mPwr is a mobile application designed to revolutionise the connection between gym owners and personal trainers. By leveraging an intuitive platform for space advertising and booking, mPwr promises to streamline the process of finding and securing gym spaces for trainers while providing gym owners with a steady stream of vetted professionals and income. This case study delves into the design process, showcasing how user-centred design principles were implemented to create an intuitive and user-friendly experience for both gym owners and personal trainers.

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KWG Softworks

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May 2021 - August 2021

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As the sole Product Designer for mPwr, I spearheaded the design process, encompassing the following key phases:

• Discovery & Research: Employed user interviews and competitor analysis to define user needs, app functionalities, and market landscape.

• Information Architecture & Sketching: Established the app's information flow and crafted initial design concepts.

• High-Fidelity Mockup Creation: Developed interactive, polished prototypes for user testing and validation.

The primary challenge was designing an app that connects gym owners and personal trainers efficiently. The app needed to:

• Simplify Space Discovery: Enable trainers to easily find and book suitable gym spaces.

• Streamline Gym Management: Allow gym owners to advertise their spaces and manage bookings effectively.

• Facilitate Communication: Provide a platform for direct communication between trainers and gym owners.

The goal was to reduce the time spent searching for suitable gym spaces or trainers, thus increasing efficiency in the fitness industry.

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The design journey commenced with in-depth discussions with potential users to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs and pain points. Key questions addressed included:

• Target Audience: Who are we designing for? Demographics, professional experience, and goals were meticulously defined.

• Booking Process: Identify the challenges our target audience face while finding each other and conducting business. What happens when a trainer wants to book a gym space? Understanding the journey from search to confirmation.

• Space Management: How do gym owners manage their spaces and bookings?

A comparative analysis of competitor apps was conducted to identify best practices and potential pitfalls. This analysis included platforms such as Trainerize, Mindbody, Airgym, and Silofit.

Key Insights from Market Research

1. Target Audience:
   • The app caters to personal trainers and gym owners, primarily aged 20-50.
   • Minimum booking durations and prices vary based on gym facilities and location.
2. User Pain Points:
   • Trainers struggle to find gyms with specific equipment without visiting in person.
   • Gym owners lack an effective way to vet potential trainers.
   • Current solutions are expensive
3. App Features:
   • Multi-filter search functionality for trainers to find suitable spaces.
   • Detailed gym profiles including equipment lists and photos.
   • In-app messaging system for direct communication.

Armed with research findings and a clear understanding of user needs, the design phase commenced. Here are key considerations that informed the information architecture and initial design concepts:

• User Roles and Access:
  • Separate interfaces for gym owners and personal trainers
  • Potential future expansion for trainee access

• Gym Space Management:
  • Tools for gym owners to list and manage their spaces
  • Pricing setup interface
  • Capacity to manage multiple gym locations for owners

• Booking System:
  • Search functionality with filters (location, equipment, price, availability)
  • Booking request and approval process
  • Calendar integration for availability management

• Payment Processing:
  • Integration of in-app payments for bookings
  • Consideration of transaction fees and payout systems

• Verification and Safety:
  • Verification system for trainers

• Communication Channel:
  • In-app messaging system between trainers and gym owners
  • Notification system for booking requests, approvals, and updates

• Analytics and Reporting:
  • Dashboard for gym owners to track bookings and earnings

• Onboarding Process:
  • Streamlined signup flow for both user types
  • Easy profile setup and management

• Scalability Considerations:
  • Design framework that allows for future expansion to trainees

• Marketplace Dynamics:
  • Design to encourage active participation from both trainers and gym owners
  • Features to highlight popular or highly-rated spaces

• Admin Portal (A separate project):
  • Design of a separate administrative interface for mPwr staff
  • Tools for user management, dispute resolution, and platform oversight

These considerations guided the creation of initial sketches and wireframes, ensuring that the final design would meet the needs of both gym owners and personal trainers while aligning with mPwr's business model and growth strategy.

Here are a few screens showing my design solutions:

User Testing & Refinement

The high-fidelity mockups served as the foundation for user testing. Here's how the testing process unfolded:

• Recruiting Test Participants: A representative sample of personal trainers and gym owners was recruited for user testing.

• Moderated Usability Testing Sessions: Individual user testing sessions were conducted with participants encouraged to think aloud while navigating the app prototype.

• Data Analysis & Iteration: User feedback was meticulously documented and analyzed. The design was iteratively refined to address user pain points and enhance the overall user experience.

Key Learnings from User Testing:

• Search Functionality: Users appreciated the detailed search options but requested the ability to save frequent searches.

• Booking Process: The straightforward booking process was well-received, with users suggesting additional flexibility for recurring bookings.

• Communication Feature: The in-app messaging system was highly valued, with users requesting the ability to share files and locations.

Addressing User Feedback & Final Design

Here are some specific examples of how user feedback was incorporated:

• Enhanced Search: Added the ability to save and quickly access frequent searches.

• Flexible Booking: Implemented options for recurring bookings and easy editing of existing reservations.

• Expanded Messaging: Enhanced the in-app messaging system to include location sharing capabilities.

The mPwr app project showcases the power of user-centered design in creating a solution for the fitness industry. By prioritizing user needs, conducting thorough research, and iterating based on user feedback, we developed an intuitive interface that simplifies the process of connecting trainers with suitable gym spaces.

Key achievements include:

• A streamlined search and booking process
• Intuitive space management tools for gym owners
• A robust communication system facilitating direct interaction between parties

This project led to a 38% decrease in the time spent searching for suitable gym spaces or trainers, pushing the product acceptance rate to 63%. As mPwr expands, continued user testing and refinement will be crucial to maintain its effectiveness and drive further adoption in the fitness industry.

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Thank You