Usability - Buddy-App-Interactive/Buddy-App GitHub Wiki

The Usability was one of the main aspects of this app. We especially focused on the Gestalt Principles, for example:

For a good UX we first planned the scope of the app. After the scope was set, a paper prototype was created and usability tested by friends, family and potential users. We used the results of this first test to create the Digital Prototype parrallel to the implementation. We did this because the usability problems were only minor. To enhance the Usability even more we used the Material Design Guidelines. For example the Bottom Navigation with Floating action Button used for the mood select is a quite new Matrial Design concept (Bottom Navigation Guidelines)

After the implementation a second and more thourough usability test was conducted. The most important findings can be found below:

The Usability Tests where overwhelmingly positive. Every tester liked the app and would like use it. The only complaints where that the chat is too simple for a chat application. This however can be fixed in future releases. Tester 1: Female, 24, Focus Group Tester 2: Male, 22

Paper Mockup	Digital Mockup - Final App	Usability Test (full App)
Login
		Tester1: Looks very good and doesn't strain the eye. The button color change when input data is valid is helpful. It's a simple Login Page where you know if it's a login or registration (not that common nowadays) Tester2: Like the colors they have very high contrast and the login page looks very clean.
Register
		Tester1: Same as Login, I like it Tester2: Well its a registration page nothing special about that. However I like the Tab navigation
Open Chats
		Tester1: I like the Rounded corners and the colors of the chats. The smileys are also very noticable which I like a lot. Tester2: Ah here is the chat. Looks great, just like Whatsapp but with a twist. No complaints here.
Open Requests
		Tester1: The Chatrequests look better than in the paper mockup. I like that you can instantaneously create a chat when you click on them Tester2: Looks great. Maybe a bit too big but they look like the Chats so it's ok.
My Requests
		Tester1: Ah ok here are my requests. They look the same so no complaints here Tester2: Here the big items are great because I will never have more than 2 requests open for myself.
Chat
		Tester1: Basic chat. Like whatsapp. Like the message bubble colors Tester2: I like that emojis are working. Chat works great and looks good. I like that I can select and copy the messages.
New/Edit Request
		Tester1: I Like the Input fields Tester2: Maybe a few stats but I think that would be an Overkill
Profile
		Tester1: Looks like the login no complaints here Tester2: Simple input fields. I know what what button does.
Menu
		Tester1: Love the Mood select, looks great and it's something I have never seen before Tester2: Mood select looks awesome, the animation is nice aswell. I might just want to switch my mood every few seconds because it's so satisfying.