Pedal Pal
Website
Pedal Pal is a website that is designed to help cyclists of all levels access a database of trail maps, which includes reviews and images to enhance the biking experience for cyclists of all levels. This feature-rich platform serves as a go-to tool for riders, offering a range of functionalities and resources to explore, track, and enjoy their biking adventures.
My role was as a UX Designer leading Pedal Pal’s website design and included elements such as user research, conducting interviews, understanding the user journey, creating personas, ideating, paper and digital wireframing, low and high fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, accounting for accessibility, iterating, and responsive design.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Problem: Existing bike trail websites offer fragmented resources and fail to meet cyclists’ expectations, making it challenging for them to efficiently plan and discover biking routes that align with their adventurous spirit and desire for exploration and hinder their ability to embark on thrilling biking adventures.
PROJECT GOAL The goals of the Pedal Pal website revolved around providing a user-friendly platform that empowers cyclists with the necessary tools, information, and community support to enhance their biking experiences and explore new trails. – Create a visually appealing and engaging website design that reflects the adventurous and nature-oriented theme of biking. – Ensure a responsive design that is optimized for various devices and screen sizes, providing a seamless experience for users on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices. – Utilize a clean and intuitive layout to make it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need. – Implement a consistent design language and visual hierarchy to guide users' attention and prioritize important elements such as trail maps, reviews, and images. – Incorporate a visually pleasing color scheme and typography that aligns with the brand identity and enhances the overall user experience. – Use high-quality images and graphics to showcase the beauty of different biking trails and capture the attention of users. – effective information architecture and categorization to ensure easy access to different sections and features of the website. – Implement intuitive and interactive elements, such as dropdown menus, filters, and search functionality, to enhance usability and make it easier for users to explore and discover trails. – Optimize page loading speed and performance to ensure a smooth and seamless browsing experience. – Create visually appealing and informative trail maps with clear markers, labels, and elevation details to assist users in understanding the trails at a glance. – Incorporate accessible design principles to ensure that the website is usable by individuals with disabilities, including considerations for color contrast, screen reader compatibility, and keyboard navigation.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Pedal Pal targets outdoor cycling enthusiasts who are passionate about biking adventures. This diverse audience includes adventure seekers who crave new experiences, planning-oriented individuals who value efficient trip organization, tech-savvy users comfortable with digital platforms, and individuals of various biking skill levels. Pedal Pal aims to provide a user-friendly and centralized platform for users to plan, explore, track, and enjoy their biking adventures, catering to their specific preferences and enhancing their overall biking experience.
"I believe that every biking adventure is an opportunity to explore new horizons, challenge myself, and discover the beauty that lies beyond the beaten path."
KEY CHALLENGES
The target audience of Pedal Pal faces challenges and constraints such as limited and fragmented information on biking trails, difficulties in personalizing their biking experiences, inefficient planning tools, and potential accessibility barriers. Pedal Pal aims to address these challenges by providing comprehensive and up-to-date trail information, a user-friendly platform for personalized planning, efficient route tracking features, and accessibility options to ensure a seamless experience for all users. By overcoming these constraints, Pedal Pal strives to enhance the biking adventures of its target audience and provide a valuable resource for their outdoor cycling pursuits.
RESEARCH STUDY
Research study plan
The user research for the cycling website focused on understanding the needs and preferences of the target audience to provide an optimal user experience. Firstly, surveys and interviews were conducted to gather information about cyclists' motivations, skill levels, and preferred features when searching for biking trails and routes. This feedback helped in identifying key functionalities such as customizable search filters, difficulty ratings, and distance measurements. Usability testing was then carried out, allowing participants to navigate the website and provide feedback on the interface, map interactions, and overall usability. This iterative process ensured that the website design met the users' expectations, providing them with a seamless and enjoyable experience when discovering and exploring cycling trails and routes.
INITIAL DESIGN CONCEPTS
Ideation: Crazy Eights
INITIAL DESIGN CONCEPTS
Paper Wireframes
DIGITAL WIREFRAMES
LO-FI MOCKUPS
HI_FI PROTOTYPE
Study: unmoderated, remote, 5 participants, 20-30 minutes
Icons and Labels: Used universally understood icons and added labels to help make navigation easier.
Alt Text for Images: Provided access to users who are vision impaired through adding alt text to images for screen readers.
Translation: Added a language switch tool feature for users whose first language isn’t English for easier use.
Color Contrast: Ensured that there is sufficient color contrast between text and background elements to make it easier for users with visual impairments to read and understand the content.
Text Size and Font: Allow users to adjust the text size within the app to accommodate various visual needs. Use dclear and legible fonts that are easy to read, even at smaller sizes. Used headings with different size text for clear visual hierarchy.
Clear and Consistent Navigation: Designed an intuitive and logical navigation flow within the app. Used clear labels, and visual cues to guide users through different sections and functionalities. Avoided complex navigation patterns that may be challenging for users with cognitive impairments.
