UX & IT Specialist
Anja Melchiorsen, Cand.it
Made with

Bike Mode

UX Design in app | Interaction Design | Testing app use on/off bikes

Bike Mode

Design Challenge

Design a screen based digital product that will enhance the urban biking experience.

Design Context

The design challenge was given in the course 'User Experience' in the Master Programme Digital Design and Communications (DDK) as part of my specialisation. In a team of four, I was a part of every step of the process and mostly worked on user research, prototype and testing.  

Solution

Bike Mode for iOS operating system, in order to simplify interaction for cyclists that use their phone even though it is dangerous, irresponsible and illegal. Bike Mode is a way to minimise distractions from the phone.

Design Process

Process Overview
Process Overview

Design Process: Double Diamond

We used the Double Diamond model developed by the British Design  Council. The model at the right describes the activities involved in the different phases and the outcome as well.  

1
Observation
7
Initial interviews
4
In depth-interviews
10
Tests

Research focus 

  • How cyclists feel about using their phone while biking
  • How cyclists use their phone while biking
  • How a situation look like when cyclists use their phone while biking
  • The relationship between cyclists and their phone 

Findings

               “I try not to use my phone as much”
               Cycling Commuter - CPH

Respondents find it difficult to put their phone away.

               “I think my attention span changes when I use headphones”
               Cycling Commuter - CPH

Respondents listen to music while cycling, even though it can make them feel uncomfortable and sometimes, unsafe.

Design Brief

Key Insight

  • Cyclist interacts with their phone frequently in Copenhagen, even though it is illegal, dangerous and irresponsible.

    Therefore, the solution cannot have the purpose of completely restricting cyclists from using their phones as this is unrealistic and would likely prevent people from making the solution.

Key objective

  • The purpose of the solution is to minimise time user spends on the phone while biking.

Design Requirements

  • Users shall be able to complete tasks with a reduced number of taps
  • Changing the settings (e.g. modes) on the phone must be easy to do for all kinds of users
  • The user interface must be as plain as possible to get a quick overview and limit distraction
  • The design should integrate easily with users’ habits

Bike Mode

Collaborative sketching 

I usually start the design process with low fidelity sketches. This is the way I iterate through many design options quickly. 

  • The purpose was to generate specific screen-based ideas within the design brief's requirements 
  • In this project, the sketching process was inspired by collaborative sketching, where we build upon each other's ideas. 
  • Finalised with a critique session, evaluating which areas should be the focus of the prototype. In this case: 'design and present navigation', 'number of screen interactions', 'turn on/off'. 

First prototype

Focus

  1. Design and present navigation
  2. Control sound (e.g. music)
  3. Display calls and messages
  4. The number of screen interactions
  5. Turn Bike Mode on/off

5
Tests: Off Bike

- Visuals, Concept Comprehension
5
Tests: OnBike

- Effective use in close-to-reality setting
Primary phone use while biking
Primary phone use while biking

Findings 

Off-Bike
1. Navigation with Google Maps is preferred.
2. Big sound controls were preferred and easy to use. 
3. Play, pause, next/back controls are sufficient. 
4. Bike Mode is preferred to be part of an operating system.
5. Exit should not be too easy.

On-Bike
1. Bike Mode performs as effective as regular mode.
2. Big sound controls were preferred and easy to use.

Final Prototype