Phase 03 - Week 12
Research Journal
Project Recap - Weeks 11 - 12
Last week:
- I presented to the External Panel and made notes on how I could refine my project
- Looked at the initial stage of app development
This week:
- Attend Dans tutorial (x2)
- Check out competitors’ apps for: 1. Habit tracking 2. Environmental/sustainable communities
- Look into software and lighting software. Madmapping
Phase 03/Wk 12: Design Development
App Competitor analysis
Researching what other habit and environmental apps are currently available was essential before creating my own. At this stage, I genuinely didn’t know what was on the market. By identifying what was currently available, I hoped to discover any market gaps and opportunities that would make my concept unique. I also hoped to discover some of their best practices and functionality to incorporate into my user experience.
Atoms - James Clear
After reading the book, this was my initial project starting point, and I was delighted to see there was a ‘Habit tracker’ app to help you change your mindset and develop daily habits, although it wasn’t obvious what the rewards were?
Atoms
Positives - As per the book, trains your mind to be 1% better every day and you can input a task and set a daily reminder. Love the habit progress, although you can only choose one habit for free.
Negatives - You can only set a reminder for one task for free, and after that, it costs £69.99 yearly. The colour scheme and layout are pretty minimal and unexciting.
AWorld is a mobile app designed to help users track and reduce their carbon footprint by promoting sustainable living practices which is akin to my concept. This app provides personalised insights into how your everyday actions impact the environment overall, from energy consumption to transport and food choices.
AWorld - incorporating Twig
Positives - I love the bright and eye-catching graphics, which make it very user-friendly. This might be aimed at a younger demographic, as it features a character called Twig, who invites you to explore together. Reminders for everyday actions.
Negatives - Reminders can be annoying after a while!
Earth Hero tracks your personal carbon footprint based on your daily activities (transport, energy and shopping habits) and shows how you compare globally. It also shares tips on how to reduce your emissions.
Earth Hero
Positives - Very calming earth tones of Blue and Green. Love how it gives you the opportunity to connect local and globally with other communities who share the same mindset. You can also earn rewards and collaborate in challenges.
Negatives - Some of it feels a bit judgemental!
Refill App - This seems like an obvious, cost-effective, and simple solution that East Grinstead Town Council has missed. It’s simple mapped out all the areas locally where you can refill your drinking water bottle (for free). Such a great initiative to not buy single-use plastics in town - but not utilised?
Refill
Positives - It invites the local community to ‘Join the refill revolution’ by not purchasing single-use plastics. A helpful map shows all local refill spots, which can be convenient for everyone. It also indicates how much plastic is kept out of landfills. It also encourages businesses to join the initiative.
Negatives - None love this!
Conclusion -
Whereas the rewards on these apps are from gamification when using the app, I aim to have a beacon (jubilee drinking water fountain) showing how their collective sustainability efforts are working. These all highlight how technology can encourage individuals and communities to make a difference in promoting sustainable habits. Providing these actionable insights through a mixture of bright, eye-catching statistics, neighbourhood collaboration and gamification can make my app engaging and accessible to my target audience.
Scamp out the concept
After researching all the various apps, I outlined key features to incorporate into my app design. This will centre around habit-building supported by guidance and reminders to achieve their daily goal. A habit tracker will visually represent progress through streaks, graphs, and milestones, motivating users with real-time feedback. The app will collect data from fountain usage to display colour-coded feedback on how the community usage is performing, with red danger from non-use to green as a positive for responsible use.
Tutorial with Dan
This was the last week before the summer break after last week’s Review Panel which I found inconclusive, for a variety of reasons I had booked a tutorial with Dan to keep on track throughout the Summer holiday.
Reference List
Websites/Podcast