TwoSparx

We made sure it was easy to add new categories and new topics through a custom Content Management System. User management was also important due to the 1:1 invitation process in the MVP, so we set up a clear view of connected accounts via verified phone numbers and emails.

Most products have multiple user personas, but there is usually a primary user type and the users are usually somewhat similar across demographics. For this app, we had two "primary" user personas, and both were expected to be equal users of the app. In addition to the two primaries, we needed to keep parents in mind, since they would likely be the ones setting up the app and handling the onboarding for their children and the grandparents. We worked to develop branding and UI elements that were playful and engaging, as well as easy to read. This was all covered in the Product Groundwork phase of the project.

The app is set up for 1:1 communication with conversation prompts. The prompts are designed to help children learn more about their grandparents, and vice versa. We wanted the app to function similarly to Marco Polo. The first party records a video of themselves talking about the selected topic. The other user is required to send a response on that thread before a new topic can be started. Although the goal is to facilitate asynchronous communication, push notifications can be enabled to allow for a more real-time back-and-forth.

The goal for this MVP was to monitor user behavior and conduct user research so that future development can be focused on what users actually want and need. Instead of building out every feature that seemed like a good idea, we kept the features narrow, knowing that expansion was necessary. This allowed the app owners to keep the budget and timeline reasonable, and focus future spending on the right things.