ngoctuanpham


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ngoctuanpham


about me

work

ngoctuanpham


STAR - GAMIFICATION FOR TWO HARTZ

ngoctuanpham


ngoctuanpham


ngoctuanpham


about me

work

resume

Role

Role

Role

User Experience Design Intern,

User Interface Design Intern

User Experience Design,

User Interface Design Intern

Duration

Duration

Duration

12 weeks

Tools

Tools

Tools

Figma,

Adobe Illustrator,

Adobe Effect

Figma, Adobe Illustrator,

Adobe Effect

Team

Team

Team

2 UX Designers,

1 Head of Product

2 Co-founders

3 Developer

About Two Hartz

About Two Hartz

About Two Hartz

Two Hartz – a new dating app targeting users in the USA and UK, helps you find real connections and offers love coaching sessions.

Two Hartz – a new dating app targeting users in the USA and UK, helps you find real connections and offers love coaching sessions.

Two Hartz – a new dating app targeting users in the USA and UK, helps you find real connections and offers love coaching sessions.

Context

Context

Context

Two Hartz - a new dating app recognizes the evolving landscape of online dating and aims to revolutionize the user experience by integrating gamification features. By leveraging gaming principles, Two Hartz enhances user engagement, fosters meaningful connections, and differentiates itself in a crowded market. Through gamification, users are empowered to enjoy a more interactive and enjoyable dating journey, driving increased retention and satisfaction on the platform.

Two Hartz - a new dating app recognizes the evolving landscape of online dating and aims to revolutionize the user experience by integrating gamification features. By leveraging gaming principles, Two Hartz enhances user engagement, fosters meaningful connections, and differentiates itself in a crowded market. Through gamification, users are empowered to enjoy a more interactive and enjoyable dating journey, driving increased retention and satisfaction on the platform.

Two Hartz - a new dating app recognizes the evolving landscape of online dating and aims to revolutionize the user experience by integrating gamification features. By leveraging gaming principles, Two Hartz enhances user engagement, fosters meaningful connections, and differentiates itself in a crowded market. Through gamification, users are empowered to enjoy a more interactive and enjoyable dating journey, driving increased retention and satisfaction on the platform.

Design Process

Design Process

Design Process

The Challenge of launching Gamification

The Challenge of launching Gamification

The Challenge of launching Gamification

Two Hartz faces challenges in maintaining and evolving their gamification strategies to stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Two Hartz faces challenges in maintaining and evolving their gamification strategies to stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Two Hartz faces challenges in maintaining and evolving their gamification strategies to stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

My Responsibilities

My Responsibilities

My Responsibilities

Conceptualized and designed the overall gamification strategy, aligning with the product goals and target audience.

Conceptualized and designed the overall gamification strategy, aligning with the product goals and target audience.

Conceptualized and designed the overall gamification strategy, aligning with the product goals and target audience.

Collaborated with stakeholders to define game mechanics, such as points, missions, and streaks, etc.

Collaborated with stakeholders to define game mechanics, such as points, missions, and streaks, etc.

Collaborated with stakeholders to define game mechanics, such as points, missions, and streaks, etc.

Developed wireframes and prototypes for the dashboard, games.

Developed wireframes and prototypes for the dashboard, games.

Developed wireframes and prototypes for the dashboard, games.

Design the visual interface of the dashboard, including layout, colors, typography, and iconography to enhance user engagement.

Design the visual interface of the dashboard, including layout, colors, typography, and iconography to enhance user engagement.

Design the visual interface of the dashboard, including layout, colors, typography, and iconography to enhance user engagement.

Conducted user ability testing to gather feedback.

Conducted user ability testing to gather feedback.

Conducted user ability testing to gather feedback.

Worked closely with developers to ensure the implementation design meets UX standards and technical requirements.

Worked closely with developers to ensure the implementation design meets UX standards and technical requirements.

Worked closely with developers to ensure the implementation design meets UX standards and technical requirements.

Problem statement

Problem statement

Problem statement

Develop a gamification feature that seamlessly integrates with the existing user interface, aligns with the company's brand guidelines, and adheres to the SRS specifications. The primary objective is to enhance user engagement, motivate users to adopt the new feature, and foster a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Develop a gamification feature that seamlessly integrates with the existing user interface, aligns with the company's brand guidelines, and adheres to the SRS specifications. The primary objective is to enhance user engagement, motivate users to adopt the new feature, and foster a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

HOW MIGHT WE ingeniously infuse gamification into the user interface to captivate users, drive adoption, and evoke a profound sense of achievement and gratification?

Research

Research

Research

The dating app landscape is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for users' attention and loyalty. In recent years, many dating apps have integrated gamification features to enhance user engagement and retention. These features often include swipe-based matching, points or rewards systems, badges, and challenges designed to make the dating experience more interactive and enjoyable.

The dating app landscape is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for users' attention and loyalty. In recent years, many dating apps have integrated gamification features to enhance user engagement and retention. These features often include swipe-based matching, points or rewards systems, badges, and challenges designed to make the dating experience more interactive and enjoyable.

The fundamental factor behind the success

of traditional gamification structure - Extrinsic Motivation

The fundamental factor behind the success of traditional gamification structure - Extrinsic Motivation

I have conducted some secondary research and found that the success of gamification relies on a well-structured game that can stimulate players. This structure consists of three critical components:

I have conducted some secondary research and found that the success of gamification relies on a well-structured game that can stimulate players. This structure consists of three critical components:

Research Methodology

Research Methodology

Multi-Faceted Approach

Multi-Faceted Approach

Combine an analysis of gamification strategies across dating and non-dating apps to gain a broader understanding of effective techniques.

Combine an analysis of gamification strategies across dating and non-dating apps to gain a broader understanding of effective techniques.

User-Centric Focus

User-Centric Focus

How gamification features impact the user experience (UX), with particular attention to engagement, clarity, progression, motivation, balance.

How gamification features impact the user experience (UX), with particular attention to engagement, clarity, progression, motivation, balance.

Qualitative and Quantitative

Qualitative and Quantitative

Combine ratings and numeric scales (Low/Medium/High) with qualitative observations to provide both at-a-glance insights.

Combine ratings and numeric scales (Low/Medium/High) with qualitative observations to provide both at-a-glance insights.

Target Audience in Mind

Target Audience

in Mind

Factors in how different gamification approaches might resonate with various user demographics and dating app usage styles

Factors in how different gamification approaches might resonate with various user demographics and dating app usage styles

What’s missing in the gamification of other (dating) apps?(findings)

What’s missing in the gamification of other (dating) apps?(findings)

What’s missing in the gamification of other (dating) apps? (findings)

Exploration - Each display method has its own value

I conceived the idea of creating a comprehensive dashboard game where users can access streak points, total star points, complete daily and general missions for earning stars, and even play games. Through games, users can redeem stars to earn the rewards.


1. How should dashboard be displayed?

Through my research, I've devised 4 solutions for displaying the dashboards. This process allows me to explore ideas while also crafting versions that align with the business goals and technical constraints.

I conceived the idea of creating a comprehensive dashboard game where users can access streak points, total star points, complete daily and general missions for earning stars, and even play games. Through games, users can redeem stars to earn the rewards.


1. How should dashboard be displayed?

Through my research, I've devised 4 solutions for displaying the dashboards. This process allows me to explore ideas while also crafting versions that align with the business goals and technical constraints.

2. Tracking progress keeps users motivated to achieve their goals
After conducting research, I discovered that including a progress bar into the game is necessary. It occurred to me that this fundamental concept could be integrated with gaming elements.
2. Tracking progress keeps users motivated to achieve their goals
After conducting research, I discovered that including a progress bar into the game is necessary. It occurred to me that this fundamental concept could be integrated with gaming elements.

Sitemap

Sitemap

From the System Requirements Specification (SRS) briefing, I gained insight into the upcoming flow I need to design and brainstorm ideas for. Two crucial flows outlined in the SRS are: one for earning stars and another for redeeming stars.

From the System Requirements Specification (SRS) briefing, I gained insight into the upcoming flow I need to design and brainstorm ideas for. Two crucial flows outlined in the SRS are: one for earning stars and another for redeeming stars.

Design Solution

As a team, we delved into exploring different treatments. We faced a design challenge: two team members lacked prior game design experience, a critical feature within the app, while also ensuring the integration of essential business elements.

As a team, we delved into exploring different treatments. We faced a design challenge: two team members lacked prior game design experience, a critical feature within the app, while also ensuring the integration of essential business elements.

As a team, we delved into exploring different treatments. We faced a design challenge: two team members lacked prior game design experience, a critical feature within the app, while also ensuring the integration of essential business elements.

Design Principles

Design Principles

Positive Reeinforcement with a Playful Twist

Avoid serious progress visuals - opt for colourful vibrant themes, and even animation

User-Centered Design

Target-driven mechanics: Make the gameplay fun and easy to grasp for the targeted users.

Intuitive UI and Clear Onboarding

Rules, progress and how to interact with features are understandable

Intuitive Control

The game's control is easy to learn

Solution 1: A Gaming Ecosystem within a Dashboard - Unlock a World of Connectivity in a Single Screen

Solution 1: A Gaming Ecosystem within a Dashboard - Unlock a World of Connectivity in a Single Screen

Solution 1: A Gaming Ecosystem within a Dashboard - Unlock a World of Connectivity in a Single Screen

The dashboard offers significant benefits, supporting future business expansion without interrupting the layout. The dashboard also fulfills the requirement of displaying how to earn stars through streak points, general and daily missions, inviting friends, and how to redeem stars through games (Two Hartz Garden and Two Hartz Wheel).


The dashboard offers significant benefits, supporting future business expansion without interrupting the layout. The dashboard also fulfills the requirement of displaying how to earn stars through streak points, general and daily missions, inviting friends, and how to redeem stars through games (Two Hartz Garden and Two Hartz Wheel).


The dashboard offers significant benefits, supporting future business expansion without interrupting the layout. The dashboard also fulfills the requirement of displaying how to earn stars through streak points, general and daily missions, inviting friends, and how to redeem stars through games (Two Hartz Garden and Two Hartz Wheel).


1. Dashboard made for gaming

Similar to many other dashboards, ours, tailored for gaming, serves as a hub where users can view their total star count, transaction statistics, complete missions, check in to earn star points, and access the game

1. Dashboard made for gaming

Similar to many other dashboards, ours, tailored for gaming, serves as a hub where users can view their total star count, transaction statistics, complete missions, check in to earn star points, and access the game

1. Dashboard made for gaming

Similar to many other dashboards, ours, tailored for gaming, serves as a hub where users can view their total star count, transaction statistics, complete missions, check in to earn star points, and access the game

Early Concept

Early Concept

Final Concept

Final Concept

Problem - Early Concept

Problem - Early Concept

  • Information overload: may overwhelm users and make it difficult to find what they need.

  • Lack of engagement.

  • Unclear instructions:  The dashboard doesn't provide clear instructions on how to use it.

  • Too many ‘‘red’’ colors/ button.

  • Unsatisfactory business requirements.

  • Information overload: may overwhelm users and make it difficult to find what they need.

  • Lack of engagement.

  • Unclear instructions:  The dashboard doesn't provide clear instructions on how to use it.

  • Too many ‘‘red’’ colors/ button.

  • Unsatisfactory business requirements.

Solution - Final Concept

Solution - Final Concept

  • The dashboard boasts a clear information structure, logical hierarchy, and effective storytelling.

  • Its call-to-action button is prominent.

  • The visual language aligns with the game's spirit.

  • The shapes and brand colors are used strategically, ensuring users always understand their current location and next steps.

  • The dashboard boasts a clear information structure, logical hierarchy, and effective storytelling.

  • Its call-to-action button is prominent.

  • The visual language aligns with the game's spirit.

  • The shapes and brand colors are used strategically, ensuring users always understand their current location and next steps.

2. The Power of Streaks

2. The Power of Streaks

2. The Power of Streaks

By maintaining a streak, users are encouraged to return to the game regularly, reinforcing habits and increasing their overall engagement and investment in the experience

By maintaining a streak, users are encouraged to return to the game regularly, reinforcing habits and increasing their overall engagement and investment in the experience

By maintaining a streak, users are encouraged to return to the game regularly, reinforcing habits and increasing their overall engagement and investment in the experience

Early Concept

Early Concept


Final Concept

Final Concept

Problem - Early Concept

Problem - Early Concept

  • The feature lacks CTA buttons to drive user engagement.

  • Its visuals are too simplistic and fail to capture the essence of gamification, resulting in a lack of motivation and excitement.

  • The feature lacks CTA buttons to drive user engagement.

  • Its visuals are too simplistic and fail to capture the essence of gamification, resulting in a lack of motivation and excitement.

Solution - Final Concept

Solution - Final Concept

  • Dashlines create anticipation: Dashlines hint at something yet to come, encouraging.users to return tomorrow to see what's been unlocked.

  • Rewards fuel user motivation to maintain streaks.

  • Visual hierarchy was established by contrasting active and inactive information.

  • The current streak status immediately draws the user's attention.

  • Dashlines create anticipation: Dashlines hint at something yet to come, encouraging.users to return tomorrow to see what's been unlocked.

  • Rewards fuel user motivation to maintain streaks.

  • Visual hierarchy was established by contrasting active and inactive information.

  • The current streak status immediately draws the user's attention.

3. Friends-fueled invites, standardized Missons

General and daily missions are tasks or objectives within the game that users can complete at their own pace. By sharing a referral link or sending invitations through social media platforms, users can encourage their friends to sign up and start playing the game or using the dating app

3. Friends-fueled invites, standardized Missons

General and daily missions are tasks or objectives within the game that users can complete at their own pace. By sharing a referral link or sending invitations through social media platforms, users can encourage their friends to sign up and start playing the game or using the dating app

3. Friends-fueled invites, standardized Missons

General and daily missions are tasks or objectives within the game that users can complete at their own pace. By sharing a referral link or sending invitations through social media platforms, users can encourage their friends to sign up and start playing the game or using the dating app

Early Concept

Early Concept

Final Concept

Final Concept

Problem - Early Concept

Problem - Early Concept

  • While progress is positive, it might need adjustments pre-launch as business objectives and mission concepts are likely to evolve.

  • Too many progress bars can make it difficult for users to manage their attention. This might lead them to prioritize completing missions over exploring other features

  • While progress is positive, it might need adjustments pre-launch as business objectives and mission concepts are likely to evolve.

  • Too many progress bars can make it difficult for users to manage their attention. This might lead them to prioritize completing missions over exploring other features

Solution - Final Concept

Solution - Final Concept

  • Technical Ease: Certain changes are simpler to implement than others.

  • Trophy Motivation: This reward icon incentivizes users to complete missions.

  • Feature: "Invites Friends" offers another method to earn stars.

  • Design Consistency: Grouping similar elements ("How to earn stars") adheres to good design principles.

  • Technical Ease: Certain changes are simpler to implement than others.

  • Trophy Motivation: This reward icon incentivizes users to complete missions.

  • Feature: "Invites Friends" offers another method to earn stars.

  • Design Consistency: Grouping similar elements ("How to earn stars") adheres to good design principles.

Solution 2: Game Concept alignment with Business Objectives and Aspirations

Solution 2: Game Concept alignment with Business Objectives and Aspirations

Solution 2: Game Concept alignment with Business Objectives and Aspirations

Completing two games within a 12-week timeframe was a significant challenge that required considerable effort. Throughout the project, I focused on managing my time effectively while ensuring that I met the specific requirements set by the business.

As part of the Two Hearts Garden flow, my responsibilities included creating icons, typography, and elements such as progress bars and in-game icons. Additionally, I was tasked myself with designing various screens within the game. My teammate was responsible for working on the tree aspect of the project, including the process of tree growth and animating the tree

Completing two games within a 12-week timeframe was a significant challenge that required considerable effort. Throughout the project, I focused on managing my time effectively while ensuring that I met the specific requirements set by the business.

As part of the Two Hearts Garden flow, my responsibilities included creating icons, typography, and elements such as progress bars and in-game icons. Additionally, I was tasked myself with designing various screens within the game. My teammate was responsible for working on the tree aspect of the project, including the process of tree growth and animating the tree

Completing two games within a 12-week timeframe was a significant challenge that required considerable effort. Throughout the project, I focused on managing my time effectively while ensuring that I met the specific requirements set by the business.

As part of the Two Hearts Garden flow, my responsibilities included creating icons, typography, and elements such as progress bars and in-game icons. Additionally, I was tasked myself with designing various screens within the game. My teammate was responsible for working on the tree aspect of the project, including the process of tree growth and animating the tree

1. Conceptualize the game’s ambiance and animation

The introduction of the tree game captivates users visually, drawing them into the gameplay experience as they wait for the screen to load. The typography is carefully crafted to match the game's style.

1. Conceptualize the game’s ambiance and animation

The introduction of the tree game captivates users visually, drawing them into the gameplay experience as they wait for the screen to load. The typography is carefully crafted to match the game's style.

1. Conceptualize the game’s ambiance and animation

The introduction of the tree game captivates users visually, drawing them into the gameplay experience as they wait for the screen to load. The typography is carefully crafted to match the game's style.

2. Promote interaction and improve retention

Daily rewards incentivize users to check in every day to receive the corresponding amount of water.

2. Promote interaction and improve retention

Daily rewards incentivize users to check in every day to receive the corresponding amount of water.

2. Promote interaction and improve retention

Daily rewards incentivize users to check in every day to receive the corresponding amount of water.

3. Simplify exchange complexity through the store

Users can exchange stars to water through the Shop, enabling them to water their plants.

3. Simplify exchange complexity through the store

Users can exchange stars to water through the Shop, enabling them to water their plants.

3. Simplify exchange complexity through the store

Users can exchange stars to water through the Shop, enabling them to water their plants.

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

The last prototype was moved to a fully operational test setup for usability testing.

Timeline: 2 weeks.

Sessions: 6 participants.

Objective: Perform a thorough assessment of the gamification feature to pinpoint usability problems, collect user feedback, and guide iterative design enhancements.

The last prototype was moved to a fully operational test setup for usability testing.

Timeline: 2 weeks.

Sessions: 6 participants.

Objective: Perform a thorough assessment of the gamification feature to pinpoint usability problems, collect user feedback, and guide iterative design enhancements.

The last prototype was moved to a fully operational test setup for usability testing.

Timeline: 2 weeks.

Sessions: 6 participants.

Objective: Perform a thorough assessment of the gamification feature to pinpoint usability problems, collect user feedback, and guide iterative design enhancements.

Key Insights

Key Insights

Users responded positively to both the "plant a tree" and "spin a wheel" mechanics, indicating high engagement with these interactive elements

01

Interactive Delight

Most users found the dashboard navigation intuitive, allowing easy access to gamification features.

02

User-friendly Navigation

Users expressed interest in a diverse range of missions and games.

03

Variety and Replayability

The founders are eager to integrate additional dating elements into the game, aiming to further engage and incentivize users.

04

Lack of dating element

Reflection

Reflection

Reflection

Incorporating gamification into our app has been enlightening. I, myself, have observed how it boosts engagement, fostering a vibrant community. Challenges and rewards tailored to user preferences incentivize activity, while positive reinforcement keeps them motivated. Through data insights, I've learned valuable lessons for continual improvement. Overall, gamification enhances the user experience, teaching me the importance of innovation in a competitive market.

Through this project, I've also grasped the significance of time management. Setting precise timeframes and deadlines for each design phase ensures reaching the final result efficiently. Collaborating with a teammate honed my listening and problem-solving skills. This experience underscores the importance of effective collaboration, vital for thriving in larger environments.

Incorporating gamification into our app has been enlightening. I, myself, have observed how it boosts engagement, fostering a vibrant community. Challenges and rewards tailored to user preferences incentivize activity, while positive reinforcement keeps them motivated. Through data insights, I've learned valuable lessons for continual improvement. Overall, gamification enhances the user experience, teaching me the importance of innovation in a competitive market.

Through this project, I've also grasped the significance of time management. Setting precise timeframes and deadlines for each design phase ensures reaching the final result efficiently. Collaborating with a teammate honed my listening and problem-solving skills. This experience underscores the importance of effective collaboration, vital for thriving in larger environments.

Incorporating gamification into our app has been enlightening. I, myself, have observed how it boosts engagement, fostering a vibrant community. Challenges and rewards tailored to user preferences incentivize activity, while positive reinforcement keeps them motivated. Through data insights, I've learned valuable lessons for continual improvement. Overall, gamification enhances the user experience, teaching me the importance of innovation in a competitive market.

Through this project, I've also grasped the significance of time management. Setting precise timeframes and deadlines for each design phase ensures reaching the final result efficiently. Collaborating with a teammate honed my listening and problem-solving skills. This experience underscores the importance of effective collaboration, vital for thriving in larger environments.

Next step

Next step

Next step

Usability testing and data collection have sparked the idea of infusing more dating elements into games. While discussing this with the founders presents a challenge, it's also exhilarating. This opportunity propels me to venture into uncharted territories, promising an exciting next step!

Usability testing and data collection have sparked the idea of infusing more dating elements into games. While discussing this with the founders presents a challenge, it's also exhilarating. This opportunity propels me to venture into uncharted territories, promising an exciting next step!

Usability testing and data collection have sparked the idea of infusing more dating elements into games. While discussing this with the founders presents a challenge, it's also exhilarating. This opportunity propels me to venture into uncharted territories, promising an exciting next step!

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