When challenged to create a user interface for a smart watch, I was faced with the exciting task of deciding what issue my application would help the user overcome. I began to brainstorm an array of factors that individuals encounter everyday that would require a device attached to their person. From the broad headings: fitness, safety, education, travel and money - I was able to narrow my connections as I found the intersecting of fitness and safety very interesting.
Local paddle boarders on the North Coast
More images from local paddle boarder clubs
As the Covid-19 restrictions began to lift in 2021, I began paddle boarding and kayaking along Northern Ireland’s coastlines and lakes as an exciting, safe and sociable form of exercise. However, as open water hobbies like paddle boarding and kayaking continue to soar in popularity in recent years - as has the number of dangerous incidents reported by the RNLI. Large bodies of open water provide several risk factors including high speed winds, fast currents, turbulent tides and riptides which can cause even the most experienced swimmer to get into potentially fatal circumstances. I have decided to design a smart watch application which allows an individual participating in sports like paddle boarding, surfing or kayaking, to easily survey their environment for potentially dangerous conditions and also in a worst case scenario - quickly alert emergency services for help.
Infographic taken from the RNLI website highlighting the high number of incidents which occur everyday along UK Coastlines
(Above and Right) Data provided by RNLI 2021 Report highlights that safety at sea is a prevalent issue to be tackled to ensure safety of civilians
As I mind mapped, I concluded that a smart watch would be an ideal device to host this application as from my own experience it is difficult to access and navigate a mobile phone secured within a sealed, waterproof bag that is hanging from the individuals neck (during my user research, I learn from individuals in my target audience that this proved a common issue). In contrast, I believe that a smart watch physically attached to the individual’s wrist while on the water could ensure efficient access to features like calling the RNLI in a case of emergency. From my user research, I also found that individuals were hesitant to risk their mobile phones getting lost or damaged at sea but were much more willing to take a waterproof smart watch out.
(above) Mindmapping different situations individuals at sea fact
After deciding on a broad idea for my smart watch user interface app, I began to consider who my user base was and what would be helpful for them when on large bodies of water. I created several mind maps (as seen below) as I brainstormed which I allowed me to gather a detailed collection of all the aspects of outdoor water activities that could potentially connect to or effect the app including: What physical equipment is used? What technology is used? Who participates in these activities and why? This was a really helpful exercise as I realised digital media was a key feature I relied on for going out on the water - especially the weather application: Windy.
To gather a more detailed understanding on the issues that other beginners at sea faced, I created a user persona to enhance my understanding of that frustrations and personal experience paddle boarders, kayakers etc., had. I collected anecdotes from friends to create the user persona below.
As highlighted in this user persona, Hannah struggled with the issues I had begun to brainstorm previously including concerns about accessing her mobile phone in an emergency while at sea.
Overall, the user persona highlighted that the goal of this digital product would be to create a sense of security for amateur to intermediate users wishing to take part in sports on open-bodies of water.
Windy is a mobile app which provides a vast amount of data and updates on sea conditions both locally and internationally. The app provides users with a vast array of content from weather forecasts; wind speed and direction; coordinates and also local message forums. However, as Hannah points out in the user persona above - this content is very overwhelming for a non-professional user. Therefore, it is important - especially due to the small, screen size, I keep the content as minimal and clear as possible; prioritising data that is valuable to users like tide times and weather updates.
However, this research was also very useful in providing me with an idea of what symbols and data visualisation is utilised by those at sea. I was able to make a note of the importance of colour theory to represent the urgency of environmental situations.
(above left) Screenshots taken from the Windy app which highlight its high volume of complicated data (above right) Sketches of Windy app