User-centered based application concept development and evaluation

Abstract

The thesis is about redesigning existing app. The thesis consists of two parts: the product that was created for the real customer and the report describing the background studies and detailed product creation process. The goals of the thesis are to show the importance of the covered topic and to create a successful product at the end using preliminary studies and preparations.

The report part covered background theory about such fundamental design topics as: User Experience, User Interface, Usability, User-centered Design and design tools. The author opened up each topic by summarising knowledge from trusted sources.

The final product is the app design prototype that was requested by the self-service car wash company (called “SAM”) that is located in Russia. The author created the app by following all design stages: research, data analysis, design and prototyping. User testings were conducted as the final stage of the project. The author invited three users for final test and asked them to perform certain task with the final prototype while observing them. Each test was video-recorded for futher analysis and error recognition.

Based on the final user feedback and test results, the project was succesfully completed: users were happy with the final product and managed to accomplish all given tasks. The project had a big potential and made a contribution to self-service car wash "SAM" business. New app is an opportunity to grow new customers as well as to keep customer loyalty.

Implementation of the thesis was carried out following Haaga-Helia guidelines and rules and under supervision of academic advisor.