Climate change is a global issue that has led to increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events like heatwaves, storms, floods, etc.
Sky Peeker is an app that gives real time, hyperlocal, and accurate weather information, future forecasts, and information about other environmental conditions like air quality report, allergy report, heat index, etc.
It lets the users set notification alerts for their regular activities so that they get forecasts and updates just for that particular period of time. By going one step beyond, Sky Peeker also offers “Plan a trip” feature that allows people to check places with their desirable weather conditions in the next 45 days.
*Future weather forecasts are generally provided for the next 45 days only as it is difficult to predict weather accurately beyond that period.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Sky Peeker is an app that gives real time, hyperlocal, and accurate weather information, future forecasts, and information about other environmental conditions like air quality report, allergy report, heat index, etc.
It lets the users set notification alerts for their regular activities so that they get forecasts and updates just for that particular period of time. By going one step beyond, Sky Peeker also offers “Plan a trip” feature that allows people to check places with their desirable weather conditions in the next 45 days.
*Future weather forecasts are generally provided for the next 45 days only as it is difficult to predict weather accurately beyond that period.
GOALS
Learn how users are currently consuming weather-related information.
Learn about any obstacles they face in acquiring that information or the lack thereof.
Find out if there are any changes they would make in the above processes.
Depending on user’s needs, design an app that would best allow them to gain weather related information in an easy way while also providing additional features that would attract users who live in places with stable weather.
ABOUT
MY CONTRIBUTION
This is my first UX case study. During Dev & Design Bootcamp, I along with other 3 team members developed a weather application. This project was made in design sprint of 2 weeks.
Competitive Analysis
Survey
User Personas
Empathy Maps
Information Architecture
Radar Tab - Features , Low-Fi, Hi- Fi, UI design, Prototype
USER RESEARCH
To understand user’s pain points and frustrations in using weather apps.
To find solutions for the user’s pain points and make their experience of using weather app easier and better.
Which app do you use to check weather?
Which device do you use it on? - Mobile, Tablet, Desktop / Laptop, Smartwatch
How often do you use weather app?
What do you usually use it for?
Do you think the weather app is easy to use?
How satisfied are you with the weather app you use?
What do you like or do not like about it?
How can it be improved?
Rate the app experience - Highly Unsatisfied, Unsatisfied, Neutral, Satisfied, Highly Satisfied
SURVEY QUESTIONS
GOALS
USER PERSONAS
EMPATHY MAPS
BUSINESS GOAL / VISION
To be the most reliable and accurate weather app.
To collaborate with organizers for Sports events, travel and transportation companies to provide future forecasts and help with scheduling and smooth running of services.
To become a go-to app for planning trips and preparing accordingly with respect to the weather.
To offer additional and detailed information for sensitive groups in terms of allergy and air quality report.
Customizable notification alerts for regular/required activities (Free)
Integrate with Google Calendar - plan and prepare for events easily with weather alerts just for that period of time (Free for first 3 months)
Search weather information by street and areas - hyperlocal weather data.
Plan your trip - search for places with desirable weather conditions in the next 45 days.
Accurate real time weather data with detailed air quality and allergy reports.
Widget to easily check weather on phone’s homescreen without opening app.
COMMON PAIN POINTS
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
The app requires the use of the following services:
1 - GPS - to access the user’s precise location to determine the hyperlocal weather and related information of that particular location.
2 - Meteomatics Weather API - to provide the most accurate hyperlocal weather, climate and environmental information.
3 - Google Calendar API - to give weather alerts for the events of the day.
App gives inaccurate data
Weather sometimes differs within the same city. Not able to search weather for a location by street or area.
Frequent notifications and no customization options - user wants to know the weather forecast only during rainy season or particular times of the day.
No additional features of interest
SOLUTIONS / FEATURES
UI Design
Screens Designed by Me
Though I already knew research & the design thinking process, however, working on my first UX project was a completely new experience
I learnt to create & work with design systems, components & team collaboration to maintain consistency in the design
I also learnt the technical aspects of creating an app, such as API integration for using weather data and calendar integrations, device requirements etc.
Design thinking indeed is a never ending iterative process, but learning to prioritize and concluding the work is the utmost important thing.
The prototype will be tested by a diverse set of users - Unmoderated online testing
Specific tasks will be performed by the users
Their expressions and responses will be analyzed
Iterations will be made in the designs according to the users’ needs to eliminate their pain points and make the app experience easier and better
WHAT'S NEXT?
Usability Testing
Learnings from this project
