Can design re-invent motivation? : A personalised user-driven fitness app experience created through future trend forecasting
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
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Date
2020
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Mcode
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Language
en
Pages
102 + 30
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Abstract
Motivation has always been the main topic of discussion when it comes to health and fitness, and therefore, the search for innovative and persuasive design strategies are constantly researched, in order to keep users engaged and encouraged. The global health, wellness and fitness industry has seen an astonishing growth in the past decade; and with the combination of the current digital age that we live in, the design of mobile fitness applications have increased substantially. However, research suggests that fitness app users show signs of dis-engagement and even discontinue the use of fitness programmes after about 6 months; which possibly implies that there is a lack of emotional connection between user and product. The main objective of this master’s thesis focuses on designing and evaluating the usability of an iOS mobile application, aiming to challenge current aspects of the fitness app industry. The proposed approach aims to boost and retain motivation in users through creating and establishing an enhanced, unique bridge across different fitness motivational factors, acting as a holistic ecosystem. The final outcome takes form in an interactive prototype called DETLIFE. This study identifies motivation - as a phenomenon in itself - through the outcomes of the literature review and market research, involving user research and a competitive audit. Further, the trend forecasting element of this thesis investigates the ways motivation manifests in fitness-centred users which is defined by leading design drivers and possible future scenarios. Finally, the design component of the thesis outlines newly developed motivational design strategies in the fields of user experience and user interface design. The main findings of this thesis project concludes that the most valuable fitness motivational factors are: Customisation and personalisation of mobile phone applications; convenience as a top priority; Integration of goals, self-achievement systems and reward systems; social media, and health & fitness influencers; and last but not least, clothing to play an enormously important role, and often act as a source of accountability or self-reward. The final design outcome of the thesis project confirms that the integration of the aforementioned motivational factors have proven to create a successful mobile application prototype, which elevates the motivational standards on the current market, and introduces a new holistic approach to a healthy and fit lifestyle.Description
Supervisor
McGrory, PeterThesis advisor
Lucero, AndrésKeywords
motivation, user experience, fitness journey, app development, user interface design, goal setting, progress, reward systems