Quikstik
An exercise device and app built for homebodies
My Roles:
User Research & Testing • UX • Branding • Marketing • Manufacturing
Type:
Solo School Project
Project Overview
The misson
In one of my Senior year Product Design classes, I was asked to partner with Ikea and develop a product for them that would help parents working from home during the pandemic. I was assigned 3 Ikea customers to interview and develop a product for.
The outcome
I designed a line of portable and compact home exercise equipment that leverages technology for an intense workout and social experience. Users can compete with and support other users in short, high-intensity, structured workouts via a mobile app that syncs their data. The exercise devices share a set of detachable handles with motion sensors to track users' biometrics and activity levels. I presented the concept to the Product Design team at Ikea and received positive feedback.
User Research
I interviewed 3 parents working from home during the pandemic to understand their needs and their problems.
The solution
After analyzing my interview notes, I came to the conclusion that exercise and socialization was one of the basic humans needs missing from all three of the participants daily life. I began to think of design principles that would best fit the needs of one of the interviewees, John. He missed going to the gym and talking with others but he didn’t have the money or space to get a Peloton. He needed a small, quick, inspiring, cheap, social workout device all from home.
What is it and how does it work?
The free mobile app recreates gym experience where people compete, entertain, and inspire one another.
One set of tech-enabled handles can be connected to any one of the three workout devices.
I choose this solution because it is...
1. Quick to set up and takes up little space
Every piece is compact, simple, and lightweight. Most of the time, there would be no set up at all, other than opening the app and choosing a challenge to do. In the case that you do want to change the extension, the attachment would be "push and twist," making the set up very quick. All extensions would be able to fit in a single bag. The name (Quikstik) highlights both the easy set up and quickness of the workout.
2. Low upfront cost
Selling the various pieces separately makes the price seem much more manageable. The handles (where all the tech is) would be underpriced. The big money would come from attachment purchases, of which we would eventually have 5+ options that users can choose from.
3. Social and inspiring for out-of-shape individuals
I wanted something that could inspire the average, out-of-shape person to workout hard, get inspired, and have fun: the app allows you to complete with other users and make new friends as you struggle together. It would be marketed as an app for the common person, without any bodybuilders in the commercials.
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The Thigh/Arm Crunch
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The Jump Rope
Arm Curl
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Group shot
What did I learn?
1. Needfinding
I learned how to come into an interview completely open-minded with just a general goal to improve the user's life in some way and come out with a clear understanding of the user's needs and issues.
2. User Profiling and Segmentation
I learned how to breakdown user groups and deep dive into a user profile to understand the needs, concerns, and corresponding design principles.
3. CAD and rendering
I learned how to create high quality, realistic renders of CAD models. I learned a ton about Blender and AutoCAD.