microsoft band
Microsoft Band was an exciting collaborative project that I worked on for eight months before it launched. I was apart of the APPEX design team, where we worked with the XBOX Device/hardware group to find the best possible user experience for this abstract (at the time) wearable product. During this duration of this project, I worked with an agile team of developers, user researchers, project manager, and designers (sprint planning) to create the best product we can for launch. It was a highly visible project that was overseen by the CEO of Microsoft and other large stakeholders within and outside of the company. I worked as a UX Designer and Visual Designer during my working duration of the project.
My Role
UX Designer
Wireframing
Visual Design
End-to-end Design Thinking
App Design
Type
Microsoft (In-house)
Duration
11 months
Challengedevelop a wearable fitness product that caters to the market's needs and meets the October deadline.
Our aim is to develop top-notch wearable technology for fitness enthusiasts, leveraging sensor data to provide actionable insights that aid users in achieving their fitness goals. We envision a companion-like device or voice, akin to "Watson" from Sherlock Holmes, with a soothing and poised tone that proffers assistance when required. Our research indicates that people respond well to positive reinforcement when forming new habits, so we strive to create a product that empathizes with their objectives while aligning with Microsoft's business goals. Our device will function seamlessly across a variety of Microsoft products, including Cortana, Health Vault, Xbox, and more. Ultimately, we aspire to inspire people to adopt an active lifestyle tailored to their unique preferences.
My rolesI prioritized product features with project managers to deliver an engaging product.
CUSTOMER INSIGHTS & IDEATION
I collaborated with a team to uncover insights and translate concepts that empathized with people/customers. We leveraged our collective expertise to develop resonating solutions, highlighting the impact of combining diverse perspectives through interdisciplinary teamwork.
DESIGN EXECUTION & VALIDATION
Effectively collaborated with developers to successfully accomplish sprint, project, and business objectives. Implemented user research methodology to systematically validate design decisions and interactions, ensuring optimal user experience and satisfaction.
PLANNING & SCOPE DEFINITION
As a designer, my responsibilities included the design of the Sleep tab on the Home screen and the account section of the application. I worked closely with the project managers to prioritize the product's goals and features.
CUSTOMER PERSONAS
ANDRE LAMAR
Andre is a twin (brother is Connor). He is currently a sophomore at UW for pre-med. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends and going to parties. Unfortunately, Andre gained sixteen pounds during his first year, and he's trying to shed the weight. He lives a pretty sedentary lifestyle because classwork is so demanding. He is very goal-oriented between work and play.
HEATHER TRAVIS
Catherine is a 34-year-old woman recently proposed to and is currently trying to shed some pounds for her big day. She was active before the proposal but wants to get toner and leaner. She is now a fashion designer in New York City and lives a fairly active lifestyle. She tries to walk everywhere instead of taking the subway to her desired destination.
ALAN BROWN
Alan is a stay-at-home father of three kids. He has a busy day and has trouble fitting in activities that could help him lose substantial weight. He wants to live longer to stick around for his wife, two sons, and daughter. He has a good diet, but he's looking for that extra push that will get him to reach his ideal healthy lifestyle.
microsoft band
application
The overall experience is more important than the application portion. However, the application is where the user can visualize meaningful insights and track their progress towards their goals. The Microsoft Band simply collects the data, which is then sent to the cloud and servers to be analyzed by algorithms and statistics in order to provide the most impactful and meaningful insights possible. Our research has shown that people are not just numbers, and numbers can be overwhelming to process. We wanted to create a fitness companion with a sleek and minimal design that provides positive reinforcement. This application will greet you after a good night's rest and inform you of your progress, as well as compare your results to other users and international statistics after your run and workout.
PRototype
I collaborated closely with Sam Webber, our motion prototype, to design an elegant and seamless application experience. We focused on refining transitions between L1s and L2s, and improving communication between the app and the Microsoft Band. At 0:08 in the video, the Hero Screen displays a sleep graph that provides the user with information on their deep sleep, light sleep, and REM sleep. The video also showcases how users can interact with the application and device during a workout.
