Bejeweled
Overview
Bejeweled is an educational and social networking app concept designed to educate and connect geology lovers. The app will allow users to share their findings online, log and organize their collections, and allow rock shop owners to promote sales and new inventory.
Solution
Bejeweled’s interface features deep earthy tones and an angular san-serif type that highlights elements of crystals, drawing users to explore all ends of the app including a social media page, a rock identification scanner, a collection page where users can make a digital journal of their stones, and a wellness log if users choose to user their rocks for healing.
Let me talk you through my design process :)
Brand Tools
The Bejeweled logo is a single-point crystal usually colored in #c4bacf and #f7f5f5. The logo mark can stand alone when used as a push button on the app otherwise it functions as a logo lockup with the Bejeweled typeface centered below. I chose Josefin Sans as the typeface of the app because of its angular qualities that mimic the points of a crystal. Additionally, I chose an array of mossy green tones and soft blue, purple, and white tones to play into the app’s soothing and earthy identity. Hand-drawn icons create visual information for viewers that contrast text-heavy pages.
Screens
Bejeweled is accessed by the bottom toolbar which includes the scan button, used to identify rocks, the clipboard, where users can log their collections, the home screen, the social media tab, where users can share findings and store owners can promote sales, and the add button where users upload photos and captions to the social media page. Each current page becomes highlighted by the crystal icon.
Understanding consumers and creating personas. “Who will use Bejeweled?”
Forest Smith
Male, 52
An avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking several times a week. He is unfamiliar with social media but would like a simple and easy way to share his natural findings. He enjoys using bejeweled because of its simplicity and ability to organize his extensive collection of rocks.
Crystal Williams
Female, 18
Newly interested in crystals. She downloaded the app to explore different kinds of rocks and learn about the crystals she owns.
David Blue
Male, 35
Owns a local San Diego crystal store. He downloaded Bejeweled to better connect with his customers and drive new customers to his store. He enjoys interacting with his customers via Bejeweled as well as logging his own collection into the app.
Gemma Jackson
Female, 21
Passionate about collecting and learning about crystals. She has an extensive collection of crystals and loves visiting all of the San Diego crystal stores. She downloaded Bejeweled to organize her collection and learn more about crystals. She also enjoys seeing the new updates about sales local shops are having and seeing what new stones her friends have posted.
Process
Before thinking about color, type, and layout I wanted to hone in on just who would be using this app so I could create a design that functioned in the way that would be best for my users. I created various personas to keep in the back of my mind when making design choices. While designing Bejeweled, I spent lots of time pen to paper sketching out screen orientations, figuring out how she wanted the app to flow, and performing user tests to see if my design made sense. Asking “What is comfortable for users?” and “How will they get from one page to the next?” From here I began working with color and bringing my final designs to life.
