case study #uxresearch #uxui
welcome to GottaGo, a theoretical mobile application prototype that lets users find clean and safe restrooms when they "gotta go" on the go. it includes an interactive map and favoriting capabilities, and is backed up by transparent user reviews. a highlight of its design is the intuitive GoPass feature, which allows access to restrooms previously restricted behind a paywall.
my role: UX designer, part of a team of 4
timeline: 4 week project
tools: figma, figjam
users need to be able to track down reliable restrooms when in unfamiliar places. as evidenced in our research, user’s concerns center around safety and cleanliness.
- create an application with excellent design and functionality
- devise a new feature that sets GottaGo apart
- maximize transparent user-driven reviews
to identify the problems users face when trying to find a restroom and with using other restroom apps, we implimented a number of user research strategies.
we interviewed potential users to extrapolate their expectations from an app like GottaGo and their behaviors surrounding restroom selection. here are our outcomes:
app priorities: easy to use, transparent reviews, live updates, directions, no paid subscription
facility priorities: cleanliness, safety, easy accessibility (no passcode or having to purchase something to enter), brand familiarity
there are a number of applications similar to GottaGo on the market and it was a priority of ours to set ourselves apart. based on our competitor analysis, we focused on three different areas to make this happen:
- beautiful design that functions seamlessly - something other apps lack
- ensuring our reviews are as accurate and detailed as possible
- solving the problem of paid restroom restrictions
meet marlene lu, our user persona. she is 32 years old and is a business consultant. she often travels for work, and spends way too much time from her busy schedule trying to find a clean bathroom in a safe area. she usually opts for familiar brands like starbucks, but she gets frustrated when she has to buy something to have access to the restroom.
- reluctant to pay to gain entry to a facility
- often needs to use the restroom while out, will often opt to wait until she is home to ensure cleanliness & safety
- finds more dirty restrooms than clean ones
- consistently finding satisfactory facilities
- expecting to buy something to gain access to a familiar facility but not having to
- clear application instructions, easy interface
introducing GoPass: a solution that grants users access to previously restricted restrooms with just a simple QR code scan. this innovative feature addresses a common frustration observed in our research — having to make a purchase solely to access a restroom. GoPass partnered restrooms (ones that are held to a standard of safety and cleanliness) would also receive special denotation on the GottaGo app to ensure users can find them quickest.
creating an intuitive and efficient app was a solution to the problem of usability we noticed during our competitor analysis and user interviews. we included splash screens and tutorials to make sure first-time users with a pressing urge to "go" could find a restroom as quickly and easily as possible. the rest of our pages' layouts are kept minimal and simplistic for easy navigation and access.
- refine into a hi-fi prototype
- improve brand loyalty with rewards programs and incentivized reviewing
- expand user accounts to better personalize experiences within the app
- establish live updates and verified reviews to increase transparency and trustworthiness
- introduce a search feature that allows users to search for restrooms in areas they are not in yet, in order to plan for future restroom needs