PAPERWISE
TYPE
UIUX Design
Service Design
OVERVIEW
designer
Elaine Zeng
This project designs a user-friendly news app tailored for the elderly, focusing on accessibility, simplicity, and reliable content. Key features include adjustable text, voice navigation, and curated news to keep seniors informed and engaged.
project brief
In today's digital age, online platforms have become integral to daily life, offering convenience and efficiency. As more activities move online, it's essential to create solutions that help older adults adapt and stay connected. This project focuses on designing a user-friendly digital experience tailored to the elderly, making it easier for them to engage with online services and better navigate modern society.
background
In the background of this project, it's important to note that for elderly smartphone users, reading news is a primary activity.
75.8% of elderly smartphone users read news online.
Over 50% of elderly users actively search for news on their own.
News consumption is the main purpose for elderly users on smartphones.
conclusion
A new news platform tailored to elderly users, particularly those over 85, is essential. By utilizing reliable news sources, the app will focus on enhancing accessibility and user experience.75.8% of elderly smartphone users read news online.
Simple and intuitive interface to ensure easy navigation.
Adjustable text size and contrast for better readability.
Voice-assisted navigation to support users with limited vision or mobility.
Curated and trustworthy news sources to provide credible and relevant content.
Personalized content filters to help users find news tailored to their interests.
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
Generally, 3 main categories of news APP monopoly the marketing currently.
Current news apps present several challenges for elderly users, making them less accessible and user-friendly. Common pain points include:
Complex navigation
Many apps have cluttered interfaces that are difficult for seniors to understand and use.
Small Text & Icons
The lack of adjustable font sizes and icons makes reading difficult for users with poor vision.
Complicated settings
Personalization and account management settings are often too complex for seniors to navigate easily.
User persona
SOLUTION
Let users can find the quantification of news resources.
Let users can easily and directly find something they want to read.
Decrease users’ concern of reading the news.
The most suitable flows for elderly users.
Encourage users can communicate with each other about news.
APP DESIGN
This news app is tailored for elderly users, featuring Today’s News, Rumor Refutation, Light Reading, and Radio Listening. With a simple interface, enlarged fonts, and a card-based layout, it provides easy navigation, rumor verification, and a nostalgic radio experience, ensuring a comfortable and accessible way to stay informed.
PRODUCT FRAMEWORK
REFLECTION
This is a class project, guided by Nigel Sielegar, aimed at finding solutions for the daily needs of people over 80 years old. During the development of this news app, I gained valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by elderly users in the digital space. By focusing on accessibility, user-friendly design, and content relevance, I was able to address some of their core needs:
Gained insights into the unique challenges elderly users face in digital spaces.
Addressed key needs like simplified navigation, larger fonts, and intuitive layouts.
User testing highlighted areas for improvement, including refining interactive features and enhancing the audio experience for users with hearing difficulties.
next step
Moving forward, I plan to conduct further usability testing with a broader range of elderly users to gather more feedback on the app’s functionality and accessibility.
Based on this, I will focus on optimizing voice control features, enhancing personalization options, and improving the overall responsiveness of the app.
Additionally, I aim to explore partnerships with trusted news sources and senior organizations to expand content offerings and ensure that the app continues to meet the evolving needs of elderly users.