A message compressor that tidies up rapid short messages into one — a low-hanging-fruit problem solve within an established app.
Challenge
To interview users of messaging apps and identify a shared pain point in one or more apps and come up with a solution. In this case it was WhatsApp and the problem was multiple short messages received in quick succession.
Solution
Create a message compressor where the user can set the time period in their settings via a plug in (i.e. all messages received within 5 minutes), and then all messages received from one person would autostack and compress into one message.
User Pain Point
WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used messaging apps. Everyone communicates in one way or another and for those who use WhatsApp, I was curious if there were any user pain points and if so, could I problem solve within an already established app?
When researching into the way in which we communicate I discovered that users often shared a very specific pain point — they found it annoying to receive a series of rapid, short messages when one, longer message would be better.
Discovery: Research & Analysis
I decided to look into the message compressor function after I had conducted user interviews, with users of WhatsApp.
I asked about the way in which they use the app and their communication habits, before identifying any pain points they had.
A majority mentioned that receiving lots of short messages was a pain point but that as it was a pain point caused by other users (often friends or family) they had resigned themselves to the fact there wasn’t much they could do about it.
This became the focus of my case study as I wanted to see if I could problem solve a solution that would act in harmony with the current WhatsApp template, as an additional setting.
Design: Concepts & Sketching
I reviewed the information gathered from my interviews and, with the help of “Allan’s” user journey and persona, I began using the app and taking notes, sketching out ideas that I felt could solve this problem from the perspective of the user.
After note taking I moved onto initial lo-fidelity concept sketches.
I really enjoyed this process as it was a challenge to make sure any ideas would also fit within the current WhatsApp structure.
It became clear that what I was proposing was an add on plug in, or a functionality that would live within settings.
Wireframes
Initial iterations — Wireframes
Develop: Prototyping
Test: Validation, Usability, Feedback
I completed user testing using the XD prototype with 5 WhatsApp users.
Positive Feedback
They liked the intuitiveness of the design and how it worked within the existing WhatsApp framework. It didn’t require any additional training or prompts which was nice. The ability to reply to a group of messages in one go is also useful as it allows further control and clarity to the user.
“The way the message ‘text bubbles’ are tidied up and become more uniform is a really nice touch.”
Improvements and Suggestions
With this being such a nuanced problem solve its almost unnoticeable, with the main fix being aesthetically, in tidying up the feed.
“Great for those with OCD! However, what’s often annoying about receiving so many messages is not so much the messages themselves but the continuous notification for each one. It would be great if this could be improved as well.”
Design: Iteration and Final Prototype
Solution & Impact Overview
This was a simple solution to a low grade problem, which did well in user testing. It raised further development opportunities within the WhatsApp user experience. A good example of “low hanging fruit” project.
In terms of impact, it worked seamlessly with the current WhatsApp integration and I would envision it being a simple plugin that is toggled within settings. This could be a customised plugin that works across other instant messaging apps, and while it might not be a ‘big fix’, sometimes it is the smallest things that give simple pleasures.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this solution, especially as it involved working with a known app, that had pre defined constraints in place. This lead how I was able to adapt the functionality, while still staying true to the original design. Coming into a project that is already established has pro’s and con’s and I enjoyed problem solving in this way, as it provided an extra layer of structure and focus.