Role

 UX designer

Duration

  1 Month

Team

 UX designer

 Product designer

Tools

  Figma

  Chatgpt

  FigJam

  uizard.io

Task

  User Analysis  (Lean UX)

  Conceptualization

  Wireframing (low-fi)

  Prototyping (hi-fi)

Size

  4 features: calendar, chat, discovery, event planning

AI & UX: The Perfect "Plan Pals" Duo

The Plan Pals app was designed to help friends easily organize and plan gatherings, whether it’s a casual picnic, a movie night, or a cultural event. This user study details the comprehensive process we followed, from initial research to the final high-fidelity prototype, guided by the principles of design thinking.


This project marks my first venture into app development with significant assistance from artificial intelligence.


Throughout the development process, I ensured the ethical use of AI, leveraging it to augment human creativity and efficiency rather than replace it.


We utilized a combination of various AI tools such as ChatGPT for generating ideas and prompts, FigJam (a collaborative tool from Figma) for brainstorming and planning, Uizard for wireframing and prototyping, DALL-E for creating illustrative assets, and Attention Insight for optimizing user interface elements.


By blending these advanced tools with human insights and ethical considerations, we aimed to create a seamless and user-friendly app that truly meets the needs of our target audience.


User analysis


Research Methods

  Interviews and Surveys: We conducted in-depth interviews and online surveys with over 50 potential users aged 25-45 from various European countries. These sessions provided rich qualitative data about their event planning habits and pain points.


  User Personas: Based on our findings, we developed detailed user personas representing our target audience. For instance, Emma from Germany is a marketing manager who loves organizing social events but struggles with coordinating schedules and contributions. Similarly, Luca from Italy enjoys cultural outings but finds it challenging to keep track of RSVPs and logistics.

Emma Müller


  • Age: 30


  • Country: Germany


  • Occupation: Marketing Manager


  • Location: Berlin, Germany



Background:



Emma is a marketing manager at a tech company in Berlin. She enjoys exploring new restaurants, attending cultural events, and organizing social gatherings with her friends. Emma values efficiency and enjoys using apps that help her manage her busy schedule.


User journey Basic

We created detailed user journey maps for each persona, outlining their typical event planning process. This exercise highlighted common pain points, such as difficulty finding a suitable date, managing RSVPs, and ensuring a diverse spread of contributions.


By identifying these pain points, we could better understand where our app could provide the most value.

 

Key Insights



  Users strongly desire a streamlined way to organize events and track who is bringing what.


  Integration with calendars and social media platforms was frequently mentioned as desirable.


  Users appreciated the idea of a discovery feature to suggest new activities and venues.


"How might we help users efficiently plan and coordinate social gatherings with minimal hassle?"


Ideation

Sparking Creativity


Brainstorming Sessions:


  • We held several brainstorming sessions using ChatGPT and FigJam to generate a wide range of ideas. The collaborative environment fostered creativity, leading to innovative concepts for our app.
  • One key idea was the integration of a calendar sync feature to help users avoid scheduling conflicts and manage their time more effectively.


Feature Prioritization:


  • We used an affinity diagram to prioritize features based on user needs and technical feasibility. Top features included event creation, invitations, item lists, date coordination, and a chat function for seamless communication.


 

Emma is known both in her work and private life for being a leader. Additionally, she is the tipical girl everyone wants to be friends with. 

However, she has a problem: when she wants to organize an event, it doesn’t go as planned, and not all her friends come.

She needs an app where she can organize her friends and, why not, also some meetings with work colleagues.

Emma has found the solution. She discovered the Plan Pals app.

Since Emma started using Plan Pals, she can organize her events like a picnic at Tempelhofer Feld or near the Reichstag.




Wireframe low fi


Example of wireframe music while navigation
        
Putting It to the Test


User Testing:


  • We conducted multiple rounds of user testing with representative users from our target audience. Participants were asked to complete specific tasks using the interactive prototype, while we observed and collected feedback.
  • We focused on usability, design aesthetics, and feature functionality, making iterative improvements based on user feedback.


Key Findings:


  • Users found the design intuitive and easy to navigate.
  • The notification system and automated RSVP features were particularly well-received.
  • Some users suggested additional customization options for events, which we incorporated into the final design.


Microanimations

In the high-fidelity prototype, we incorporated microanimations created in Figma to enhance user experience. These microanimations were used to encourage the use of certain features and provide feedback to users, confirming that an action had been successfully executed. Specifically, we used microanimations on the welcome page, buttons, toggles, list markers, and when adding friends while filling out the event form. These subtle animations helped create a more engaging and intuitive user interface.

Bringing Ideas to Life


Low-Fidelity Wireframes:


  • Our initial wireframes, created with Uizard, focused on the core functionalities and user flows. These wireframes served as a foundation for our design, allowing us to visualize the app's structure and interactions.



High-Fidelity Wireframes and Prototypes:


  • We refined our wireframes into high-fidelity designs, ensuring they were visually appealing and user-friendly. Using tools like ChatGPT for detailed prompts, Uizard for design iteration, and Attention Insight for optimizing UI elements, we created a polished and cohesive design.


  • Interactive prototypes were developed with Uizard and UXPilot, allowing users to navigate the app and experience its features firsthand.
The final MVP of the Plan Pals app includes:


  • Event Creation and Management: Users can create events, set dates, invite friends, and track RSVPs with ease.
  • Discovery Feature: Offers suggestions for activities and events based on user preferences, making it easier to plan unique gatherings.
  • Item List Management: Allows users to specify items needed for the event, with friends marking what they will bring to ensure all necessities are covered.
  • Calendar Integration: Syncs with users' calendars to prevent scheduling conflicts and help manage their time effectively.
  • Notification System: Provides timely reminders and updates to all participants, ensuring everyone is informed and prepared.
  • In-App Chat: Facilitates communication among event attendees, allowing them to discuss details and make plans collaboratively.

  • Prototype hi-fi


    Conclusions


    The Plan Pals app successfully addresses the core problems identified during the research phase. By following the design thinking process, we developed a user-centric solution that enhances the experience of planning and coordinating social gatherings. The high-fidelity prototype, validated through rigorous user testing, demonstrates the potential of Plan Pals to become an essential tool for social event planning.


    AI played a crucial role in our process, but the human touch was indispensable. While AI helped accelerate our workflow and provide creative solutions, it was the human insights and ethical considerations that ensured the app truly met user needs. This combination of AI and human thinking allowed us to achieve both innovation and efficiency.