IA   ISHRAQ ASHTARIAN
Visual Designer User Experience Designer Interaction Designer  
A designer passionate about tackling complex challenges through innovative thinking, embracing the problem itself as the key to finding the right solution.

What Skills I Showcase Here?
Creative Talents / Hands-on Approach from Concepts Through Iterative Design / Exploring the Emerging World of AI and its Potential Future/ UX Instincs / Interaction Design / Tackling Complex Challenges Using Visuals / Animation / Innovative Thinking / Passion for Technology, Art, and Culture. 


Projects
1.  HeartStone
2. Exert Platforms
3. Dissolution: Entwined Realities
4. Q-Uniform
5. Raccoonada


Tools
Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Blender 3D, Premiere Pro

About
Inspirations


 
Project Two 

Exert Platforms


Project
User Experience for Social Good and User Interaction Design

Role
UX & Interaction Designer, User Researcher
Description
This user experience design for social good is a free, reference my hands-on approach in concept design, brainstorming, sketching, prototyping, testing, and iterating on ideas.  Exert is a community-driven app that connects sports enthusiasts of all levels by facilitating peer-to-peer skill-sharing and empowers individuals to achieve their fitness goals without the financial burden of coaching or training.



Problem
Many sports enthusiasts struggle to find affordable and
accessible opportunities to improve their skills and connect
with like-minded individuals. Traditional methods of training,
such as hiring a personal trainer or joining a gym, can be costly
and time-consuming.Goal
Exert  will let users connect with other users based on sports interests and skill levels, enabling them to share knowledge and skills without financial barriers. This will empower sports enthusiasts to learn new skills, improve their performance, and build a supportive community.
We will measure effectiveness by tracking the number of skill-sharing sessions initiated, user satisfaction with the learning experience.

Unerstanding the User
To gain a deeper understanding of the target users' needs and pain points, we conducted user interviews and created user personas. Initially, we assumed that the primary challenge for sports
enthusiasts was finding training partners.
However, through our research, we discovered that accessibility, affordability, and community building were equally important factors. These insights will guide the design of the app, ensuring that it
meets the diverse needs of our users.
Pain points:

  1. Difficulty finding reliable and compatible training partners
  2. Lack of accessible and affordable coaching or training
  3. Limited opportunity for community building and social interaction
  4. Challenges in tracking progress and setting goals
User Persona 1

“I want to improve my tennis game and get in shape, but I need a training partner and a gym buddy.”



Jake is a busy professional who wants to stay fit and improve his tennis game. He's looking for a training partner who can help him with his tennis skills and, in return, he can offer to be a gym buddy and provide weightlifting advice.


Age: 23
Education: Bachelor's in Business Administration
Hometown: Kingston, ON
Family: Lives with roommates
Occupation: Marketing Analyst



Goal
  • Learn weightlifting techniques from a knowledgeable partner
  • Share his tennis skills with others
Frustrations
  • Difficulty finding a consistent training partner
  • Lack of access to affordable personal training
  • Limited opportunities to learn new sports skills


Problem StatementJake is a busy professional who is passionate about fitness and sports. He needs a convenient way to connect with like-minded individuals who can provide training and support without the high cost of personal training, so he can improve his fitness and achieve his athletic goals.



User Persona 2

"I love playing chess, but I can't find people to play with who are patient and understanding."



Sara is a passionate chess player who uses a wheelchair. She finds it difficult to participate in traditional chess clubs and tournaments due to accessibility issues. She’s looking for a platform to connect with other chess enthusiasts who are willing to play with her online or in person, and who are patient enough to accommodate her needs.

Age: 25
Education: Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Family: Lives with parents
Occupation: Online tutor



Goal
  • Find chess opponents who are patient and understanding
  • Learn new chess strategies and tactics
  • Join a supportive community of chess enthusiasts
Frustrations
  • Difficulty finding accessible chess clubs or tournaments
  • Limited opportunities to play chess with others
  • Challenges in finding opponents who are willing to accommodate her disability


Problem StatementSara is a dedicated chess player with a disability. She needs a platform to connect with a diverse community of patient and understanding chess players, so she can enjoy playing chess and improve her skills without facing accessibility barriers.
User Journey Map

Crazy Eight (Rapid Sketching)



  1. Sports Selecting - A screen where users can choose from a list of sports they are interested in or want to learn.

  2. Skill-Sharing - A feature that allows users to offer or request specific skills.

  3. Potential Match - A screen that suggests potential training partners based on shared interests, location, and skill level.

  4. Exploring Events - A section that lists local sports events.

  5. Tracking Progress -  A personalized dashboard where users can track their workouts, set goals, and monitor their improvement.

  6. Social Media Posting - Users share their fitness journey on social media platforms.

  7. Meeting New People in Public

  8. Paying Money to a Trainer - A feature that allows users to connect with trainers and pay for personalized training sessions.
User Flow
Paper and Digital Wireframes





































                                            








Low-Fidelity Prototype
The low-fidelity prototypes illustrate a user flow that guides users through the app's key features. Users begin by creating a profile, specifying their sports interests and skill levels. The app's robust matching algorithm then connects users with compatible training partners based on shared interests, location, and availability. Once connected, users can communicate through the built-in messaging system, schedule training sessions.

Incorporating feedback from the peer review process, the wireframes have been refined to enhance user experience and clarity. The onboarding process has been streamlined, and the user interface has been optimized for better readability and navigation. Additionally, the app's features have been expanded to include a more robust skill-sharing platform and a personalized feed that highlights relevant content based on user preferences.


Link to the prototype in Figma
Research Plan and Test
Research Questions
  • How easy is it for users to create a profile and
    complete the required information?
  • Can users successfully search for and find potential
    training partners based on their interests and location?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Time on task
  • User error rates
  • Conversion rates

Methodology
  • Unmoderated usability study.​
  • Location: United States, remote (participants will go through the usability study in their own homes). 
  • Date: Sessions will take place on October 23 and 24.
  • Five participants complete the profile and find potential partner tasks on their own. Each participant completes a questionnaire on their experience privately. 
  • Each session will last 45 minutes and will include an introduction, a list of tasks, and a short questionnaire.

Participants
  • Participants are people who are looking to improve their skills or find training partners and who can offer guidance and training to others. 
  • 2 male, 2 female, 1 non-binary, all aged 18–50 years old.
  • Incentive: $10 Starbucks gift card redeemable at any location or online.


Introduction
Title: Creating Exert sports skill-sharing app
Author: Ishraq Ashtarian, UX researcher, ishraqashtarian@gmail.com
Stakeholders: Exert app users

Date: 08-10-2023

Project Background: The goal of this project is to develop a user-friendly mobile app that facilitates peer-to-peer skill-sharing among sports enthusiasts. By connecting individuals with similar interests, the app aims to create a supportive community, promote skill development, and provide affordable access to training and coaching.

Research Goal: To assess the usability and user experience of the current prototype, focusing on how easily users can complete key tasks such as creating a profile and connecting with other users.
Script
  • Prompt 1: Profile Creation 
    Please create a profile on the app, providing your name, preferred sports, skill level, and location.
  • Prompt 2. Search Functionality
    Search for potential training partners who share your interests and are located in your area.
  • Prompt 3. Connect with a Partner 
    Initiate a conversation with a potential training partner by sending them a message.
  • Prompt 4. Messages
    Send a message to a potential training partner to introduce yourself and discuss potential training opportunities.
  • Prompt 5. Schedule a Training Session 
    Use the messaging app's features to schedule a training session with a partner, considering factors like location, time, and duration.