Capturing the one-time doners:
Improving the onboarding experience.
Project Overview
I was tasked with improving the onboarding and post-onboarding experience. There was a high user registration but low engagement; roughly 25% would log in and not use the application further once at the home screen. We termed these individuals as "one-time doners." This created a retention gap, and it impacted the our ability to support the new users' sobriety journeys. Thus the business needed to bridge the gap between registration and active platform use.
I conducted stakeholder meetings to understand the problem, then created mockups to validate assumptions and gather feedback. This iterative approach shaped my design decisions throughout the project. However, there wasn't an approval to do user research despite myself heavily advocating for one. Working within these constraints, we aligned on their hypothesis: "users lacked a clear direction within the app." After some discussions surrounding the retention gap, and their assumption: I proposed an informational walkthrough to provide immediate direction and demonstrate Connection App's value. Since it's strength lies in its community and infinite support system, I designed the walkthrough to showcase this key differentiators to new incoming users. Ultimately, I balanced the stakeholder requirements and delivered a few things: new visual illustration language, implemented the app's first motion design, developed a new walkthrough, and enhanced the flow of the post registration experience.
Design Requirements
Original Onboarding Flow
Remaining the same.
Removed
Adding and Improving all
Provide Clear User Direction
Address the hypothesis that users lacked direction by the next steps throughout the onboarding experience.
Showcase Connection's
Value Early
Help users understand the platform's unique value in their sobriety journey.
Reduce Cognitive Load
Progressive introduce features gradually while maintaining their engagement.
Iteration #1
The Calendar component became my initial focus due to its straightforward functionality and feature requirements. For larger scope projects, I follow a more systematic approach. This allows me to develop concepts that are both innovative and practical.
My process began with a comparative analysis; studying established calendar applications to identify successful patterns and opportunities for practical ideas. The research provided valuable inspiration while helping me understand user expectations for calendar interfaces in health-related contexts.
Eventually, I've come to realize a lot of the features of Calendar is okay. Aside renovating a lot of the UI in specific to look more clean and new. There were some oddities in the flow but it wouldn't make sense to spend so much time on something that isn't entirely affecting the overall Calendar experience. Thus I focused on cleaning up the Calendar, creating new modals, and small scale interaction changes.
The Login Screens
Post onboarding screens
Feedback
The Tools section presented significantly greater complexity than Calendar. It required me to balance innovative thinking with practical implementation constraints. While standard surveys and journaling components followed established patterns, two particularly complex survey requirements demanded creative problem-solving.
These challenging surveys initially seemed counterintuitive from a user experience perspective, prompting me to engage in more in-depth discussions with stakeholders. After thoughtful discussion about business requirements and user needs, I recognized the necessity of these components despite their complexity. Rather than pushing back, I embraced the challenge of making them intuitive despite their inherent complexity.
Iteration #2
Following extensive brainstorming and research efforts, I developed the first conceptual iteration of the redesigned Tools and Calendar. Calendar was the easiest and quickest to reach completed state. However, these initial concept served as a conversation starter. Tangible visualization of possibilities designed to elicit meaningful feedback and spark productive discussions among stakeholders.
Feedback #2
While not all of the mock-ups here. However, I found that from this meeting. There was a lot of discussion for improving the homescreen of the Tools page. They wanted me to create something a bit more "exciting" and include the progress graph in the first page.
While not all of the mock-ups here. However, I found that from this meeting. There was a lot of discussion for improving the homescreen of the Tools page. They wanted me to create something a bit more "exciting" and include the progress graph in the first page.
Iteration #3
While not all of the mock-ups here. However, I found that from this meeting. There was a lot of discussion for improving the homescreen of the Tools page.
They wanted me to create something a bit more "exciting" and include the progress graph in the first page.
Feedback #3
While not all of the mock-ups here. However, I found that from this meeting. There was a lot of discussion for improving the homescreen of the Tools page. They wanted me to create something a bit more "exciting" and include the progress graph in the first page.
While not all of the mock-ups here. However, I found that from this meeting. There was a lot of discussion for improving the homescreen of the Tools page. They wanted me to create something a bit more "exciting" and include the progress graph in the first page.
Refined Concepts to Final Deliverables
These are the landing pages of the two new redesigned sections of the application. At the end, it came out more modern and less confusing to engage with.
Journal Entries
Users will be able to compare and view their spending habits throughout the month. The user will be able to select a button that will allow them to start investing
Surveys & other tools
Individuals will have the opportunity to select a button to locate them to a page that will automate the process of distributing their deposit of money into three categories of needs, wants and savings.
Graph to Visualize Progress
Individuals will have the opportunity to select a button to locate them to a page that will automate the process of distributing their deposit of money into three categories of needs, wants and savings.
Set up reminders and meetings with your advisor
Individuals will have the opportunity to select a button to locate them to a page that will automate the process of distributing their deposit of money into three categories of needs, wants and savings.
After Project Reflections
This project highlighted key areas for professional growth, particularly in design-to-development communication. I recognized the need to better bridge the gap between design intent and technical implementation, leading me to explore enhanced prototyping methods and video documentation as communication tools.
I also developed stronger problem-solving skills when facing design challenges. When initially struggling with complex concepts, seeking input from developers not only provided technical insights but significantly boosted my confidence in the design process. This experience reinforced the value of cross-functional collaboration and taught me to leverage team expertise when navigating uncertainty.
Projects
Project One
Project Two
Project Three