Projects
Reverie
Reverie
A competition entry for a brief set by Bulletproof. The brief was to create a product or service designed for the following unique, randomly generated target consumer: ‘They are aged 18-24. They are looking for an innovative travel solution and they love to use technology’.
A competition entry for a brief set by Bulletproof. The brief was to create a product or service designed for the following unique, randomly generated target consumer: ‘They are aged 18-24. They are looking for an innovative travel solution and they love to use technology’.
The Problem
The Problem
So many people struggle to find time for themselves with long working hours and financial struggles. Young people especially, whether starting careers or studying hard, need ways to relax and reduce stress while they’re unable to find the time or money to do so within their busy schedules.
So many people struggle to find time for themselves with long working hours and financial struggles. Young people especially, whether starting careers or studying hard, need ways to relax and reduce stress while they’re unable to find the time or money to do so within their busy schedules.
The Solution
The Solution
Reverie is an app that pairs with its eye mask and allows the user to choose a desired location to travel to in their dreams. The mask puts them in a lucid dream like state so they can consciously enjoy a holiday while they sleep.
Reverie is an app that pairs with its eye mask and allows the user to choose a desired location to travel to in their dreams. The mask puts them in a lucid dream like state so they can consciously enjoy a holiday while they sleep.
1. Research & Discovery
1. Research & Discovery
I kicked off the project by researching whether anything similar to my idea already existed. Turns out products that create or simulate lucid dreams are real. Discovering how these work helped me understand how I could turn my idea into a product and how I would promote it to potential users.
I kicked off the project by researching whether anything similar to my idea already existed. Turns out products that create or simulate lucid dreams are real. Discovering how these work helped me understand how I could turn my idea into a product and how I would promote it to potential users.
I kicked off the project by researching whether anything similar to my idea already existed. Turns out products that create or simulate lucid dreams are real. Discovering how these work helped me understand how I could turn my idea into a product and how I would promote it to potential users.
The next step of my research was looking into sleep and dreams. This helped me gain a better understanding of aspects such as what determines quality of sleep, why and when we dream, and sleep cycles. I then used this knowledge to hone in on my target audience and how I could best help their sleep and rest issues.
The next step of my research was looking into sleep and dreams. This helped me gain a better understanding of aspects such as what determines quality of sleep, why and when we dream, and sleep cycles. I then used this knowledge to hone in on my target audience and how I could best help their sleep and rest issues.
The next step of my research was looking into sleep and dreams. This helped me gain a better understanding of aspects such as what determines quality of sleep, why and when we dream, and sleep cycles. I then used this knowledge to hone in on my target audience and how I could best help their sleep and rest issues.
To make certain of my online findings and discover more specific information, I created a Survey to ask members of my target audience. The results provided me with key factors on peoples’ free time, the obstacles disrupting their sleep, their thoughts on dreams and whether they’d like the ability to remember or control them. The prominent results of the survey were that work/education drastically effects both free time and quality of sleep and that the majority of people would like more control over their dreams.
To make certain of my online findings and discover more specific information, I created a Survey to ask members of my target audience. The results provided me with key factors on peoples’ free time, the obstacles disrupting their sleep, their thoughts on dreams and whether they’d like the ability to remember or control them. The prominent results of the survey were that work/education drastically effects both free time and quality of sleep and that the majority of people would like more control over their dreams.
To make certain of my online findings and discover more specific information, I created a Survey to ask members of my target audience. The results provided me with key factors on peoples’ free time, the obstacles disrupting their sleep, their thoughts on dreams and whether they’d like the ability to remember or control them. The prominent results of the survey were that work/education drastically effects both free time and quality of sleep and that the majority of people would like more control over their dreams.
Competitor Research was how I discovered key features and designs I may need to take inspiration from in my app. Making the app simple and personable were two main targets I was trying to achieve and the uses of imagery, softness and statistics tracking in the competitors above were all aspects I was keen to put my own spin on.
Competitor Research was how I discovered key features and designs I may need to take inspiration from in my app. Making the app simple and personable were two main targets I was trying to achieve and the uses of imagery, softness and statistics tracking in the competitors above were all aspects I was keen to put my own spin on.
Competitor Research was how I discovered key features and designs I may need to take inspiration from in my app. Making the app simple and personable were two main targets I was trying to achieve and the uses of imagery, softness and statistics tracking in the competitors above were all aspects I was keen to put my own spin on.
When looking for Design Inspiration I wanted to find ideas that would help make Reverie both easy to navigate and engaging to view. Prominent and consistent imagery, iconography, soft edges and keeping copy to a limit were all ways I intended to achieve this. As part of the app process involves choosing a sleep destination, I looked into travel apps as well as sleep apps.
When looking for Design Inspiration I wanted to find ideas that would help make Reverie both easy to navigate and engaging to view. Prominent and consistent imagery, iconography, soft edges and keeping copy to a limit were all ways I intended to achieve this. As part of the app process involves choosing a sleep destination, I looked into travel apps as well as sleep apps.
When looking for Design Inspiration I wanted to find ideas that would help make Reverie both easy to navigate and engaging to view. Prominent and consistent imagery, iconography, soft edges and keeping copy to a limit were all ways I intended to achieve this. As part of the app process involves choosing a sleep destination, I looked into travel apps as well as sleep apps.
2. Ideation & Process
2. Ideation & Process
I created Personas to help determine the wants and needs of potential users. This allowed me to figure out specific user difficulties and frustrations I should cater to. In this instance, helping people get a release from their hectic schedules without necessarily having the finances or time to do so became the core focus of the product.
I created Personas to help determine the wants and needs of potential users. This allowed me to figure out specific user difficulties and frustrations I should cater to. In this instance, helping people get a release from their hectic schedules without necessarily having the finances or time to do so became the core focus of the product.
I created Personas to help determine the wants and needs of potential users. This allowed me to figure out specific user difficulties and frustrations I should cater to. In this instance, helping people get a release from their hectic schedules without necessarily having the finances or time to do so became the core focus of the product.
The Value Proposition Canvas also helped in uncovering the key factors that users would hope to gain from my product and the pains they wanted to fix. This put emphasis on the fact that users didn’t just want to improve rest and sleep, they wanted a way to maximise their downtime and find new ways to enjoy simply being at home.
The Value Proposition Canvas also helped in uncovering the key factors that users would hope to gain from my product and the pains they wanted to fix. This put emphasis on the fact that users didn’t just want to improve rest and sleep, they wanted a way to maximise their downtime and find new ways to enjoy simply being at home.
The Value Proposition Canvas also helped in uncovering the key factors that users would hope to gain from my product and the pains they wanted to fix. This put emphasis on the fact that users didn’t just want to improve rest and sleep, they wanted a way to maximise their downtime and find new ways to enjoy simply being at home.
An Opportunity Solution Tree was the next step in amplifying the needs of the user and how I could meet them. This is where I began to focus on the specific features of the product that would help the user, rather than just simply the needs themselves. It also allowed me to progress the business aspect of the product with additional features like subscriptions to a premium service.
An Opportunity Solution Tree was the next step in amplifying the needs of the user and how I could meet them. This is where I began to focus on the specific features of the product that would help the user, rather than just simply the needs themselves. It also allowed me to progress the business aspect of the product with additional features like subscriptions to a premium service.
An Opportunity Solution Tree was the next step in amplifying the needs of the user and how I could meet them. This is where I began to focus on the specific features of the product that would help the user, rather than just simply the needs themselves. It also allowed me to progress the business aspect of the product with additional features like subscriptions to a premium service.
I made a Customer Journey Map to visualise a potential users experience with my product. Trying to figure out their thoughts and aims at each step of the process helped reveal potential pain points and opportunities to improve the product and ease of navigation. Since users would most likely be using the app late at night and after long days, I wanted the experience to be as seamless as possible.
I made a Customer Journey Map to visualise a potential users experience with my product. Trying to figure out their thoughts and aims at each step of the process helped reveal potential pain points and opportunities to improve the product and ease of navigation. Since users would most likely be using the app late at night and after long days, I wanted the experience to be as seamless as possible.
I made a Customer Journey Map to visualise a potential users experience with my product. Trying to figure out their thoughts and aims at each step of the process helped reveal potential pain points and opportunities to improve the product and ease of navigation. Since users would most likely be using the app late at night and after long days, I wanted the experience to be as seamless as possible.
To ensure this seamless transition from opening the app to reaching its main feature I used User Flows and Site Maps. This established the blueprint for me to design the app around and ensured I didn’t miss features out when making designs as I constantly had something to refer to.
To ensure this seamless transition from opening the app to reaching its main feature I used User Flows and Site Maps. This established the blueprint for me to design the app around and ensured I didn’t miss features out when making designs as I constantly had something to refer to.
To ensure this seamless transition from opening the app to reaching its main feature I used User Flows and Site Maps. This established the blueprint for me to design the app around and ensured I didn’t miss features out when making designs as I constantly had something to refer to.
3. Design Stage
3. Design Stage
The first stage of design was turning my initial ideas into Low Fidelity visuals. This helped me decide on content hierarchy and how I would help navigate the user towards their destination. After experimenting with different shapes and layouts I found a consistency I felt was strong enough to pursue in more detail.
The first stage of design was turning my initial ideas into Low Fidelity visuals. This helped me decide on content hierarchy and how I would help navigate the user towards their destination. After experimenting with different shapes and layouts I found a consistency I felt was strong enough to pursue in more detail.
The first stage of design was turning my initial ideas into Low Fidelity visuals. This helped me decide on content hierarchy and how I would help navigate the user towards their destination. After experimenting with different shapes and layouts I found a consistency I felt was strong enough to pursue in more detail.
The Branding of my product was vital in ensuring its success. My prior research helped a lot of my design choices especially when it came to colour schemes and typography. With users likely using the app at night, a darker colour scheme reduced the chances of blinding the user or forcing them to change the brightness on their device. I used Outfit as my header font because whilst it made everything bold and clear, it wasn’t too intense on the user, making it friendly for tired eyes.
The Branding of my product was vital in ensuring its success. My prior research helped a lot of my design choices especially when it came to colour schemes and typography. With users likely using the app at night, a darker colour scheme reduced the chances of blinding the user or forcing them to change the brightness on their device. I used Outfit as my header font because whilst it made everything bold and clear, it wasn’t too intense on the user, making it friendly for tired eyes.
The Branding of my product was vital in ensuring its success. My prior research helped a lot of my design choices especially when it came to colour schemes and typography. With users likely using the app at night, a darker colour scheme reduced the chances of blinding the user or forcing them to change the brightness on their device. I used Outfit as my header font because whilst it made everything bold and clear, it wasn’t too intense on the user, making it friendly for tired eyes.
With the rapid rise of AI, I wanted to make sure utilising it was a skill I had readily available to me and with the theme of this project focussing around dreams I used AI to create visuals for my dream destinations. Rather than sourcing real images of locations that all looked different in angles, colour grading etc. the AI images allowed me to have a consistent set of images that maintained that fantastical aesthetic I wanted throughout the app.
With the rapid rise of AI, I wanted to make sure utilising it was a skill I had readily available to me and with the theme of this project focussing around dreams I used AI to create visuals for my dream destinations. Rather than sourcing real images of locations that all looked different in angles, colour grading etc. the AI images allowed me to have a consistent set of images that maintained that fantastical aesthetic I wanted throughout the app.
With the rapid rise of AI, I wanted to make sure utilising it was a skill I had readily available to me and with the theme of this project focussing around dreams I used AI to create visuals for my dream destinations. Rather than sourcing real images of locations that all looked different in angles, colour grading etc. the AI images allowed me to have a consistent set of images that maintained that fantastical aesthetic I wanted throughout the app.
After making my first design iterations I used User Testing to make sure the app was seamless to navigate and appealing for the user. On top of this it told me potential tweaks and improvements I could make to ensure there were zero frustrations for a potential user. One of these being the introduction of the location search bar, so if a user knew the exact destination from the get go, they could skip a couple of button presses and immediately get to their destination.
After making my first design iterations I used User Testing to make sure the app was seamless to navigate and appealing for the user. On top of this it told me potential tweaks and improvements I could make to ensure there were zero frustrations for a potential user. One of these being the introduction of the location search bar, so if a user knew the exact destination from the get go, they could skip a couple of button presses and immediately get to their destination.
After making my first design iterations I used User Testing to make sure the app was seamless to navigate and appealing for the user. On top of this it told me potential tweaks and improvements I could make to ensure there were zero frustrations for a potential user. One of these being the introduction of the location search bar, so if a user knew the exact destination from the get go, they could skip a couple of button presses and immediately get to their destination.
As the service and app of this project were the primary focus. The design of the physical product add on itself received slightly less attention to detail. Whilst I like its simplicity and ease to use, Given more time I would have made something that better identifies with the technology needed to make it a possibility whilst also maintaining comfortability. This mockup was simply to promote the idea of the app and how it would work.
As the service and app of this project were the primary focus. The design of the physical product add on itself received slightly less attention to detail. Whilst I like its simplicity and ease to use, Given more time I would have made something that better identifies with the technology needed to make it a possibility whilst also maintaining comfortability. This mockup was simply to promote the idea of the app and how it would work.
As the service and app of this project were the primary focus. The design of the physical product add on itself received slightly less attention to detail. Whilst I like its simplicity and ease to use, Given more time I would have made something that better identifies with the technology needed to make it a possibility whilst also maintaining comfortability. This mockup was simply to promote the idea of the app and how it would work.
4. Final Designs
4. Final Designs
Start Up & Sign Up - Intended to require as little effort as possible, kept to minimal screens so a potential tired user avoids frustration at a long process. Once signed up these screens will only reappear if a user is to logout.
Start Up & Sign Up - Intended to require as little effort as possible, kept to minimal screens so a potential tired user avoids frustration at a long process. Once signed up these screens will only reappear if a user is to logout.
Start Up & Sign Up - Intended to require as little effort as possible, kept to minimal screens so a potential tired user avoids frustration at a long process. Once signed up these screens will only reappear if a user is to logout.
Home Page
With users likely to see the app first through advertisements, promoting the product needed to pair was prioritised at the top of the hierarchy. However the user is till free to explore the apps features to help convince them to commit to purchasing the eye mask.
Dreamcations Page
Bold, vibrant imagery was the main intention on this page. Standing out from the dark background immediately takes the users gaze to potential destinations. Upon scrolling down from ‘Popular Places’ the user is met with options for types of different destinations.
Home Page
With users likely to see the app first through advertisements, promoting the product needed to pair was prioritised at the top of the hierarchy. However the user is till free to explore the apps features to help convince them to commit to purchasing the eye mask.
Dreamcations Page
Bold, vibrant imagery was the main intention on this page. Standing out from the dark background immediately takes the users gaze to potential destinations. Upon scrolling down from ‘Popular Places’ the user is met with options for types of different destinations.
Home Page
With users likely to see the app first through advertisements, promoting the product needed to pair was prioritised at the top of the hierarchy. However the user is till free to explore the apps features to help convince them to commit to purchasing the eye mask.
Dreamcations Page
Bold, vibrant imagery was the main intention on this page. Standing out from the dark background immediately takes the users gaze to potential destinations. Upon scrolling down from ‘Popular Places’ the user is met with options for types of different destinations.
Product & Subscription Pages
Designed to simply tell the user what they need to know, no clutter or false promises. As the product is relatively unknown technology I felt it was important to give some description of how the eye mask works, putting potentially worried customers minds at ease.
The subscription allows users to go on more varied and more luxurious Dreamcations. Despite there being plenty of options on the free plan, this meant that users looking for something a little more had an incentive to join the premium plan.
Product & Subscription Pages
Designed to simply tell the user what they need to know, no clutter or false promises. As the product is relatively unknown technology I felt it was important to give some description of how the eye mask works, putting potentially worried customers minds at ease.
The subscription allows users to go on more varied and more luxurious Dreamcations. Despite there being plenty of options on the free plan, this meant that users looking for something a little more had an incentive to join the premium plan.
Product & Subscription Pages
Designed to simply tell the user what they need to know, no clutter or false promises. As the product is relatively unknown technology I felt it was important to give some description of how the eye mask works, putting potentially worried customers minds at ease.
The subscription allows users to go on more varied and more luxurious Dreamcations. Despite there being plenty of options on the free plan, this meant that users looking for something a little more had an incentive to join the premium plan.
Dreamcations - If a user doesn’t have a location already in mind, this is where they can discover everywhere they can go. Splitting locations into themes of land types rather than countries/continents meant that users with a thought like ‘I want to lay in the sun and tan’ could narrow down their such by looking at Beach Dreamcations for example.
Dreamcations - If a user doesn’t have a location already in mind, this is where they can discover everywhere they can go. Splitting locations into themes of land types rather than countries/continents meant that users with a thought like ‘I want to lay in the sun and tan’ could narrow down their such by looking at Beach Dreamcations for example.
Dreamcations - If a user doesn’t have a location already in mind, this is where they can discover everywhere they can go. Splitting locations into themes of land types rather than countries/continents meant that users with a thought like ‘I want to lay in the sun and tan’ could narrow down their such by looking at Beach Dreamcations for example.
Location Select - After selecting a potential Dreamcation, users can get a glimpse of where their dreams will take them. This page provides a description of what the location involves as well as images of said dream features. There is also the option to favourite destinations, listing them all in their own separate tab.
Location Select - After selecting a potential Dreamcation, users can get a glimpse of where their dreams will take them. This page provides a description of what the location involves as well as images of said dream features. There is also the option to favourite destinations, listing them all in their own separate tab.
Location Select - After selecting a potential Dreamcation, users can get a glimpse of where their dreams will take them. This page provides a description of what the location involves as well as images of said dream features. There is also the option to favourite destinations, listing them all in their own separate tab.
Sleep Statistics - The hub for viewing all your dream data. Sleep statistics make the app more personable to the user. Allowing them to track all their Dreamcations and how long they’ve visited for.
Sleep Statistics - The hub for viewing all your dream data. Sleep statistics make the app more personable to the user. Allowing them to track all their Dreamcations and how long they’ve visited for.
Sleep Statistics - The hub for viewing all your dream data. Sleep statistics make the app more personable to the user. Allowing them to track all their Dreamcations and how long they’ve visited for.
Reflection
Reflection
I was really happy with the outcome of this project. It was very different stylistically to what I was used to but I always try and incorporate different design styles and ideas into my work so I can better handle any task or project thrown at me in my UX career. Given more time I would have liked to delve deeper into the product (the eye mask) itself and explain the workings of it better within the app, potentially through video and after effects. I would also explore destinations outside of just holiday getaways. Trips that're more fantastical like space or mythical environments, to really allow the user and their imagination as much freedom as possible in their dreamcations.
I was really happy with the outcome of this project. It was very different stylistically to what I was used to but I always try and incorporate different design styles and ideas into my work so I can better handle any task or project thrown at me in my UX career. Given more time I would have liked to delve deeper into the product (the eye mask) itself and explain the workings of it better within the app, potentially through video and after effects. I would also explore destinations outside of just holiday getaways. Trips that're more fantastical like space or mythical environments, to really allow the user and their imagination as much freedom as possible in their dreamcations.