Learn & discover
The holidays, while joyful, can also be stressful
The holidays, while joyful, can also be stressful
We kicked off our research by looking into how users plan events during the holidays. According to a 2022 C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll of 2,000 people on Children’s Health at the University of Michigan Health:
We kicked off our research by looking into how users plan events during the holidays. According to a 2022 C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll of 2,000 people on Children’s Health at the University of Michigan Health:
18%
18%
of surveyed people describe their stress as high during the holidays
23%
23%
noted planning for family events to be stressful
14%
14%
faced criticism from family about holiday plans to be stressful
What makes the event planning so difficult?
What makes the event planning so difficult?
To support these findings, we interviewed a prospective user who considers herself the “family planner” as she is typically in charge of her family gatherings. She shared some of the challenges that she comes across in her current process, like how it’s always so hard to get everyone on the same page, and communicate with each-other. She included an example of one of her mass emails (below) that she sends out during planning- hoping people will respond on time.
To support these findings, we interviewed a prospective user who considers herself the “family planner” as she is typically in charge of her family gatherings. She shared some of the challenges that she comes across in her current process, like how it’s always so hard to get everyone on the same page, and communicate with each-other. She included an example of one of her mass emails (below) that she sends out during planning- hoping people will respond on time.
From here, she has to manage responses from everyone through calls, texts, and emails, through a never-ending exchange opinions and changes. “It’s exhausting.”
From here, she has to manage responses from everyone through calls, texts, and emails, through a never-ending exchange opinions and changes. “It’s exhausting.”
We synthesized our research into these key frictions
We synthesized our research into these key frictions
It’s hard to include everyone in the planning
It’s hard to include everyone in the planning
Coordinating everyone's schedules and catering to diverse interests and age groups presents a significant challenge.
Coordinating everyone's schedules and catering to diverse interests and age groups presents a significant challenge.
Inefficient communication
Inefficient communication
Talking to everyone, and sharing events and ideas through text, phone calls, email, etc is difficult.
Talking to everyone, and sharing events and ideas through text, phone calls, email, etc is difficult.
Everyone has an opinion
Everyone has an opinion
It’s difficult to align on expectations across all group members considering everyone has different wants and interests.
It’s difficult to align on expectations across all group members considering everyone has different wants and interests.
Has this been solved in the marketplace?
Has this been solved in the marketplace?
Keeping these frictions in mind, we began looking at direct, and indirect competitors that offer search and booking events- to see if and how they address these problems. Below is our competitive analysis board.
Keeping these frictions in mind, we began looking at direct, and indirect competitors that offer search and booking events- to see if and how they address these problems. Below is our competitive analysis board.
Our competitive analysis revealed a surprising gap in the market
Our competitive analysis revealed a surprising gap in the market
While the existing apps excel at helping users find events, they fail to facilitate collaborative decision-making. Users are forced to rely on clunky workarounds like sharing links or individual invitations, leading to a disjointed planning process. What's needed is a comprehensive collaboration feature that enables groups to review and decide on events together, in one place. By streamlining this process, we can ensure everyone is on the same page and reduce the likelihood of scheduling conflicts or missed events.
While the existing apps excel at helping users find events, they fail to facilitate collaborative decision-making. Users are forced to rely on clunky workarounds like sharing links or individual invitations, leading to a disjointed planning process. What's needed is a comprehensive collaboration feature that enables groups to review and decide on events together, in one place. By streamlining this process, we can ensure everyone is on the same page and reduce the likelihood of scheduling conflicts or missed events.
Through analysis we found several areas of opportunity for improvement, such asschedule management between collaborators and integration with existing calender apps, as well as information recognition and categorization of event types.
However, we found the the biggest, and primary area for improvement that could have the biggest impact on the experience is:
Through analysis we found several areas of opportunity for improvement, such asschedule management between collaborators and integration with existing calender apps, as well as information recognition and categorization of event types.
However, we found the the biggest, and primary area for improvement that could have the biggest impact on the experience is:
Our focus
Our focus
Collaborative planning
Collaborative planning
All of these apps have a favorite / save functionality but none have a fully functional collaborative way to “review and decide” together.
All of these apps have a favorite / save functionality but none have a fully functional collaborative way to “review and decide” together.
Learn & discover
The holidays, while joyful, can also be stressful
We kicked off our research by looking into how users plan events during the holidays. According to a 2022 C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll of 2,000 people on Children’s Health at the University of Michigan Health:
18%
of surveyed people describe their stress as high during the holidays
23%
noted planning for family events to be stressful
14%
faced criticism from family about holiday plans to be stressful
From here, she has to manage responses from everyone through calls, texts, and emails, through a never-ending exchange opinions and changes. “It’s exhausting.”
We synthesized our research into these key frictions
It’s hard to include everyone in the planning
Coordinating everyone's schedules and catering to diverse interests and age groups presents a significant challenge.
Inefficient communication
Talking to everyone, and sharing events and ideas through text, phone calls, email, etc is difficult.
Everyone has an opinion
It’s difficult to align on expectations across all group members considering everyone has different wants and interests.
Has this been solved in the marketplace?
Keeping these frictions in mind, we began looking at direct, and indirect competitors that offer search and booking events- to see if and how they address these problems. Below is our competitive analysis board.
Our competitive analysis revealed a surprising gap in the market
While the existing apps excel at helping users find events, they fail to facilitate collaborative decision-making. Users are forced to rely on clunky workarounds like sharing links or individual invitations, leading to a disjointed planning process. What's needed is a comprehensive collaboration feature that enables groups to review and decide on events together, in one place. By streamlining this process, we can ensure everyone is on the same page and reduce the likelihood of scheduling conflicts or missed events.
Through analysis we found several areas of opportunity for improvement, such asschedule management between collaborators and integration with existing calender apps, as well as information recognition and categorization of event types.
However, we found the the biggest, and primary area for improvement that could have the biggest impact on the experience is:
Our focus
Our focus
Collaborative planning
All of these apps have a favorite / save functionality but none have a fully functional collaborative way to “review and decide” together.
What makes the event planning so difficult?
To support these findings, we interviewed a prospective user who considers herself the “family planner” as she is typically in charge of her family gatherings. She shared some of the challenges that she comes across in her current process, like how it’s always so hard to get everyone on the same page, and communicate with each-other. She included an example of one of her mass emails (below) that she sends out during planning- hoping people will respond on time.
Learn & discover
Define & align
It became clear that the problem to solve here, was not discovering events but rather coming to an agreement on which to attend. The question became:
It became clear that the problem to solve here, was not discovering events but rather coming to an agreement on which to attend. The question became:
It became clear that the problem to solve here, was not discovering events but rather coming to an agreement on which to attend. The question became:
How might we create a more inclusive and engaging experience that enables every family member to have a say in the planning and selection process?
How might we create a more inclusive and engaging experience that enables every family member to have a say in the planning and selection process?
How might we create a more inclusive and engaging experience that enables every family member to have a say in the planning and selection process?
Who are we designing for?
Who are we designing for?
Who are we designing for?
With a clear understanding of the problem, market landscape, and consumer trends, we shifted our focus to identifying our end users and their needs. Our research revealed two primary personas:
With a clear understanding of the problem, market landscape, and consumer trends, we shifted our focus to identifying our end users and their needs. Our research revealed two primary personas:
With a clear understanding of the problem, market landscape, and consumer trends, we shifted our focus to identifying our end users and their needs. Our research revealed two primary personas:
the host
who struggles to incorporate everyone's preferences into the planning process
View host persona
View host persona
the attendee
who wants to ensure their needs are considered
View attendee persona
View attendee persona
the host
the host
who struggles to incorporate everyone's preferences into the planning process
who struggles to incorporate everyone's preferences into the planning process
View host persona
View host persona
the attendee
the attendee
who wants to ensure their needs are considered
who wants to ensure their needs are considered
View attendee persona
View attendee persona
By understanding the specific challenges and goals of these user types, we can tailor our solution to effectively address their pain points and create a more inclusive and satisfying experience for all.
By understanding the specific challenges and goals of these user types, we can tailor our solution to effectively address their pain points and create a more inclusive and satisfying experience for all.
By understanding the specific challenges and goals of these user types, we can tailor our solution to effectively address their pain points and create a more inclusive and satisfying experience for all.
Mapping ideas and features
Mapping ideas and features
Our mind map was used to visually organize information and create connections between ideas. Revealing patterns and insights that helped us see the big picture and understand how different elements fit together.
Our mind map was used to visually organize information and create connections between ideas. Revealing patterns and insights that helped us see the big picture and understand how different elements fit together.
Our mind map was used to visually organize information and create connections between ideas. Revealing patterns and insights that helped us see the big picture and understand how different elements fit together.
We expanded on the features from our mind mapping exercise and grouped them by user role
We expanded on the features from our mind mapping exercise and grouped them by user role
We modified the names our user types slightly- to better define what they are doing when using the app. The host remains a host, and the “attendee” persona becomes a “collaborator.”
We modified the names our user types slightly- to better define what they are doing when using the app. The host remains a host, and the “attendee” persona becomes a “collaborator.”
We modified the names our user types slightly- to better define what they are doing when using the app. The host remains a host, and the “attendee” persona becomes a “collaborator.”
Host features
Host features
Multiple different saved groups of events (like wishlists)
Within in each wishlist- multiple events to browse
Invite collaborators
Turn on “voting mode”
Filter events
Use AI to indicate top voted, or most available event, etc
See who added event
Set deadline for collaboration
Finalize event selection
Send split bill for checkout
Add comments notes and updates
Multiple different saved groups of events (like wishlists)
Within in each wishlist- multiple events to browse
Invite collaborators
Turn on “voting mode”
Filter events
Use AI to indicate top voted, or most available event, etc
See who added event
Set deadline for collaboration
Finalize event selection
Send split bill for checkout
Add comments notes and updates
collaborator features
collaborator features
React to events
Filters events
Vote/ rank?
Synch calendar?
Add events for consideration
See who added event
Ddd final event to calendar
RSVP to final event
React to events
Filters events
Vote/ rank?
Synch calendar?
Add events for consideration
See who added event
Ddd final event to calendar
RSVP to final event
Prioritizing features
Prioritizing features
Prioritizing features
After collecting all the features we might want to include we prioritized them using a feasibility prioritization matrix. This validated a voting method as a the most impactful way to solve the problem, and standout in the market.
After collecting all the features we might want to include we prioritized them using a feasibility prioritization matrix. This validated a voting method as a the most impactful way to solve the problem, and standout in the market.
After collecting all the features we might want to include we prioritized them using a feasibility prioritization matrix. This validated a voting method as a the most impactful way to solve the problem, and standout in the market.
Defining the journey
Defining the journey
Defining the journey
Next we started mapping out the user journey to understand the steps and experiences that the host and attendee would go through. This helped identify pain points, opportunities for improvement, and moments where we can delight our users.
We identified the main stages of the user journey here, and decided to focus on the “voting” stage as the unique feature that distinguishes Gatherplan from the marketplace, and allows maximum collaboration.
Next we started mapping out the user journey to understand the steps and experiences that the host and attendee would go through. This helped identify pain points, opportunities for improvement, and moments where we can delight our users.
We identified the main stages of the user journey here, and decided to focus on the “voting” stage as the unique feature that distinguishes Gatherplan from the marketplace, and allows maximum collaboration.
Next we started mapping out the user journey to understand the steps and experiences that the host and attendee would go through. This helped identify pain points, opportunities for improvement, and moments where we can delight our users.
We identified the main stages of the user journey here, and decided to focus on the “voting” stage as the unique feature that distinguishes Gatherplan from the marketplace, and allows maximum collaboration.
Search & discover
Search & discover
Search & discover
Browsing a map or list view to discover local events
Browsing a map or list view to discover local events
Browsing a map or list view to discover local events
Collaborate
Collaborate
Collaborate
Create and manage groups, inviting others to join and contribute to the event planning process
Create and manage groups, inviting others to join and contribute to the event planning process
Create and manage groups, inviting others to join and contribute to the event planning process
Vote
Vote
Vote
Set voting parameters, and then all collaborator vote for their preferred events
Set voting parameters, and then all collaborator vote for their preferred events
Set voting parameters, and then all collaborator vote for their preferred events
Results & purchase
Results & purchase
Results & purchase
View results of the group vote, purchase event tickets, and attend event
View results of the group vote, purchase event tickets, and attend event
View results of the group vote, purchase event tickets, and attend event
Lay of the land
Lay of the land
Lay of the land
With our features prioritized, we then mapped out the page structure of the app to visualize the pages we’d need to build. The information architecture is divided into four main categories: Explore, Groups, My Tickets, and Profile.
With our features prioritized, we then mapped out the page structure of the app to visualize the pages we’d need to build. The information architecture is divided into four main categories: Explore, Groups, My Tickets, and Profile.
With our features prioritized, we then mapped out the page structure of the app to visualize the pages we’d need to build. The information architecture is divided into four main categories: Explore, Groups, My Tickets, and Profile.
Define & align
Define & align
Ideate & design
How will the voting work?
How will the voting work?
How will the voting work?
With the blueprint of our IA, we began sketching out preliminary drafts of the main collaboration features in an effort to start visualizing features- but we still had a big question to answer: What type of voting will this be and how will it work?
We investigated various voting systems and chose simple voting due to its efficiency and low cognitive load, enabling quick decisions with minimal user stress. While we considered more complex voting methods like preferential voting to ensure fair representation, we determined that simplicity aligned better with our users' needs (seen below), striking a balance between exclusivity and usability.
User needs:
Casual and friendly
Ease of use
Accurate reflection of preferences
Quick decision-making
With the blueprint of our IA, we began sketching out preliminary drafts of the main collaboration features in an effort to start visualizing features- but we still had a big question to answer: What type of voting will this be and how will it work?
We investigated various voting systems and chose simple voting due to its efficiency and low cognitive load, enabling quick decisions with minimal user stress. While we considered more complex voting methods like preferential voting to ensure fair representation, we determined that simplicity aligned better with our users' needs (seen below), striking a balance between exclusivity and usability.
User needs:
Casual and friendly
Ease of use
Accurate reflection of preferences
Quick decision-making
With the blueprint of our IA, we began sketching out preliminary drafts of the main collaboration features in an effort to start visualizing features- but we still had a big question to answer: What type of voting will this be and how will it work?
We investigated various voting systems and chose simple voting due to its efficiency and low cognitive load, enabling quick decisions with minimal user stress. While we considered more complex voting methods like preferential voting to ensure fair representation, we determined that simplicity aligned better with our users' needs (seen below), striking a balance between exclusivity and usability.
User needs:
Casual and friendly
Ease of use
Accurate reflection of preferences
Quick decision-making
The voting components we landed on
The voting components we landed on
The voting components we landed on
Although we utilize a voting system, the last thing we wanted to create were politics! The voting system needed to be easy, quick, and ideally fun for our users.
Although we utilize a voting system, the last thing we wanted to create were politics! The voting system needed to be easy, quick, and ideally fun for our users.
Although we utilize a voting system, the last thing we wanted to create were politics! The voting system needed to be easy, quick, and ideally fun for our users.
For voting (as a host and/or a guest)
For voting (as a host and/or a guest)
Voting Cards
Voting Cards
Voting Cards
Keeping a consistent event card design throughout the app, ensures that all event details are easily accessible while voting.
The voting count encourages engagement and let users preview how events are stacking up.
Keeping a consistent event card design throughout the app, ensures that all event details are easily accessible while voting.
The voting count encourages engagement and let users preview how events are stacking up.
Keeping a consistent event card design throughout the app, ensures that all event details are easily accessible while voting.
The voting count encourages engagement and let users preview how events are stacking up.
Voting tracker
Voting tracker
Voting tracker
This sticky “votes remaining” tracker allows users to always see how many votes they have in view.
The CTA to confirm their votes, gives users a chance to review their choices before submitting
This sticky “votes remaining” tracker allows users to always see how many votes they have in view.
The CTA to confirm their votes, gives users a chance to review their choices before submitting
This sticky “votes remaining” tracker allows users to always see how many votes they have in view.
The CTA to confirm their votes, gives users a chance to review their choices before submitting
For configuring the voting session (as a host)
For configuring the voting session (as a host)
Voting mode toggle
Voting mode toggle
Voting mode toggle
This toggle empowers the host to customize and activate a “voting mode,” to encourage focusing on the goal of decision making. No new events can be added during this state.
This gives the host a clear end time of when a decision will be made- which is a major point point for “real-life hosts.”
This toggle empowers the host to customize and activate a “voting mode,” to encourage focusing on the goal of decision making. No new events can be added during this state.
This gives the host a clear end time of when a decision will be made- which is a major point point for “real-life hosts.”
This toggle empowers the host to customize and activate a “voting mode,” to encourage focusing on the goal of decision making. No new events can be added during this state.
This gives the host a clear end time of when a decision will be made- which is a major point point for “real-life hosts.”
Host’s notes
Host’s notes
Host’s notes
Sometimes context is needed, so we wanted to allow a notes component to let the host personalize the experience for the group.
Sometimes context is needed, so we wanted to allow a notes component to let the host personalize the experience for the group.
Sometimes context is needed, so we wanted to allow a notes component to let the host personalize the experience for the group.
Ideate & design
Ideate & design
Package & deliver
We created a component library for consistency and efficiency in designging the rest of the main happy path screens and prototype
We created a component library for consistency and efficiency in designging the rest of the main happy path screens and prototype
We created a component library for consistency and efficiency in designging the rest of the main happy path screens and prototype
We delivered final screens for the main phases of the user journey
We delivered final screens for the main phases of the user journey
We delivered final screens for the main phases of the user journey
Search & discover
Search & discover
Search & discover
Collaborate
Collaborate
Collaborate
Voting
Voting
Voting
Results & purchase
Results & purchase
Results & purchase
Future feature additions
Future feature additions
Future feature additions
In the next iteration of our app, we plan to enhance user engagement by introducing chat functionality, allowing users to discuss and coordinate events in real-time. Additionally, we will implement calendar syncing and conflict resolution to ensure seamless integration with users' personal calendars. We will also enable commenting and liking on other users' events within groups, fostering a sense of community. Furthermore, our scheduling assistant will provide personalized event suggestions based on users' interests and availability. Users will also be able to RSVP to purchased events and even create and share their own custom events, further expanding the app's capabilities and user engagement.
In the next iteration of our app, we plan to enhance user engagement by introducing chat functionality, allowing users to discuss and coordinate events in real-time. Additionally, we will implement calendar syncing and conflict resolution to ensure seamless integration with users' personal calendars. We will also enable commenting and liking on other users' events within groups, fostering a sense of community. Furthermore, our scheduling assistant will provide personalized event suggestions based on users' interests and availability. Users will also be able to RSVP to purchased events and even create and share their own custom events, further expanding the app's capabilities and user engagement.
In the next iteration of our app, we plan to enhance user engagement by introducing chat functionality, allowing users to discuss and coordinate events in real-time. Additionally, we will implement calendar syncing and conflict resolution to ensure seamless integration with users' personal calendars. We will also enable commenting and liking on other users' events within groups, fostering a sense of community. Furthermore, our scheduling assistant will provide personalized event suggestions based on users' interests and availability. Users will also be able to RSVP to purchased events and even create and share their own custom events, further expanding the app's capabilities and user engagement.
Package & deliver
Package & deliver
Wrap up
Next steps
Next steps
Next steps
Due to time constraints of the contest we were unable to conduct usability and moderated testing. While we are confident in our approach we plan to do this in the future to identify frictions in the experience and further evaluate the features and interactions.
Due to time constraints of the contest we were unable to conduct usability and moderated testing. While we are confident in our approach we plan to do this in the future to identify frictions in the experience and further evaluate the features and interactions.
Due to time constraints of the contest we were unable to conduct usability and moderated testing. While we are confident in our approach we plan to do this in the future to identify frictions in the experience and further evaluate the features and interactions.