The Couples Coach App was created by U.S. Dept of Veteran's Affairs. Although I found the app to be rich in research-based information, the interface had complaints of not being user-friendly and having color scheme that was not "soothing."
Redesign the Couples Coach app's key features to create a more user-centric, responsive dashboard and enhance the usability as well as the aesthetics for the mission and tools couples can use to improve their connectedness. *This redesign was not commissioned by Couples Coach or the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
The bright red design, although red indicates “love” did not seem to connect with users in that way. The playful illustrations did not appeal to the users. The feedback I received was that it felt like it was for a younger, adolescent age group rather than adults.
A “sunset sky” theme created a relaxing and cozy feel. The decision to make the app into a dark-theme played into that night-time cozy feel. Button, navigation bars, and icons were placed on the dark screens and sunset colors ran throughout the design.
For a couples app, the logo needed to have a “couple” on the brand. I used the CC and created a heart-shaped couple to indicate the couples connectedness and closeness. Warm and dark color styles were updated. After the colors were changed to a more cozy and warm mood, the logo and the playful images did not seem to fit the mood and theme.
Photos with a darker color scheme with rich warm oranges, blues and creams seemed to keep in line with the relaxed and cozy theme. Close up shots with a relaxed in feel were chosen for the images, tools, and missions screens.
Although Couples Coach is informed by evidence-based treatments, users could not easily find the references. As a result, users did not trust the application.
When users began to use the app, immediately there was research-based information as well as an explanation about references. Users could be reassured that their missions were evidence-based.
On the original dashboard, there was little information about what the purpose of the app was and how it helped the user. Although it referred to what they could "take a minute to learn more about" the app, it did not explain the purpose of the app up front.
On the updated dashboard, the purpose of the app was clear to the user. Missions and check in were prominent with progress was clearly visable. Relationship self-help tools were at their fingertips.
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The mission badge was created to not only show the level progress, but to allow users to know how close they are to finishing their mission.
Busy users can open the app and check in without having to hit anything on the screen first. This allows users to check-in and continue to be diligent.
Tools were divided by needs for the user. Putting all the tools in a cascading scroll seemed overwhelming to users when asked for feedback. Tool carousels were nested under dropdown menus to make users not feel overwhelmed.
Missions were also placed in drop down menus so that the screen was not overwhelming with too many images and missions. Each mission had a badge added in orange when mission was completed to keep the diligent user informed of their progress.
Responsive app for all devices so users can meet their needs and check-in from their laptop, phone or tablet either on the go or at home with their loved one.
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