This project was conducted during my Post-graduate program in UXD at St Lawrence College in Kingston, Canada.
Limestone City Bike Share operates as a bike-sharing initiative, catering to individuals without bicycles, including tourists and pedestrians. The company recognizes the need for a user-friendly website that effectively highlights pricing options, pickup/drop-off locations, and a comprehensive system map. This digital platform plays a crucial role in providing essential information to potential users, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience for those exploring the city on shared bicycles.
The objective is to increase bike-sharing usage, reducing pollution and greenhouse gases, while providing an eco-friendly transportation option for tourists. Additionally, the aim is to enhance Kingston's economy and promote healthier living in the community. To achieve this, a user-friendly website will be developed, facilitating easy bike rentals and access to pick-up/drop-off points for a smooth biking experience in Kingston.
The decision to identify two personas, visitors and future residents, in the bike-sharing project acknowledges their distinct needs. This strategic approach tailors the system to diverse user requirements, accommodating varied usage patterns for short-term recreation and long-term commuting. This ensures alignment with environmental goals, supports economic prospects through tourist attraction, and encourages healthier living, addressing both short-term and long-term objectives for Kingston.
Competitive Analysis
I conducted a comprehensive competitive analysis as part of my secondary research, focusing on various bike rental companies. The companies under examination include Bike Share Toronto, i-Cycle situated at Fort Henry in Kingston, Ahoy Rentals in Kingston, and Hamilton Bike Share.
Card Sorting
For this project a closed card sorting was conducted considering the most 6 common categories from the competitor (About, pricing, activities, help, how does it work?, Map).
Optimal workshop was used for this project and 7 participants completed the card sorting.
The majority of the obtained results were positive. Nonetheless, users encountered challenges when categorizing 'Memberships and Rentals.' Consequently, the decision was made to eliminate the 'Rental' label, incorporating it within the 'How does it work' page. Additionally, some users incorrectly placed the 'Memberships' label within the 'How does it work?' section. To address this, it will be repositioned as a subcategory within the Pricing section for clearer navigation.
3 tasks were conducted during the Tree Jacking. 7 people completed this test.
Individuals demonstrated a high level of comprehension for each task, surpassing the clarity observed in the card sorting activity. Numerous successes, both direct and indirect, were recorded. It's worth noting that some users might not have thoroughly read the tasks, leading to variations in their responses. The conclusive labels were determined based on the insights gathered during the Tree Jack analysis, providing a robust foundation for the final decision-making process.
To validate the workflow and prototype, I organized a usability testing session involving five participants. The key tasks assigned to the participants were as follows:
By observing participants' interactions with these key tasks, valuable insights were gathered to assess the effectiveness and user-friendliness of the website's workflow and prototype.
Typography
I selected the Muli typography for this project because it offers a clean and friendly aesthetic, aligning well with the project's objectives. Muli is a versatile font known for its readability, making it an ideal choice for ensuring that content is easily accessible to users. Its ready and approachable design contributes to a positive user experience, promoting clarity and visual appeal throughout the project.
I opted for earthy colors to represent nature, sustainability, and bikes in this project. Earthy tones evoke a sense of harmony with the natural environment, aligning with the project's focus on eco-friendliness and outdoor elements. By incorporating these colors, I aim to convey a connection to the earth, emphasizing the project's commitment to sustainability and the use of bikes as an environmentally conscious mode of transportation.
I chose rounded iconography for this project with the intention of imparting a sense of movement while maintaining a friendly aesthetic. The rounded shapes create a dynamic and fluid visual language, symbolizing the project's emphasis on motion, energy, and a welcoming atmosphere. This design choice aims to evoke a friendly and approachable feel, enhancing the overall user experience by visually communicating the project's values of movement and amicability.