OpenCourt
Booking Basketball Courts
Made Easy
The goal was to simplify the process of finding, booking, and managing basketball court reservations.
Timeline
From research to final designs in 4 months
Background
The basketball court rental app will be designed to simplify the process of finding and booking basketball courts. It will provide users with a centralized platform to search for courts based on location, availability, price, and amenities.
We aim to remove the pain points of traditional court rentals, offering a smooth and efficient way to play more and worry less.
This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, analysis, design, and validation.
Research
I performed secondary research on the basketball rental market, identifying gaps like a lack of centralized platforms, limited information, and unclear cancel/reschedule processes. Competitor analysis and user interviews provided a deeper understanding of these pain points.
Analysis
The data from the interviews were analyzed through affinity and empathy maps that revealed key themes of transparency and cancel/reschedule.
Introducing our personas, Jordan & Grace, that synthesize insights into a relatable, actionable representation of our user. Paired with their user stories, like "Jordan wants to search for available courts in his area so that he can quickly find a place to play," ensure my design addresses their needs.
Design
I created sketches to explore layout ideas and quickly iterate on solutions for Jordan & Grace. Wireframes refined these concepts, focusing on two key features that would begin to define user flows and functionality.
Key information at a glance
wireframe
Cancel/Reschedule button
wireframe
Validation
We developed low- and high-fidelity prototypes to refine the booking experience and test usability. Two rounds of testing provided feedback on navigation and clarity, guiding iterative improvements to meet Jordan & Grace's needs.
Key findings from round 1
Clarity of Filters Being Applied:
The lack of clear visual indicators made it difficult for users to confirm that their filter selections were being reflected in the results.
Filter Reset Functionality:
Some users expressed frustration as they were looking for an easy way to reset filters. They expected a simple option to clear their filter choices.
Confirmation Email Notification:
The absence of this email confirmation left them uncertain about the status of their actions, highlighting a need for better communication around transaction updates.
Key findings from round 2
No issues encountered.
What worked well:
Visual Design & Layout: Users responded positively to the visual design and layout, noting that it was clean, modern, and easy to navigate.
Seamless Cancellation/Rescheduling Process: The cancellation and rescheduling process was well received, with users finding it straightforward and intuitive.
Pop-up Modals for Key Actions: The use of pop-up modals for important actions worked well, as users appreciated the clear prompts and confirmations.
The absence of issues in Round 2 confirmed that the design updates met Jordan & Grace's needs and resolved pain points, ensuring that they will have a seamless experience.
The solution is a user-friendly, centralized platform that allows Jordan & Grace to find, book, and manage basketball court rentals.
Comprehensive Info
This feature provides users Jordan & Grace essential details, such as amenities, facility features, and detailed user reviews, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when booking a court.
Hassle-free Rescheduling
Jordan & Grace can view their existing reservations, select a new date and time from available slots, and confirm changes instantly, all within the app.
Simple Cancellations
Jordan & Grace can quickly and effortlessly cancel their bookings with minimal steps.
Here, the outcomes and achievements of the project are highlighted, which includes a reflection on the project, what turned out well and what the potential next steps are
Reflection
Looking back, before starting the project, if I conducted more extensive competitor analysis that would have provided more insights into best practices, helping me avoid missteps earlier in the process.
Regardless, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how to effectively navigate the UX design process, from research to prototyping. I learned the importance of iterative testing and refining designs based on user feedback, ensuring that every feature aligns with user needs.
What went well?
A success in this project was the development of the high-fidelity prototype, which effectively addressed key pain points for personas Jordan and Grace. This ensured a user-centered design foundation before conducting the first round of usability testing.
Next steps?
Potential next steps include implementing additional features to address unexplored user stories. For example, allowing users to view their booking history to quickly rebook favorite courts or reference past rentals, and providing options for non-traditional spaces to expand availability and convenience.