ELEVATING MOBILE EXPERIENCE
Empowering Safe and Convenient Gas Management: Designing and Prototyping the Sharp Gas Mobile App
COMPANY
Sharp Gas
ROLE
UI/UX Designer
EXPERTISE
Mobile Design
YEAR
2022
Project Description
The Sharp Gas mobile app was designed and prototyped to enhance the user experience of managing gas cylinders for domestic and commercial use. The app provides a range of features, including purchasing gas cylinders, ordering gas refills, monitoring gas consumption, and integrating safety-focused alarms to detect leaks and remind users when their gas levels are low.
The primary objective of the project was to create a reliable and user-friendly app that ensures convenience and safety, helping users manage their gas needs effectively while prioritizing their well-being.
Timeline
Duration: 5 weeks
Week 1: Research and Planning
Week 2: Wireframing and Information Architecture
Week 3: Visual Design
Week 4: Prototyping
Week 5: Usability Testing and Refinements
Background
Gas management can be a challenging task for many users, particularly in regions where infrastructure for gas delivery and safety is underdeveloped. This project aimed to address key pain points, such as:
Difficulty in tracking gas usage and predicting refill times.
Limited options for detecting gas leaks, leading to potential safety hazards.
Inefficient processes for ordering gas refills and purchasing cylinders.
By leveraging technology, the Sharp Gas mobile app sought to simplify gas management while prioritizing user safety.
Problems Identified
Uncertainty in Gas Usage: Users often find it difficult to gauge their gas consumption and know when to order refills.
Safety Concerns: Gas leaks can pose serious risks, yet many households lack effective detection mechanisms.
Manual Ordering Processes: Traditional methods for ordering gas cylinders or refills are often cumbersome and time-consuming.
Poor User Awareness: Many users are unaware of tools or technologies that can streamline gas management.
Process
Research & Planning
User Research: Conducted surveys and interviews with gas users to understand their challenges, priorities, and expectations.
Insights:
Users valued convenience and reliability in gas delivery services.
Safety features like leak detection were a top priority.
Competitor Analysis: Analyzed existing apps in the utility sector to identify gaps and areas for innovation.
Feature Prioritization: Determined essential features, such as:
Gas cylinder purchase and refill ordering.
Gas consumption tracking.
Safety alarms for low gas levels and gas leaks.
Wireframing and Information Architecture
Designed wireframes for the app’s key screens:
Home Screen: Displayed gas consumption data, refill status, and quick access to purchase options.
Order Screen: Allowed users to order gas refills or purchase new cylinders.
Alarm Settings: Enabled users to configure reminders for low gas levels and gas leak alerts.
Profile and Settings: Managed user preferences, delivery addresses, and payment options.
Visual Design
Adopted a clean, modern aesthetic to ensure clarity and ease of use.
Used a color palette emphasizing safety (e.g., green for normal conditions, red for alerts).
Designed intuitive icons for functions like ordering, tracking, and alarm configuration.
Prototyping
Created an interactive prototype showcasing key features, including:
Real-time gas consumption tracking with visual indicators.
Smooth navigation between ordering, alarm settings, and profile management.
Animated transitions for engaging user interactions.
Testing and Refinements
Conducted usability testing with potential users to evaluate the app’s functionality and user experience.
Refined the design based on feedback, such as improving the visibility of safety features and simplifying the order process.
Solution
Gas Cylinder and Refill Ordering
Designed an intuitive ordering process with options for same-day delivery or scheduling refills.
Enabled users to select cylinder sizes and track delivery status in real-time.
Gas Consumption Tracking
Integrated a dashboard displaying real-time gas consumption data using easy-to-understand visuals (e.g., gauges, progress bars).
Included monthly consumption reports to help users plan their refills.
Safety Alarms
Developed customizable alarms that notify users when gas levels are low.
Integrated a gas leak detection system that sounds an audible alarm and sends notifications to the user’s phone.
User-Centric Design
Focused on simplifying navigation with a clean layout and accessible menu options.
Ensured responsiveness and compatibility across various device sizes.
Convenient Payment Options
Provided multiple payment methods, including card payments, mobile money, and cash on delivery.
Results
Enhanced Safety Awareness
The integration of gas leak and low-level alarms provided users with peace of mind, with 90% of test users stating they felt safer using the app.
Streamlined Ordering Process
The simplified ordering functionality reduced the average order time by 40%, increasing user satisfaction.
Increased Engagement
The interactive dashboard for tracking gas consumption saw a 30% increase in user engagement during testing.
Positive Feedback
Test users praised the app’s clean design and ease of use, with an overall 85% satisfaction rate.
Challenges
Data Integration: Ensuring accurate gas consumption tracking required collaboration with external hardware providers.
Balancing Features and Simplicity: Maintaining a clean interface while incorporating multiple functionalities required iterative refinements.
User Education: Educating users on how to set up and use safety alarms effectively was a key focus during testing.