Hop & Hide
client
UX Project
(Hogeschool van Amsterdam)
Role
UX
duration
1 week
Description
In this project, I designed an interface for a kangaroo, focusing on how to create a functional and accessible experience for a non-human audience. Through desk research, I explored the kangaroo’s sensory perceptions, behavior, and needs to ensure the design was both intuitive and engaging, with special consideration for their color vision and natural environment. This project allowed me to rethink traditional UX design principles and explore innovative solutions for a unique user.
Behind the Scenes
For this project, I researched kangaroos to understand their behaviors and needs, leading to the creation of a user persona based on key characteristics. Through this process, I identified a common challenge: finding shady spots to cool down from the heat. This insight became the foundation for Hop & Hide, an app designed to help kangaroos locate shade efficiently. [RESEARCH WAS DONE IN DUTCH]
Based on my research, I created a user persona to represent the key characteristics of a kangaroo, which guided my design decisions. I identified three main takeaways: kangaroos can only see blue and green, so the app’s color scheme needed to be accessible to their vision; during the day, they actively seek shade to cool down, which became the core functionality of the app; and they have a strong awareness of predators, which influenced usability considerations.
To begin the process, I first did some visual research to explore various directions I could take. This allowed me to gather inspiration and define the key aesthetic and functional elements. Once I had a better understanding, I moved on to sketching, which you can see on the left.
Using the references from my visual research, I developed my own approach, starting with sketches to explore different concepts. From there, I moved into digital design, utilizing Figma to create a structured wireframe that laid the foundation for the app’s interface and functionality.
I gathered feedback from my peers, who suggested adding an inverted mode, where the light version of the app is green and the dark version is blue. Additionally, I was advised to incorporate waypoints into the design to enhance navigation. With these new insights, I refined my concept and began working on the first prototype.
After conducting a usability test on my prototype, I identified several areas for improvement and refined the design accordingly. The app now clearly indicates that it functions as a map, with dangerous areas distinctly marked for better visibility. I adjusted the color scheme, using a lighter background for clarity and a darker color to highlight shelter locations. Additionally, I added a focus state when a route is started, taking inspiration from Google Maps. Some icons also needed adjustments—the grass icon was mistakenly interpreted as food, and the location pin lacked clarity. I also removed irrelevant icons that appeared when viewing a specific location and added labels to buttons to improve navigation. These changes helped create a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for the kangaroo.
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