How can we create an intuitive experience for both new and experienced paddleboarders in order to enhance their enjoyment and ease of learning?
Goal
Create an intuitive experience for both new and experienced paddleboarders to enhance their enjoyment and ease of learning.
Introduction
Development
Product Overview
Ride the Waves with Wave: Your Paddleboard Partner
Video Prototype Showcase
Process
Prompt
Advance an interaction that is meaningful to you.
This project allowed us to choose an interaction that is meaningful to me. I enjoy paddleboarding, so I was curious about how I could explore enhancing the hobby.
Newcomer Observations
🤔
Uncertainty In setup
😰
Physical Effort Required
🧐
Lack of Clear Next Steps
I was curious to see how a beginner who has never gone paddleboarding handles the initial inflation process, so I observed newcomers who had never tried it before.
Story board: the paddleboard inflation process
Paddleboarding Process
Anaylsis
Paddleboarding, is not intuitive, especially for newcomers who have never done a water activity. The assembly process has many unclear steps, with no guiding manual unless you use the internet. Pumping the board itself is also unclear, let alone disassembling the board to put it back in the bag.
Many don’t think about the water conditions and if not set up correctly, being out on the water can become dangerous.
This storyboard shows viewers what the inflation process of a paddleboard is. It gives context for those who are unfamiliar with paddleboarding.
Never go into something you think you can do on the spot. Give yourself extra time and always research beforehand to have an idea of what you are going into.
If I had invested time in learning how to use a gimbal and track objects before the shoot, I could have concentrated more on the creative aspects and less on the technical challenges. The same applies to tracking. Rushing and assuming something is 'easy' will only lead to undesirable results.
😼
Lesson Learned
Thank you Farrel Sudrajat and Ricardo Torres for helping me film this prototype. I couldn't have done it with you! 💪
Before filming began, I assumed I could quickly learn how to use a gimbal and track screens on the spot. However, with the limited time I had to shoot, I wasn’t able to learn how to use the gimbal efficiently. I ended up spending half of my time just trying to figure out how to operate the gimbal and track an object.
😠
Gimbal and Tracking are deceptively complicated
😃
This project was really fun. I love trying new mediums and exploring how things I do in my personal life can be influenced by design. In general, this was one of the first big video projects I had ever been assigned. I didn’t have much prior video experience before this project, but I came away with a lot of new skills and lessons. Here are the lessons:
The First for Everything
Reflection
The Problems
😟 Assembly process has many unclear steps
⚠️ Improper setup and unawareness can lead to dangerous situations
😤 Inflation and deflation are difficult
Problems
😧 Assembly process has many unclear steps
⚠️ Improper setup and unawareness can lead to dangerous situations
😤 Inflation and deflation are difficult
Target Audience
🧐
Primary
Newcomers
People who have never used or inflated a paddleboard before.
😮💨
Secondary
Knowledgeable
People who have used or inflated a paddleboard before.
Design
Medium
Watch
Tracks activity data with sensors
Durability and water resistance
Used for multiple activities
Compact and lightweight
Quick glance information
Larger screen for more detailed information
More app functionality and features
Easier user interaction
High-quality camera
Phone
The watch was chosen as my design medium because watches are commonly used in water-related activities. Being out on open water also increases the risk of losing your phone.
I also wanted to explore a new medium!
Color
A common concept throughout my projects is ensuring that the color scheme of the interface reflects the essence of the product, team, or object. Using a variable color that changes based on the context creates a sense of unity between the UI and the overall experience.
Theme
Paddleboarding is a fun activity that allows you to explore your environment from a new perspective, whether it's during the day or at night.
I made it a priority to ensure these screens are viewable at any time of the day.
Prototype
Verbal Audio Coach
The onboarding process offers users the option to have a verbal coach named Wave, who makes the paddleboard inflation process much less confusing and more fun!
Inflation Progress Meter
A digital progress meter offers users a clear indication of their current progress and how much more is needed to finish.
A Stand Up Paddleboard Companion
A companion that guides, tracks, and trains you in paddleboarding.
Type
Class: Visual Storytelling
Individual Project
Timeframe
May 2024 — 3 Weeks
Disciplines
Interface Design
Video Prototype
Tools
After Effects
Figma
Photoshop
Premiere Pro
Voice Actor
William Olson
More screens
Due to the timeline of this project, I focused on creating screens for each unique feature rather than covering the entire flow. If I revisit this project, I would design additional screens to better showcase the navigational flow.
Create a connected mobile app
I would design a companion app for mobile devices to extend functionality and improve accessibility. Some features on this app could include:
Explore Extra Features
During the process of brainstorming features to showcase, I wanted to include an action dashboard—a dashboard that would be available to the paddleboarder while on the water. Some features, in addition to media controls, would include:
Next Steps
Board Safety Lights
Explore Extra Features
During the process of brainstorming features to showcase, I wanted to include an action dashboard—a dashboard that would be available to the paddleboarder while on the water. Some features, in addition to media controls, would include:
SOS Detector and Location Sharing
Customizable Layout
Next Steps
More screens
Due to the timeline of this project, I focused on creating screens for each unique feature rather than covering the entire flow. If I revisit this project, I would design additional screens to better showcase the navigational flow.
Create a Connected Mobile App
I would design a companion app for mobile devices to extend functionality and improve accessibility. Some features on this app could include:
Activity Tracking
Launch Point Finder
Weather Updates
Social Hub
Story board: the paddleboard inflation process
This storyboard shows viewers what the inflation process of a paddleboard is. It gives context for those who are unfamiliar with paddleboarding.
Visual Animated Steps
Onscreen visual instructions are animated to make it easier to understand how to complete tasks during the paddleboard inflation process.
Safety and Conditions Alert System
As the user is about to head onto the water, Wave informs them about wind and water conditions, warns them of any potential dangers, and advises if any extra precautions need to be taken.
Reflection
😃 The First for Everything
🧐 Gimbal and Tracking are Deceptively Complicated
☑️ Lesson Learned
This project was really fun. I love trying new mediums and exploring how things I do in my personal life can be influenced by design. In general, this was one of the first big video projects I had ever been assigned. I didn’t have much prior video experience before this project, but I came away with a lot of new skills and lessons.
Before filming began, I assumed I could quickly learn how to use a gimbal and track screens on the spot. However, with the limited time I had to shoot, I wasn’t able to learn how to use the gimbal efficiently. I ended up spending half of my time just trying to figure out how to operate the gimbal and track an object.
Never go into something you think you can do on the spot. Give yourself extra time and always research beforehand to have an idea of what you are going into.
If I had invested time in learning how to use a gimbal and track objects before the shoot, I could have concentrated more on the creative aspects and less on the technical challenges. The same applies to tracking. Rushing and assuming something is 'easy' will only lead to undesirable results.
Thank you Farrel Sudrajat, William Olson (Voice Actor), and Ricardo Torres for helping me film this prototype. I couldn't have done it without you! 💪