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2024 | Figma Prototype, UX/UI, Wireframes, User flows
An AI-powered prototype designed to simplify communication by unifying messaging platforms into one intuitive interface.
Project Summary
Introduction
People are flooded with messages from all kinds of platforms—SMS, email, Instagram, and more—making it hard to keep track, causing missed messages and frustration. This project introduces a unified, AI-powered messaging prototype that simplifies communication and helps you stay on top of everything more easily than current options.
Objective
To design a mobile-first app that streamlines messaging with AI for efficiency and ease of use.
Problem Statement
Users are overwhelmed by the currently fragmented nature of digital communication, leading to inefficiencies, missed messages, and a lack of control. This project addresses these issues by creating a unified messaging solution that consolidates multiple inboxes, integrates AI tools to streamline interactions, and prioritizes situational awareness, ultimately enhancing user efficiency and satisfaction.
Impact Metrics*
20% reduction in time on tasks.
50% fewer interactions per task.
12.5% improvement in usability.
*Metrics are based on task completion comparisons without the prototype. Detailed testing results and processes, can be made available upon request.
A mockup of a chat with an AI that finds a previously played song. The AI's response shows the source and the method it used to find the song, in this case cross referencing location data and Spotify play history to determine the possible song. This transparency is intended to build trust with the user.
Design Process
Building a Foundation
User interviews revealed key pain points and preferences, leading to two personas: Michael Gauthier, a freelance event planner, who needs tools for managing events and staying on top of messages. These interviews also highlighted two key insights:
Users prefer a mobile-first design to match their on-the-go lifestyles.
AI integration must be transparent, allowing users to clearly control when and how AI assists them.
The creation of user personas and the initial information architecture iterations resulted from this. The need for quick access to information led to a shallow and broad information architecture for the application.
User Flows
Prioritizing Speed and Trust
The design of all flows prioritized clear communication to the user about the AI tools' involvement, while minimizing the number of user interactions. This was achieved by providing clear options to undo or alter the actions of the machine, ensuring users always felt they could revert to a more traditional flow if needed.
Next Steps
Should this project move forward, several areas could be enhanced. For instance, refining the AI's communication style and developing additional flows with diverse reply methods. It's crucial to remember that this project predates the public release of Apple's Apple Intelligence. Several features in this prototype were incorporated into Apple's product and would require further analysis to inform any changes to this prototype. Moreover, the release of Apple Intelligence poses potential challenges, as many users indicated greater trust in native device applications.
TL;DR:
Why it matters: People are overwhelmed by fragmented messaging platforms. This project proposes a unified, AI-powered solution to simplify communication, reduce missed messages, and boost efficiency.
The details:
A mobile-first app consolidates messages (SMS, email, social media) into one inbox.
AI tools streamline tasks like replying, searching, and managing messages, with transparency to build trust.
Key features include shallow, intuitive navigation and flows prioritizing speed and user control.
Personas and user interviews informed the design, focusing on event planners and mobile users.
The takeaway: This unified messaging prototype reduces inefficiencies and enhances control over communications, offering a transparent, AI-driven alternative to fragmented platforms. Further refinement is needed to account for competition like Apple Intelligence.