Parenting Pal
Parenting Pal aims to help new parents, grandparents, or anyone caring for a new baby. This project is part of the Google UX Certificate program.
Project Overview
The Parenting Pal app is a mobile application designed to cater to the needs of new parents as they raise a healthy and happy child. This app aims to be a go-to resource, offering comprehensive information and expert guidance, ensuring that parents feel confident and well-equipped to handle the challenges of early parenthood.
I recognize that some new parents or other caregivers have limited English abilities. The integrated translation capability gives everyone equal access to crucial information.
Tools
Figma
Timeline
June - July 2023
My Role
UX Designer
Researcher
Background
The Problem
Being a new parent without access to essential information can add to the already overwhelming and daunting task of raising a child.
This lack of information leaves many first-time parents unsure of how to navigate the challenges of caring for their new baby.
Design Process
Parenting Pal contains a user-centric design that focuses on understanding and meeting the unique needs of new parents. The design process involved the three key stages below, thus ensuring that Parenting Pal becomes an indispensable tool in supporting parents throughout their journey.
Empathize
I began by immersing myself in the world of new parents by actively listening to their experiences and challenges.
User Research
I conducted user research to gain deep insights into new parents' needs, pain points, and preferences. This gave me the opportunity to lay a strong foundation for creating an app that meets these diverse needs.
Define
With a clear understanding of new parents’ needs, I used the information to make a problem statement and user personas.
Interviews
In-depth interviews were conducted with parents of varying backgrounds and experiences and soon-to-be parents to understand their expectations and challenges during the early stages of parenthood. These interviews allowed me to explore topics such as sleep routines, feeding schedules, baby care, safety concerns, and emotional support needs.
Lessons Learned
What do new parents want in an app?
Reliable Information: participants emphasized the importance of evidence-based content that is easy to understand
Intuitive user interface: clear organization of content that users can intuitively navigate through from the moment they open the app for the first time
Personalized content: content that is tailored to their baby’s age and development stage
Community: users would like to connect with other parents going through the same experiences
Pain Points
Not enough time: new parents may be juggling work, childcare, and other household responsibilities
Where to go for help?: some new parents may not know where to turn for help when they have questions or concerns
Lack of instant information: users may need information quickly at any time of the day
Feeling isolated: friends and family sometimes don’t understand what new parents are going through
Lofi Wireframes
First Iteration
The User
User Journey
The table to the right shows a potential user’s journey as they prepare for the baby’s arrival and continues as they raise their baby
Lofi Prototype Screenshot
The Goal
As the saying goes, no instruction manual comes with being a new parent.
The goal of Parenting Pal is to help cover this need by connecting users with articles that provide expert advice and practical tips for ensuring a happy and healthy start for both baby and family.
Ideate
User testing and feedback helped to refine the design, ensuring that it aligns perfectly with the needs of target users.
Surveys
Brief surveys were used to gather quantitative data that assessed trends and patterns among a broader demographic of new parents.
Hifi Mockups
Usability Testing
Five participants used the first iteration of the high-fidelity mockups of the Parenting Pal app for usability testing.
The goal of the testing was to identify any usability issues with the app through analysis of the test results. Based on those observations and participant feedback, improvements were made.
Key Insights:
4 out of 5 participants stated that they would prefer softer colors used for the app
5 out of 5 participants liked the translation feature, stating that their parents could also benefit from the app
4 out of 5 participants liked the general layout of the app but suggested some refinements
Some participants were pleased with the idea of having a go-to app when they were new parents. Others expressed an interest in a similar app if they have children in the future.
Second Iteration
Takeaways
Lessons Learned
Developing and researching for Parenting Pal gave me invaluable insights into parenthood's unique challenges and joys. Understanding the diverse needs of new parents was crucial in designing an app that could truly support them in their journey.
The significance of simplicity in the app's interface was a cornerstone that helped throughout the design process, as I did not want to add more stress to already overwhelmed new parents.
The following two lessons were the most valuable:
• Flexibility was key because I recognized that each parent's approach to caregiving was different. Integrating a myriad of reliable resources was pivotal in instilling confidence and easing parents' anxieties.
• The process of creating Parenting Pal reinforced the importance of empathy, continuous learning, and dedication in developing a product that positively impacts the lives of new parents from many backgrounds.
Next Steps
Further usability testing will be conducted in the future to continue to refine and improve Parenting Pal.
A community section will also be developed, allowing parents to connect to other caregivers and exchange information, advice, and tips.
Foreign language integration will also be further developed to allow anyone caring for a new baby to access vital information and help raise a new generation of healthy children.