Cultivating Growth with an Ear-resistible App

The Walking Bunny project aims to enhance public health by promoting routine walking, addressing the significant decline in daily activity in the US. The objective was to develop a walking app that accurately tracked steps while addressing motivational gaps. Through gamification and a lovable companion, Walking Bunny seeks to transform fitness by making walking joyful, empowering users regardless of fitness level.

Unique Selling Proposition

Walking Bunny isn’t just your average step-tracking app—it’s a pawsitively unique experience that turns your daily walks into an immersive, whimsical, and motivating journey by seamlessly blending the magic of cutting-edge AR with a user-centric design philosophy.
Users plant and grow flowers, accomplish their step goals, and earn rewards, all with the aid of a motivational bunny buddy. Walking Bunny aims to empower users, hopping alongside them on the journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Research

My team utilized extensive user research to inform design decisions. This included conducting a Lean Canvas analysis and a feature-based competitive analysis of nine existing fitness walking apps. Positive findings highlighted the prevalence of community features in gamified apps but noted a gap between fitness-focused walking apps and those integrating augmented reality gamification. An empathy map and pain point survey identified key insights, such as the need for community support and the importance of varied walking experiences. User personas were developed based on survey data, considering factors like age and fitness goals.

Design

Crafting epics, user stories, and user workflows helped to shape the app’s direction and interface. Initial sketches and low-fidelity wireframes were created and iterated upon with stakeholder feedback. Key findings from this phase emphasized the importance of identifying gaps early in the design process and the benefits of testing design representations with users. Overall, the research-driven approach ensured that Walking Bunny addressed user needs and motivations effectively, setting a solid foundation for the project’s success.

Branding

A vibrant and health-conscious brand identity was crafted, encompassing the app’s name, logo, color scheme, and mascot. A thorough survey helped select the rabbit as the ideal companion due to its universal appeal. The name “Walking Bunny” was chosen for its playful association with a walking buddy and its potential for social connection. Puns were integrated into the app’s interactions to add whimsy, contributing to positive user engagement during usability testing. The color palette, featuring serene greens, warm salmon hues, and deep browns, aimed to evoke a tranquil ambiance. Font choices, including the highly-readable Nunito and expressive Cougarette, were selected to enhance legibility and convey brand personality.

Testing

Usability testing involved creating interactive prototypes and eliciting feedback from users to address key issues and refine the design. Despite positive initial impressions from eight users, further improvements, such as updating icons, enhancing navigation labels, and refining route descriptions, were identified for implementation. Immediate next steps included developing walkthroughs for new features, ensuring accessibility for stroller and wheelchair users, and outlining account options and in-app purchases. Continued testing and iteration were planned to refine the design further and enhance user experience.

Learnings

Throughout the development process, I gained valuable lessons, but one insight stands above the rest: think outside the box! By comparing gamified walking apps with fitness walking apps that already existed on the market, we uncovered a significant gap between the two.