Discovery & Research - Summary

• Conducted contextual research with triathletes, runners, and cyclists in training environments. 

• Observed how athletes interacted with existing devices during high-intensity intervals:

  • Button presses missed

  • Screens unreadable in sunlight 

  • Menus requiring multiple interactions that were impossible mid-stride. 

• Identified glanceability and one-touch access as the defining UX requirements.

• Required interoperability with existing fitness accounts.

• Didn't want to be bothered during workouts by others unless for emergencies.

Context

This product underwent 3 massive changes to its scope and requirements during the project timespan, each time requiring a reset of the product definition. Across each iteration, I participated in and conducted different methods of research based on the phase of product discovery.

• Iteration 1: Standalone, portrait-oriented watch with branding built from scratch.

• Iteration 2: Landscape-oriented watch using Mirasol always-on technology.

• Iteration 3: Built upon iteration 2, but with existing workout app integration and a branding partner.

Users

Iteration 1

• I interviewed runners in groups of 3 (triads) to better understand user habits and needs.

• I participated in running a focus group study to evaluate several hardware prototypes with runners.

Iteration 3

• I interviewed more users, including runners and cyclists, reqarding current behaviors with workout tracking technology.

• I became a runner to better understand the perspective of our target user, practicing 2x/week.

Needs

Ability to workout safely without needing to carry a phone.

• Must be reliable and accurate.

• Must have the ability to post workout data and progress to an account.

• Must be able to communicate with others in urgent cases.

• Can't interfere with the workout.

Problems

• Many users take their phone on a workout because of necessity, but would prefer an easier way to view progress during a workout. Often, the phone is attached by a pouch on the arm or in their pocket. The phone is cumbersome.

• Bringing a phone on a workout means receiving distractions from non-urgent calls or messages. Users want an escape from distraction during a workout.

• Users who tell others of when/where they will be working out can't always tell the person in cases when they're alone.

Findings

Iteration 1

• Accurate distance and route tracking is required.

• Most target users listen to music during distance workouts.

• A wearable workout device must have long enough battery life for long distance workouts, and must be able to connect to a heart rate monitor.

• Most female users would tell someone (partner, roommate, etc.) when/where they would workout; not a common habit for men.

• When presented with the idea of being able to dial emergency services from the device, most people were uncomfortable with a button on the device that did this, worried about accidentally dialing. Generally, people only dial emergency services once in their life on average, and it's typically for someone else.

• Users don't want to be bothered by phone calls or messages during a working unless it's urgent. Primary reason for not taking a phone with them on a workout. They'd bring a phone for music and workout tracking.

• Some users went for a workout in the evening or night after work, and would need the ability to view metrics in low light conditions.

Iteration 3

• Most regular runners and cyclists used an app for tracking performance or routes; had existing accounts with popular apps. Users expressed desire to get credit for workouts and track progress.

• Reliable data gathering and transfer to existing accounts required.