The Project

Phone Guard is a mobile app that helps users optimize their mobile device’s performance, increase speed, and manage storage. The app was created to help users protect themselves from malware and connect them to the global community. Phone Guard is designed to address the following questions:. Do you want to perform a hardware diagnosis on your mobile device or contact customer care?

The Problem

Android phones get updates, and they don’t have the same software they had a year ago (they shouldn’t, at least). Apps may not be as nicely optimized for the user’s device, which runs in the background and slows things down.
Android phones receive regular updates, so the software they run on is constantly evolving.
However, some apps must be better optimized for your device, which can slow things down in the background. To prevent the unnecessary drain on your phone’s resources, it’s best to uninstall any apps that you don’t use. In addition, devices are vulnerable to viruses and malware, making it increasingly difficult to protect your phone.

Design process

Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that focuses on understanding user needs and providing creative solutions. It involves empathizing with the user to address complex design issues.

What we did?

Phone Guard offers a solution to optimize smartphone performance. It increases performance and allows users to clean up storage, boost RAM, and utilize antivirus features. Phone Guard provides access to enable (allowlist) or disable (blocklist) apps, allowing users to terminate background processes after exiting an app.

Research

We began my research by conducting detailed and structured interviews with members of our internal team who use our smartphone as their primary device for testing. During these interviews, we aimed to understand the usage patterns of heavy mobile users, observing their behavior, charging frequency, storage, and cache usage, as well as their habits as game enthusiasts.

Primary reseach

Initial research was completed with internal team members. We interviewed (50+ internal team) and provided feedback based on using 30 days as a primary mobile. Also, we surveyed general Android users’ expectations, especially from avid gamers and influencers who use cameras and editing apps.

After the research, I created the value proposition canvas, which helped me define customer pains and gains.

Subsequently, I strategically devised a lean UX canvas, a key element in formulating the app’s UX strategy. By identifying the main threats such as lack of usage and the app’s non-essential status, I was able to propose effective solutions like push notifications for low memory, malware detection, and battery usage management.

Based on my canvases and research phase, I have developed two personas representing two user groups. I also prioritize users’ needs and goals with PhoneGuard, which helped me generate all the necessary features.

Interaction flow

Key Findings

After analyzing the interviews using single-case and cross-case analysis methods, we drew several conclusions. we found that certain types of mobile usage can result in slower performance, increased storage usage, and reduced processing speed.

Avid gamers tend to use multiple apps simultaneously, which can drain the battery. Social media influencers often use editing software for audio, video, and photos, which can be demanding on processing power. Additionally, activities such as watching videos and active browsing can result in higher battery consumption.

My Approach

I utilized a narrative design approach to guide the team through the user’s journey. This led to the creation of design concepts with added solutions, including device protection, antivirus updates, gamer mode, and optimized battery consumption for our key customer pain points. Some ideas included an e-warranty and a customer support option for prospective customers to test-drive a plan to build trust.