A platform designed to help fitness instructors find reliable substitutes for their classes, replacing the current ad-hoc methods using social media and messaging apps with a vetted system.
Tools: Figma, FigJam, Excalidraw, Notion.
Team: Vanessa Murillo & Jack Dyche
Responsibilities: User Research, User Experience Design, Information Architecture, User Personas, Design System, Wireframes, Prototypes, Usability Testing and final UI Design.
Challenge
The fitness class market is expanding, and the demand for instructors is increasing. However, finding reliable substitutes for classes remains a challenge. Current methods using Facebook and WhatsApp lack proper vetting and reliability, making access uncertain. Instructors need a more efficient, secure solution for sourcing and vetting substitutes.
Solution
Subfit offers a dedicated platform for fitness instructors to find vetted substitutes quickly and securely. The app streamlines the process of posting and accepting jobs, ensuring reliability and providing a review system for building trust and reputation.
Design Process
User Needs
Instructors need:
- A reliable way to find substitutes
- A platform with vetted substitutes
- A review system to build trust
Substitutes need:
- A way to find available teaching opportunities
- Profiles to showcase their qualifications
- A review system to build their reputation
User Personas
User Journey
Pain Points
- Difficulty in finding substitutes last minute
- Lack of reliable substitute vetting
- Uncertainty in substitute qualifications
Refined Problem Statement:
Instructors need a reliable, vetted, and secure way to find substitutes.
Value Proposition
- Reliable and vetted substitutes
- Easy-to-use interface for posting and accepting jobs
- Review system for building trust and reputation
User Flow
Wireframes
Moodboard & Color Palette
Usability Study
We used Maze to gather Data from User Testers.
Observation Notes: Detailed observations were made during the usability study sessions, capturing participants' interactions with the app, including navigation patterns, task completion, and any usability issues encountered.
Task Flows: Task flows were documented to track participants' progression through key tasks, such as finding a substitute class, checking a class detail and messaging a instructor.
Direct Quotes: Direct quotes from participants were recorded to capture their feedback, opinions, and suggestions regarding the app's usability, features, and overall experience.
Themes and Insights:
Navigating: Testers found the navigation somewhat confusing due to unclear icons and a cluttered interface.
Booking Process: Users faced difficulties in booking a substitute, indicating a need for a more streamlined process.
Substitute Discovery: Participants had trouble finding suitable substitutes, suggesting the need for improved search and filter options.
User Feedback: Overall, participants found the app's concept appealing and expressed interest in using it regularly. However, they emphasized the importance of intuitive navigation, clear guidance, and better search functionality for an optimal user experience.
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Outcome
Working on Subfit emphasized the immense value of user-centric design and iterative testing. By understanding real user pain points and addressing them through thoughtful design, we created a platform that effectively replaced ad-hoc methods of finding substitutes with a reliable, streamlined system.
As the fitness industry continues to grow, the demand for fitness instructors and the need for effective solutions will also increase. Subfit successfully addresses this critical need by providing a dependable and efficient platform for finding substitute instructors, demonstrating the power of combining user-centric design with iterative testing to create a product that truly resonates with its users.