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Ema Devcic 

MSc User Experience Design

Hi, I'm Ema. I posses a strong academic foundation in multimedia and design complemented by years of practical experience in task management and collaboration. In my academic journey and professional experiences, I have developed proficiency in design thinking, user research and service design principles. This has equipped me with the skills and mindset to tackle complex problems by putting the end-user and stakeholders at the center of the design process. My research project examines the influence of social accountability within progress tracking applications.

Literature review addresses research gaps on topics of interest to this study, focusing on research on motivation and effective goal setting, progress tracking, social aspect, and progress tracking with photographs. Although existing literature acknowledges the effectiveness of social features, there is a lack of direct research specifically investigating their impact on users' motivation and retention within progress tracking applications.
The project used the Double Diamond design process to examine the problem and develop a digital product. With a number of progress tracking applications that already exist, the objective was to focus on creating a unique and innovative design. This process adopts an iterative approach where all ideas generated in response to the design challenge are tested and modelled, and only the most relevant ideas are retained, resulting in a more refined solution finding process.
User research was conducted in order to investigate the user experiences and behaviors around progress tracking. Research consists of a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to gather insights into user perspectives and behaviors. The research methods include an online survey, user interviews and an SME interview.
Creating a concrete definition of a target user, helped to guide the design process by ensuring that the users remain the central focus in decision making. Collected data from the user interviews and survey helped facilitate and guide the development of a target user. A primary and secondary persona was developed, following by a journey map, scenario and finally a problem statement.
Collected user research findings were translated into actionable design strategies. A mood board was developed in order to establish the character of a design and to identify the elements needed to create it. While sketches and low-fidelity prototypes enabled the experimentation with different layouts and design elements in order to identify optimal design solutions for the digital product.
Two prototypes were developed. Prototype A is without any social features. Users set a goal, join a challenge, and track the progress with the use of photographs or personal notes. Prototype B encompasses social features, it follows the same process as prototype A, only now users are able to invite peers to do a challenge with them, and both parties have insight into each other’s progress.
To validate or challenge the hypotheses, data analysis was conducted on the collected research insights. Which were obtained from qualitative and quantitative sources based on results from usability testing. A/B Prototype testing within-subjects was conducted in order to gather statistical data. Results were measured using SUS (System Usability Scale) and IMI (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory) scale. While qualitative analysis, based on post-interview questions, was analyzed through systematic content analysis.
All three hypothesis were disproved by the statistical analysis but validated by the qualitative data. It was found that the new features disrupted user satisfaction, making the user interface more complex. Resulting in users reporting that they prefer prototype A without social features, due to ease of use and straightforward user flow. These findings highlight the need for a more rigorous and systematic approach in the future, considering testing different social features and adopting various design strategies. In order to better evaluate the context of using social features in progress tracking applications.
Project Description

This research study examined how the incorporation of social elements influences user engagement and behavior within progress tracking applications.



Designing for Social Engagement: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Social Features in a Progress Tracking Application

Goal setting and planning are part of our everyday lives, both private and professional. Goals are the first step towards planning for the future and play fundamental role in development of skills in various aspects of life. In an era dominated by social connectivity and social interactions, the integration of social features within mobile applications has become a prominent trend. The addition of social elements introduces a new dimension, allowing users to connect with their peers, share their accomplishments, and collaborate towards common goals. Understanding how social elements influence user behavior and engagement within these applications is crucial for optimizing their design and maximizing their impact on user experience.


User Experience Design
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