You can hold your coffee cup while typing
UX Case Study
Tech Gloves
Personalized Typing Glove App
Solo Project
Responsibility
UX Research
UX UI Design
User Testing
Tools
Figma
Adobe Illustrator, After Effects, Animate, Premiere Pro
Google Forms
Canva
Overview
The Tech Gloves App is a user-friendly application designed to personalize the functionality of sensor gloves. It allows wearable typing devices to better meet users' needs for typing anytime, anywhere, by combining technology with personalized comfort, ultimately enhancing the typing experience.
Tap this phone screen or click HERE to test the Tech Gloves app
Problem Statement
This project began with a simple question:
Can I complete even one paragraph in this situation?
In a packed train, relying on traditional typing methods is inefficient
Goal
To find a solution to help more people achieve their needs of typing anytime and anywhere.
Design Process
1. Discover
The design aims to create a more ergonomic way of typing. People no longer need to carry a physical keyboard or keep their hands directly in front of the screen. Any surface can be an interface for input. Because the keyboard is virtual, users no longer have to worry about things like tipping a drink on the keyboard. This will reduce the need for users to replace keyboards or even repair laptops.
2. Research
Data Visualization
Competitor Analysis
Mind Map / Affinity Map
User Personas / User Journey Maps
3. Ideate
User Flow
Card Sorting
Information Architecture
Wireframes
4. Design
Moodboard
UI/UX Design
Branding
Prototyping
5. Testing
Usability Testing
Feedback
Research
In 2022, I conducted a survey with 12 questions and 38 participants to explore the use of wearable typing devices and air gesture controllers. Surprisingly, 89.5% of participants had never used these devices. Despite advancements in ergonomic wearable typing devices since 2001, traditional keyboards continue to dominate the market. People use keyboards in diverse environments and ways, but inconvenient settings and the need to maintain specific gestures for extended periods significantly impact typing efficiency and comfort.
Competitors
I researched two wearable typing devices on the market and looked at online user reviews. These devices face challenges with user acceptance, including the need to learn a new way of typing, being uncomfortable to wear and remove, having limited multitasking ability, relying on flat surfaces which lead to mistakes in typing, and requiring specific gestures. Also, connecting these devices to other systems can be complicated.
User Persona
Name: Ada
Age: 26
Occupation: Brand Designer
Bio: Ada, a 26-year-old brand designer, commutes to work by public transport, and often needs to visit clients. With so much time spent commuting each day, Ada wanted to use that time for some text-based work.
Motivations:
It's impractical to open a laptop for work in a crowded subway car with no seats. Ada needs to hold the screen and type while holding the stanchion.
Carrying own devices to squeeze the subway every day is exhausting, especially if you have devices with similar functions in your office.
Goals:
Minimize the devices need to carry and carry only the most necessary parts
Need a keyboard that does not restrict hand movement too much and has no requirements on what surface it is placed on
Guaranteed typing speed
Ada’s Journey map
I created a potential user profile based on questionnaires and feedback from users of existing products. Users like Ada will only be satisfied with a product if it meets their performance expectations. A poor experience can make users feel the purchase was a waste of money and discourage them from using similar products in the future.
What users need is not a simple wearable typing device, but a portable and fully customized typing method.
— Ideate
Tech Gloves make a difference
User Flow
Features of the Tech Gloves App
Calibration
To adapt the Tech Gloves to users' different typing habits, I designed a calibration feature that lets users personalize the input method, fine-tune the sensor activation inside the gloves, and adjust the key width to match their typing preferences.
Connection
I designed the connection interface to let users monitor the real-time connection status of the typing gloves and other devices, making it easy to establish or disconnect the gloves from multiple devices.
Settings
For the settings function, commonly found in most applications, my design concept was to keep it concise and easy to use. I added a search bar to help users quickly find functions within the collapsed menu.
TechStore
Aims to streamline the process, enabling users to effortlessly compare and purchase products at their convenience.
User Testing
Due to constraints in time, technology, and funding, I was unable to use the actual sensor gloves for user testing. Instead, 5 participants simulated the glove fitting process and sensor adjustment through the app's calibration prompts. Participants found the app interface easy to navigate, and those who were initially confused were able to complete all tasks after retrying.
What People Are Saying
“If there were an app like this, I would be more courageous to spend money on typing gloves.”
—Tester, Mother of Two
“Not bad. Can it be used as a mouse? Maybe add a massage function :P”
— Tester, College Student
“It doesn't look difficult, but I'm still worried that my finger muscles won't be able to support all the operations. I want to try an actual product.”
— Tester, About to Retire
A few thoughts when designing this App
In this project, my aim is to showcase the inclusivity of technology and encourage more individuals to explore new tech products. I selected Zen Dots, a font with a futuristic vibe drawn from various sci-fi movie eras, blending different shades of blue to infuse the logo with a tech-savvy aesthetic. This logo merges a glove image with the product initials, while the array of rectangles within symbolize diverse finger dexterity. The goal of the Tech Gloves App is to tailor the gloves to accommodate users' unique hand conditions and ensure efficient typing experience.
