Learning Figma
After experiencing the University of North Texas Rec Center's app, I identified opportunities to improve its usability and overall design. To help enhance the app, I launched a user research initiative, I created wireframes and mockups to propose design improvements, focusing on simplifying navigation and enhancing functionality.
My goal was to push myself in Figma, learning things hands-on that I otherwise wouldn't learn in class, while also brainstorming on how to improve experiences on campus.
While heading to the University of North Texas Rec Center, I realized I had forgotten my wallet. I didn’t want to walk three miles back home to grab my student ID, so I called the Rec Center to see if there were any alternatives.
The wonderful staff member on the phone mentioned that they have an app with a digital ID that can be used to scan in as many times as needed. What a great idea, right? An app for the Rec Center! I had never heard of it, even though I frequent the Rec Center.
Excited to try it out, I downloaded the app, but quickly realized the layout could use some improvements.
My immediate impression of the app is that there was no hierarchy: I had a really hard time finding the feature I needed. A lot of the icons were repetitive, and the slider at the bottom that was showcasing upcoming events looked like an ad at first so I ignored it! After some inspection, I also realized that many of the links led to dead URLs. I want to help make this something UNT can be proud of, and something that Rec Center users could utilize.
APP OVERHAUL
Research
Using six different social media platforms, printed flyers, and connections, I was able to research around 50 Rec Center users.
Most users were UNT Students, with most of them being unaware that there was an app at all! Out of those who did know about it and used it, 57% use it for the Digital ID feature.
It took the majority around 4 to 7 seconds to find the most used feature with the current app UI.
.png)
Findings
Mockup + Sketches
