgrade your experience of a daily used app?” The survey feedback was numerous, but I identified a handful of frustrated iMessage users that stirred ideas for more helpful features. In an era where texting has become a central form of daily communication, what features might improve the iMessage user experience?

The Problem

Texts messages serve as real time communication. But what happens when you want to plan ahead? Say you want to remind someone of something via text on a specific day and time? iMessage does not have this function.

The Solution

Gmail and Android have the capability to schedule a message to be sent in the future. Using the existing iPhone UI, I've designed what this feature may look like if iMessage were to adapt this feature. (Note, this is an independent project. I have not worked for Apple.)

Research

In addition to competitor analysis, I performed qualitative research surveys with a dozen iPhone users ranging from 23 - 65 years old. Based on the feedback I gathered from these surveys, I identified 3 potential add-on features that could improve the usability of iMessage, including the scheduled text feature.

Persona

Based on my research, I developed a persona called Laura that embodies the target user for this feature.

User Flow Chart

As part of my design process, I developed this user flow to demonstrate how the user would navigate through this new scheduled text feature within iMessage.

UI Kit

Since iPhone already has well established UI of their own, I merely adapted items to add this feature that align with the existing UI.

Wireframes

Using detailed wireframes first, I built out the customization of this feature based on the existing iPhone UI, including the Text FX settings page and the calendar settings from iCalendar.

Usability Testing

Usability testing illuminated the key pain point to be that once the scheduled text settings have been selected, users often hesitate to identify how to proceed in sending the text. Instead of relying upon the blue arrow send button, I decided to include the word “Add” in the send button as seen in the calendar feature on iPhones.

iMessage Case Study