─── THE PROBLEM

Many people struggle to find workout partners who match both their fitness interests and schedules. For some, the challenge isn’t just finding the right partner—it’s also about overcoming the intimidation of going to the gym or workout class alone, and maintaining accountability.

─── THE PLAN

01. RESEARCH

The process of creating FlowFam started with a comprehensive user research phase. I needed to uncover the common challenges my potential users currently face. I used surveys, one-on-one interviews, and thorough market research to get a better idea of the goals I wanted FlowFam to achieve.

The Most Common Concerns

• The struggle to stay consistent and accountable with a workout plan.
• Intimidation about trying a new activity or going into the gym alone.
• Individuals new to fitness feel overwhelmed and lost on where to start.

Traditional fitness apps fail to offer engaging social features that could solve these issues. The findings from my user research laid the foundation for designing a solution.

Market Gap

The fitness app landscape is saturated with apps for workout and diet tracking, personal training, mindfulness, and much more. While many people would enjoy having a workout partner, most apps fail to provide a seamless way to pair individuals based on activity, schedule, and fitness goals.

02. IDEATION

The user flow for FlowFam is very straightforward and efficient. It starts with a simple sign-up or login screen, where users can create an account or sign in to access their profile.

Upon logging in, they’re taken to the home screen. The primary focus is on the "Find a Partner" feature, where users can filter their search by workout preferences, location, and availability to find matches.

Once potential partners are found, users can view their profiles, verify compatibility based on fitness goals, and initiate contact through an in-app messaging system.

03. USABILITY TESTING

After completing the initial design concept, I conducted a round of usability testing.

I performed one-on-one usability interviews with five classmates at my university, hoping to receive some useful feedback on how I could further improve the design and functionality.

Overall, users found the app's interface very intuitive and easy to navigate. The customizable search feature was frequently highlighted as a positive aspect.

However, some users suggested that the filtering options could be expanded to allow for more specific preferences, such as fitness level or specific workout times.  Additionally, the messaging feature received mixed feedback. Users appreciated its simplicity, but suggested an option for rejecting certain message requests without notifying the other user.

Based on these findings, I set out to enhance the filtering options, add clearer labels to certain icons, and improve the messaging system, all aimed at improving the overall user experience.

05. FINAL DESIGN

After refining my mockup design and implementing suggestions from usability testing, the final design that I landed on is modern and user friendly, focusing on ease of navigation. I enhanced the customizable search bar by making it horizontally scrollable, including an availability feature. I also implemented a discrete way for users to decline message requests that do not interest them.

I chose a simple off-white background to avoid distraction, with soft greens and browns to highlight key actions, such as viewing a full profile or sending a message. The typography is clear and easy to read. Button and icon styles are used consistently across the app to help guide users intuitively through the various features.

For the final prototype, I worked to ensure that each screen flows seamlessly into the next. Overall, the final design combines aesthetic appeal with functionality, providing a smooth, enjoyable experience for users looking to find and connect with workout partners.