ABC Absorb
November 2021 | Graphical application, design, prototype and test
Overview: “ABC Absorb” is an app (developed as a UX high-fidelity prototype) targeted at students to help find a balance between online entertainment and study.
The Brief: Design a way for Teen & Tweens to discover ABC videos that increase the engagement and reach of ABC content. This brief was presented in the introductory interaction course at UNSW developed in collaboration with ABC’s Content Ideas Lab.
The Outcome: ABC Absorb is a unique entertainment platform that offers more than just a complete catalogue of ABC content (including tv shows and music), as most teens and tweens are students who need to find a balance between online entertainment and time for study. A key feature is its "Focus mode", a study system inspired by the Pomodoro study technique integrated into the app to help students get motivated to learn as well as encourage them to explore ABC content. I worked towards this outcome through multiple rounds of user research, a study of other applications, prototype iteration and user testing with eight different users. The final project was awarded a high distinction for design innovation and prototyping.
Final Deliverables
Video App walk-through:
ABC Absorb walk-through. This video highlights creating an account, selecting a show and competing in a focus session.
Interactive Prototype:
Click "Create an account" to start exploring the app yourself!
(If prototype doesn't work in Behance please click here to open in a new tab).
App Wireframe:
This Adobe XD prototype was made up of 13 screens demonstrating the overall function of the app.
Video Presentation:
This 10-minute presentation was submitted with the assessment. It explains the design process and how I reached the ABC Absorb outcome in detail.
Video Presentation that explains in detail the design process and how the app functions.
Development Process
User Research
I completed research, which included: A questionnaire of 21 participants; Study of entertainment apps such as Netflix, TikTok and existing ABC applications; Formal interview with a 17-year-old and information interviews with teenage co-workers at KFC; Secondary Sources looking into an adaption of the Pomodoro study technique dubbed “Animedoro” by John Chen (2021) focuses on taking 40min – 1hr study intervals than having approximately a 20minute break to watch an episode of anime; Instagram poll answered by teens and university students -
90% of participants answered yes to “as a student I procrastinate study by engaging with content online. | 61% answered yes to “I would consider using a study technique such as Pomodoro to achieve more of a balance.
Example of Questionnaire results:
Study of Entertainment apps:
Developing a concept
Design Concept:
The majority of teens and tweens are school students with many struggling to achieve a balance between online entertainment and study. ABC Absorb is a unique take on a streaming platform that not only contains the catalogue of ABC content (such as tv shows and music) but includes an inbuilt study function.
The functions of Absorb surround the "Focus Mode" that consists of an interval-based time management strategy similar to Pomodoro and Animedoro to solve this problem of balance. Activities within the app include conducting a "Focus Session" and "selecting a show to watch during the break". The motivation behind this is to attract the demographic tween/teen audience to a study app in which ABC content is presented as a reward.
Note: The intention behind the inclusion of a signup screen is that entered the date of birth will automatically adjust the apps age restrictions.
Wireframe/Prototype & Testing Evaluation:
I began the wireframe and prototype process by sketching on paper and digitally. My goal was to develop clickable wireframes in Adobe XD, starting at low fidelity, and working towards a high-fidelity prototype followed by user testing and feedback. In total, seven unique users tested the prototypes throughout the project.
