Strava is a social fitness platform that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) data in order to enable users to track their physical activity and share it with others. Strava strives to create a community that helps users explore, connect, and track their fitness progress.
Strava Interval Running Feature
My Role:
Research, personas, task flows, sketching, wireframing, visual design, prototyping, user testing, interating
Duration:
July 2023 - August 2023
4 weeks: 80 hours
Project Background
Strava has a large user base of athletes, but it is not the only fitness tracking app available, what feature could be added to attract new users and keep existing users.
The Why
To understand users’ experiences tracking and sharing their physical activity using the Strava app in order to explore what feature could be added to the existing app.
Project Goal
Discovering
A competitive analysis was conducted to gain an understanding of what is currently available and any gaps that may exist.
I examined the following fitness tracking apps: Apple Fitness+, Nike Run Club, and Fitbit
Competitive Analysis
Insights Gained
GPS tracking, maps, and pace trackers are common among fitness tracking apps
Premium features are often behind a paywall
Ability to track multi-sport activities or activities with segments, such as interval workouts, is limited
Interviews were conducted to obtain qualitative data about the target user’s experiences, pain points, and needs.
Participants who use Strava to track their physical activities were recruited to participate.
Interviews
2 females and 2 males between the ages of 25 and 55 were interviewed.
Motivations
Users agreed that they complete and track physical activities for their overall physical and mental health.
Being active makes users feel good!
What “Works”
Intuitive tracking interface
Ability to control from smartwatch
Performance metrics allow for easy tracking of progress over time
Pain Points
Across all interviews, the most frustrating thing for users of Strava is trying to track more than one activity at a time (interval training, triathlons).
Negatively effects pace
Defining
Based on the findings of my user research, I decided to explore ways to help Strava users smoothly and efficiently complete interval workouts because planning and tracking interval workouts independently can be complicated.
How might we make tracking an interval workout more convenient and efficient?
With a clearly defined problem in mind, a user persona was created to better understand the target user and to ground later design decisions.
For This persona, I focused on a casual runner who is working to build their speed and stamina using interval running.
Persona
In order to further understand the target user and come up with possible solutions to their problem a journey map was created.
Using insights gained from initial research, the user’s actions and emotions were mapped out for the current process of tracking an interval workout using the Strava app to gain deeper understanding and help develop solutions.
Journey Map
After brainstorming possible solutions, I decided to move forward with designing an interval run feature for Strava that would allow users to record and track their interval runs directly in the app.
These task flows were created to determine how this feature would fit into the existing app and the necessary screens that needed to be designed.
Task Flows
Interval run sport selection option
Customizable interval settings
Visual timer
Interval pace breakdown
Key Elements of Feature
Designing
With the task flow for the interval running feature in mind, I began sketching wireframes and ideating on the design of the feature.
I explored 2 different designs for the “Set Intervals” screen which allows users to customize their interval settings.
Low-fidelity Sketches
Ideas from low-fidelity sketches were transformed into medium-fidelity wireframes in order to better understand the design and get a further picture of how the feature could work.
I decided it was important to visualize how this feature would be implemented on the mobile app and using a smartwatch since users can utilize either device to record their workouts.
Medium-fidelity Wireframes
To ensure that the feature design fit with the existing design of Strava, I continued to develop my medium-fidelity wireframes into high-fidelity wireframes.
Strava’s brand color, orange, was used throughout the design for seamless integration into Strava’s existing screens. I also studied Strava’s icon style and designed an icon in the matching style for the interval running feature.
High-fidelity Wireframes
Testing
Usability Testing
3 participants between the ages of 25-50 who use Strava to track physical activity were recruited.
Participants had varying familiarity with interval running workouts
3 participants were recruited to complete usability testing of the design. During in-person testing participants were asked to provide input on the visual design of key screens and then were asked to use those screens to complete 2 tasks.
Task 1: Record an Interval Run using the Strava app
Task 2: View a completed Interval Run using the Strava app
Task completion
Error rate
Time on task
Satisfaction
Success Metrics
Insights Gained
Users liked the ability to customize their intervals to fit their individual needs
Users found the visual design and layout of the “Interval Run” feature consistent and easy to navigate
Users unfamiliar with interval running were confused by the language used
specifically “set” and “interval”
Users needed clarity on the repeat options when setting up their intervals
Users thought that task 2 was easy to complete because it followed the existing flow of the Strava app
Users appreciated a more detailed pace breakdown when viewing their completed activity
Usability testing revealed some confusion among participants regarding wording and a need for further development of screens to increase usability and user satisfaction.
Iterations
Changes I Made
Changed the language on “Set Your Intervals” button from “Start Activity” to “Save Interval Settings” to ease confusion and stay consistent with existing Strava flow.
Eliminated one of the repeat selections to ease confusion for users and simplify flow.
Added definition/description to “set” and “interval” to increase understanding for new users.
Added time element (text) to visual countdown timer on recording screen so that users know exactly where they are at during an interval
Final Thoughts
This project reinforced the significance of user-centered design and the iterative process in delivering a valuable and enjoyable user experience. It also highlighted the potential for continuous improvement to keep an app relevant and competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. The opportunity to design across multiple screen sizes and practice using components to streamline my design process was very valuable.
Reflection
Continue to advance my proficiency in Figma's auto-layout and component features
Test iterations made for usability
Explore ways to visually display variations in pace on map within Strava