Scope
Utilized end-to-end product development approaches, including conducting needs assessment, secondary research, and user research to understand the specific exercise and mental health demands of adults with disabilities, and identify gaps in existing resources and potential user groups. Validated key design concepts, and developed prototypes prioritizing features that address the unique needs of the target users. Established design system, built and tested the product, ensuring accessibility, safety, and effectiveness through comprehensive user trials and feedback.
IncluStar is an AI-empowered mobile app which helps elevate the workout experience for adults with disabilities (AwD).
Role
Individual Project, Product Designer
Tools
Figma; Photoshop; Teachable Machine
Timeline
10/23-12/23 (2.5 months): Design Ideation; Context Research; Major Design Concept Validation.
01/24-03/24 (2.5 months): User Research; Prototype; Design System and Visual Identity Development.
“My favorite trainers are the ones who work as hard to help me as I do to help myself every time I am at the gym. They know that for me, today matters.”
— Abe Assaad
Special Olympics New Mexico Athlete, Health Messenger, and Special Olympics International Fitness Consultant
Feature 1: Personalized Onboarding with goal setting
Feature 2: Real-Time AI Posture Recognition
Feature 3: Adaptive Workout and Therapy-Based Support
Context Research and Insights
27%
According to the CDC, up to 1 in 4 (approximately 27%) adults in the United States “have some type of disability,” among which the disabilities affect different aspects of their life, including mobility, cognition, independent living, hearing, vision, and self-care.
The Target Users - AwD, and Their Dilemma
81%
“In fact, according to the 2021 Activity Alliance Annual Disability and Activity Survey, 81% of people with disabilities report wanting to be more active than they currently are.” - ACE Fitness
The Fitness Market towards AwD
$30.6 Billion
While the fitness industry brought in roughly US$30.6 billion in 2022, adults with disabilities still lack easy and affordable access to fitness studios, specialized equipment, and personal trainers certified to work with disabled clients.
81%
81% of adults with disabilities do not feel comfortable in fitness spaces.
29.9%
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when people were restricted from fitness facilities, the use of these smart health and fitness apps is estimated to have increased by 29.9% on the iOS market.
Problem Statement
Adults with disabilities lack an inclusive and well-tailored fitness and mental health solution to achieve desired lifestyle goals, as current fitness technologies, gyms, and trainers are often inadequate and inaccessible in addressing their unique needs.
User Research
I conducted 2 in-depth interviews with people in the target user groups, receiving insights into user needs, preferences, behaviors, and pain points. I also received 5 valid survey results with quantitative data on user preferences, habits, and demographics.
Just being self-motivated is tough, right? …If it impacts that area significantly, it probably wouldn't be very good for me because my chronic pain is centered there and tends to get aggravated if it's stressed in some way, which could include doing workouts on it.…But yeah, I think having live feedback in some sort of fashion would be really good for somebody like me who's just super nervous at the gym about like, ‘am I doing this thing right?’
—— interviewee#2, who has depression and chronic pain.
Look into Data with Affinity Mapping and Thematic Analysis
I carefully reviewed all interview transcripts, survey responses, and observational notes, then created a board with all data points.
Key Findings:
“Stay active” remains the top fitness goal among participants, followed by “muscle gain.”
GOALS
Then, I used affinity mapping to organize and structure my data by visually clustering similar data points together. By doing this, I gained a better understanding of the underlying patterns and relationships within the data.
DISABILITY
Most participants have mobility impairments, with mental health conditions ranking second, including depression or ADHD.
MOTIVATION
Participants expressed a lack of motivation the most. Meanwhile, participants also believed that goal-oriented workout planning and tracking “should be in the app” and will help them reach their goals. Lastly, participants would like to see some various and simple workout programs they can do at home.
Next step, I conducted a thematic analysis to delve deeper into the identified themes and extract meaningful insights. I identified common themes, sub-themes, and variations within the data by systematically analyzing each cluster of data points.
Most participants reported having “little to no physical activity,” often due to health issues and chronic pain.
APTITUDE
Frustration about gym anxiety was the most common feeling expressed by participants.
ATTITUDES/FEELINGS
Gym and gym-related workouts were the most mentioned activities, with multiple participants also mentioning exercises at home.
ACTIVITIES
“Gym anxiety” was the most talked-about challenge, with other notable challenges including a “lack of adaptive workouts for specific needs,” “lack of guidance on modifying exercises,” and “lack of motivation due to health conditions.”
CHALLENGES
*While age was collected as demographic information, with two participants aged between 35 to 44 and two participants aged 65 or older, this may not be a significant commonality in the data.
Competitive Analysis
3
6
17
Competitors
Evaluating Dimensions
Evaluating Criteria
There is no direct competitor that has the same positioning and all of IncluStar’s features. However, I discovered some valuable opportunities for IncluStar to continue iterating with.
IncluStar's Opportunities
IncluStar's Opportunities
01. Enhanced Personalization Features
Adding detailed options for users to specify their disabilities, preferences, and fitness goals would contribute to a more tailored and effective workout experience.
03. Diversification of Workout Content
Offering a range of workouts ensures that IncluStar remains adaptable to various fitness levels and preferences.
05. Goal-Oriented Fitness Model
This approach ensures that IncluStar not only caters to users’ unique abilities but also helps them work towards and achieve their individual fitness goals.
02. Interactive Tracking and Progress Features
Incorporating real-time feedback, progress tracking, and achievement milestones would not only enhance motivation but also provide users with a sense of accomplishment.
04. Community Building and Support
Users can benefit from the collective knowledge and motivation, creating a more holistic and encouraging fitness environment.
AI CONCEPT VALIDATION
I assume that AI technology can track users’ posture and movement, then provide real-time feedback to users to make it adaptive and highly customized workout experiences. Meanwhile, this functionality can provide safety measurements for users as well.
To validate my assumptions, I selected three workouts that are adaptable to a seated position and cater to different muscle groups: Seated Tricep Dips, Seated Shoulder Press, and Neck Workout. These exercises provided a comprehensive upper body workout while accommodating diverse abilities. I used Teachable Machine to build AI models with video data input and tested if the model could recognize the target postures.
01. Data Collection
Capturing diverse 6-second videos for each workout from various angles and repetitions.
03. Validation and Testing
Real-time testing, continuous feedback, and adjustments for enhanced accuracy.
02. Labeling
Extracting over 160 pose samples for each workout, carefully confirming correct postures.
04. Training Iterations
Include multiple rounds of refining sensitivity to user movements and positions for robust performance. I deleted unclear pose samples to avoid confusion in order to enhance accuracy in posture recognition.
FINAL PROTOTYPE
1.
Personalized Onboarding with goal-setting
With a highly personalized onboarding process, we can comprehensively grasp users' needs and implement goal-oriented strategies to set up a good start for users.
IncluStar has a Star Reward System, a feature designed to motivate users. By completing daily routines, users earn stars. This program not only encourages consistency and perseverance but also celebrates the progress and dedication of each individual. Through this inclusive and supportive approach, IncluStar aims to enhance the well-being of its users by making fitness a fun and rewarding experience.
2.
Curated Daily Plan with Adaptive Workout and Therapy-Based Support
With various workout programs, we enhance the user experience by furnishing well-tailored daily articles on mental health, catering to users' emotional needs while fostering motivation.
3.
Workout with professional, but better - AI Posture Recognition
Utilizing AI technology, the app monitors users' workout progress in real-time, ensuring prompt provision of instructions and maintaining user safety throughout the session.
For users, today matters.
In the process of designing IncluStar, the importance of a user-centered design approach became abundantly clear. Understanding the unique needs and challenges faced by adults with disabilities was paramount. Through extensive user research, interviews, and usability testing, I was able to tailor the app to meet these specific requirements. Recognizing that different disabilities necessitate tailored user experiences, I initially focused on creating a persona for mobility disabilities, ensuring the design catered to this user profile. Moving forward, my goal is to expand the app to accommodate a broader range of disabilities, adhering to inclusive design principles to ensure accessibility and usability for all.
The iterative development and feedback process were pivotal in refining IncluStar. Developing multiple prototypes and conducting usability tests enabled the identification and resolution of issues early on. User feedback was instrumental in making significant improvements, ensuring the app continuously evolved to better serve its users. This iterative approach underscored the value of ongoing user engagement and reinforced the importance of adaptability in design.
Working on IncluStar deeply enhanced my empathy for users with disabilities. Engaging with users and understanding their daily challenges provided invaluable insights, fostering a profound appreciation for the importance of accessible design. This empathy was crucial in developing features that truly resonated with users' needs.
Integrating AI technologies into IncluStar presented several technical challenges. Overcoming these hurdles required innovative solutions, particularly in implementing features like real-time posture recognition, voice commands, and screen readers. Adhering to accessibility standards such as WCAG ensured that the app met legal and ethical responsibilities, promoting inclusivity and setting a high standard for future projects.
Designing for motivation and engagement was another critical aspect of IncluStar. Personalization features and adaptive content were essential in keeping users motivated and engaged in their workouts. The inclusion of gamification elements further enhanced user engagement, making the workout experience more rewarding and enjoyable.
Reflecting on the project, I recognize the importance of staying updated with evolving technologies and trends in AI and accessibility. This project has solidified my commitment to lifelong learning and continuous improvement in inclusive design practices. It has also empowered me to become a stronger advocate for inclusive design and accessibility, inspiring future work that prioritizes these principles.