Toothfairy (UI/UX Responsive Mobile App Case Study)
ToothFairy
Overview: The primary goal of this project is to develop a user-friendly platform catering to dental hygienists, enabling them to easily find temporary work opportunities. Rooted in five years of personal experience as a dental hygienist and in collaboration with peers in the field, this application addresses a pressing issue faced by dental hygienists: the need for an efficient and accessible system to secure temporary employment.
Client/Organization: DesignLab
Role: UX/UI Designer & researcher, conception to final prototype
Duration: 80 hours
Tools: Figma, Google Form, Miro
"ToothFairy: Revolutionizing dental staffing by connecting offices with hygienists effortlessly.
Our app streamlines temping, fostering efficiency and mutual benefit."
Research
Survey: I conducted surveys to collect quantitative data from dental hygienists. This allowed me to understand their general attitudes, behaviors, and preferences when it comes to finding temporary dental hygiene positions. A 100% response rate was achieved, providing comprehensive insights.
Competitor Analysis: I performed a competitive analysis to assess existing solutions in the market. This involved evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of other platforms that connect professionals with temporary positions, helping me identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation. I discovered some major pain points.
-App glitches/freezes.
-Can have better sorting filters.
-Doesn’t have notifications for certain days/times.
-Poor design and navigation layout.
Background: The key objective of this app is to create a user-friendly platform that connects dental offices with available dental hygienists, enabling both parties to efficiently and easily find temporary work and fill staffing needs. I have been working as a dental hygienist for 5+ years and have experienced firsthand the problem that this project aims to solve. Along with other dental hygienists, I have recognized the need for a more efficient and accessible system for finding temping work or filling temporary vacancies in dental offices, leading to the development of this application.
Process:
Interviews: I conducted remote interviews with dental hygienists, delving into their experiences and motivations for temporary dental hygiene work. The insights gathered offer firsthand perspectives on challenges and motivations.
1- How important is a flexible schedule?
2- How important is it to set your own rate?
3- How important is communicating directly with dental offices?
4- How much time do you spend looking for a position?
5- Do you have any negative experience?
Key insights: These insights were instrumental in shaping the design and functionality of the dental hygienist-focused application, ensuring it addressed the specific needs and challenges of this user group.
Define
Understanding the Problem: The main problem addressed was the challenge dental hygienists face in finding suitable temporary dental hygiene positions, with a focus on improving their ability to secure work that matches their availability and preferences in the dental hygiene field.
Solution: The new solution aimed to enhance the lives of dental hygienists by simplifying their search for temporary dental hygiene positions. This would empower them with more control over their work, leading to increased job satisfaction and improved work-life balance.
User Persona: I crafted a user persona to remind me of the needs and pain points of my target audience and ensure a user-focused approachthroughout the project.
Sitemap: Then I worked on sitemap. A sitemap is a file where you provide information about the pages, videos, and other files on your site, and the relationships between them.
Userflow: User flow in UX refers to the visual representation of a user's journey through a product or website. It outlines the series of steps a user takes to accomplish a specific task, providing a holistic view of their interactions and experiences.
Taskflow: To optimize user experience, we developed a range of user and task flows, concentrating on tailored job searching, flexible schedule management, and seamless pay rate control within our Toothfairy app. These flows drew inspiration from industry insights and card sorting techniques, guaranteeing an effortlessly intuitive user journey.
Ideate
Wireframes and Prototyping
Lo-Fi Wireframes:
Hi-Fi Wireframes:
Design system language: I established a design system language to maintain consistency in future updates.
Prototype: Experience firsthand—try our app prototype for a glimpse into seamless functionality and user-centric design.
Test
During the project, we conducted usability testing to assess the app's user interface and overall user experience. Here's how we executed the testing:
1-Method: We created interactive prototypes of the app to simulate its functionality. These prototypes allowed users to perform tasks, such as viewing the portfolio, submitting an order request, and making a purchase, within a simulated environment.
2-Participants: We assembled a diverse group of participants, encompassing coaches, players, and parents, in order to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the responsive web design.
3-Testing Session: Each testing session was conducted remotely, with participants accessing the prototypes from their own devices. We observed participants as they interacted with the app and performed specific tasks.
4-Tasks: Participants were given three specific tasks: viewing the portfolio, submitting an order request form, and making a purchase. These tasks were designed to assess the web designs functionality and user-friendliness in key areas of the user journey.
5-Feedback: We encouraged participants to provide feedback during and after the testing sessions. This feedback included comments on usability issues, design preferences, and overall satisfaction with the responsive web design.
6-Analysis: We analyzed the data and feedback collected during the testing sessions to identify usability issues, areas for improvement, and aspects of the responsive web design that performed well. This analysis informed iterative design changes to enhance the user experience.
Iterate
Usability Test Iteration: Key Findings
1-Login Task:
-Participants logged in efficiently (average < 2 mins).
-Process described as intuitive, clear, and clean.
-Contributed to a positive initial impression.
2-Booking a Shift:
-Booking task completed with ease (average ~ 3 mins).
-User feedback highlighted straightforward and intuitive processes.
-Interface design praised for clarity and cleanliness.
3-Setting a Shift as Complete:
-Participants navigated this task effortlessly (average < 2 mins).
-No reported challenges during the process.
-User feedback continued to emphasize intuitiveness, clarity, and cleanliness.
User Feedback:
-Interface consistently described as intuitive, easy to understand, and navigate.
-Praise for the clarity of design and straightforward presentation of information.
-Appreciation for the cleanliness of the interface design, enhancing the visual experience.
-Users suggested a homepage redesign to optimize task flows, emphasizing the need for seamless user journeys and improved efficiency.
Conclusion
From this project, I prioritized user needs, design flexibility, and trust in healthcare apps, guiding future work with a focus on iterative design and addressing technical constraints.
Reflecting on past experiences, I recognized the value of early-stage user testing for improved initial concepts.
Emphasizing strong user research and trust-building, I'm proud of creating a user-centered solution for a real-world dental hygiene problem, positively impacting users' lives.
