This project explored user experience design in creating a prototype of a navigation and information app for the International Schoenstatt Retreat Center located in Waukesha, WI. Situated on 200 acres of picturesque hills, farmland and walking trails, many people come from all over the world to visit as well as local people who stop in to pray in the chapel (called the “shrine”). I see this app having the information of the hours the shrine is open or if it is reserved for a private event during the daytime hours. In addition, the app would have guided tours of places of historical significance, and maps of the walking trails on the land. The retreat center can sleep around 60 persons and is open for both overnight retreats as well as day events, so this app could include a cost-estimator for the organizers of a retreat. The app could indicate the availability of rooms and a place to register for retreats. There would be quick and easy access to live-streamed events held in the shrine or retreat center.
Research Process
The existing colors and logo for Schoenstatt are yellow and blue. I worked with in the brand guidelines while introducing some variations of the colors.
The first step of testing the app was creating lo-fi prototype using paper sketches, overlayed paper, and the app Marvel (https://marvelapp.com/prototype/6b3iag5/screens)
Prototypes
Prototype work in Adobe XD showing both lo-fidelity and high-fidelity screens:
Reception of app prototype
I send a link to the shared prototype published on the web to all those who had directly supported as well as to the people I had interviewed at the beginning of this project.
Feedback from the employees at the Retreat Center as well as regular visitors there:
- “How hard would it be to make this real?”
- “I think this app would be super helpful, especially if visitors would know about it when they enter our property (if we had a sign or something).”
- “I wonder if there would be a different title for the media page. I think the information there (especially the self-guided tours and prayers) is super useful and helpful, but wonder if there is a different title that would make sure that people click on that page and get there.”
- “I do think that it would be helpful. Especially the updated information on the home screen where it states when the Shrine is open or occupied. The other information seems also helpful to me.”
Feedback from friends I saw at a benefit dinner. I was able to have them do some user testing with XD on my phone. This was their first time hearing about the app concept:
- “I like that there are the prayers on there. That would be so useful when I visit the shrine.”
- “Beautiful!”
- “I would be able to know better what is going on.”