StriKor Case Study
A responsive website offering a seamless pickup match booking experience.
Project Timeline
80 hours
Project Type
Sports
Booking Experiences
Conceptual
Contributor
Simran Singal
UX/ UI Designer
My Contributions
UX Research
UI Design
Brand Design
Background
As the dynamics of life impose interruptions, many casual football players find themselves temporarily detached from a once-beloved sport. Academic and professional demands often result in a hiatus, leaving enthusiasts yearning to reintegrate football into their routines. The challenge lies in overcoming the hiatus, reconnecting with playing buddies, and navigating the unfamiliar terrain of engaging with strangers in pickup matches.
These dilemmas reveal a broader issue faced by football enthusiasts – the struggle to organize matches due to a shortage of players and inadequate playing fields. Consequently, this leads to a noticeable decline in passion for the sport. The essence of the problem lies in the absence of a seamless, hassle-free process for enthusiasts to join games without the burden of logistical concerns.
In addressing these challenges, our UX process aims to explore innovative solutions that empower casual players to effortlessly engage in football without the need for intricate organizing or assembling of players. By understanding the unique journeys of our users, we seek to revitalize the enthusiasm and commitment towards football, making it a seamless and enjoyable part of their lives once again.
Dive into the football scene in India
I first encountered this topic through my cousin, and being a complete newcomer to the sport, I needed to grasp the basics.
When looking to join a football game without the hassle of organizing and managing logistics, along with gathering enough players, many opt for a 'pickup match.' Participants secure their spot or that of a friend, pay a nominal fee, and simply show up to play with others who booked similarly. These matches are typically informally organized by a player, who initiates a group chat within their neighborhood, workplace, or housing community to announce upcoming matches for players to quickly reserve their spot.
While group chats are the primary method, other community platforms like Meetup are also in use.
Despite the convenience of this player-organized approach, it comes with its own set of challenges, detailed by players themselves in the competitor analysis and empathy mapping below.
Now, let's delve into it!
Competitor Research
WhatsApp groups have emerged as the primary method for booking pickup matches in India. To assess the current booking process and its pros and cons, I joined several of these groups. While these chat groups offer quick and convenient communication with organizers, the overall process is manual and lacks organization. The booking itself is swift, but there's a need for a more structured approach to benefit both players and organizers. Additionally, the infrequency and small-sided nature of the matches leave many without an opportunity to play. Beginner players may feel uncomfortable joining such games, with no structured skill advancement available.
Apps like Playo and Sportido are also notable players in the organized match booking arena. Playo offers user-generated matches across various sports, allowing users to book a spot. However, the user-generated matches are not always well-organized, leading to less confidence and subsequent no-shows. On the other hand, Sportido allows users to join a group of players and pay upfront for a set number of matches. Despite its organized approach, the hefty upfront payment is a deterrent for players accustomed to the nominal fees charged by chat groups, making them more hesitant to use the platform compared to alternatives.
To get more in-depth information about players experiences, I decided to conduct some interviews to empathize with the player psyche better.
User Interviews to Affinity Mapping!
I reached out to individuals via football group chats and requested brief conversations before their scheduled games. All interviews took place on the bleachers of nearby football fields. Additionally, I spoke with players who booked matches through various platforms mentioned earlier, conducting concise yet focused interviews to understand their experiences in suitable detail.
Example questions
Why do you engage in pickup matches?
Can you walk me through your current match booking process?
What aspects of booking a match are frustrating for you?
What aspects do you appreciate in your current booking process?
Upon compiling the interview data, distinct patterns emerged from this comprehensive study.
Problem Statement
I aim to investigate solutions that alleviate the discomfort experienced by amateur soccer players when participating in pickup matches with strangers. The goal is to facilitate the formation of at least one meaningful connection or familiar acquaintance in every pickup game.
As players predominantly engaged in matches with strangers, a prevalent concern emerged: the natural apprehension of fitting in and feeling comfortable through a degree of familiarity. This primary concern overshadowed other issues, which were perceived as less significant. Consequently, the above problem statement became the central focus of this process.
User Personas
These two personas diverge initially in their objectives – one prioritizes socializing, while the other seeks an intense workout. Consequently, their distinct challenges and needs stem from these varying goals.
Yuvraj, The Fired-Up Player
Active and fitness-driven, Yuvraj loves football for its team spirit and healthy competition. Limited by a busy life, he opts for pickup games to stay fit. Challenges with assessing strangers' skills persist, yet Yuvraj occasionally involves friends to infuse energy and relive the thrill of soccer. His goals: stay fit, stay active, and rediscover the joy of the sport.
Abhishek, The Friendly Player
Abhishek, a dedicated football player, paused his hobby during college but now aims to revive it for a fresh perspective on life. Keen on meeting new people and having fun, he occasionally books pickup matches, integrating strangers for team play. This aligns with his goal of expanding his social circle and enjoying the game with friends.
Solution Overview
Enhanced Match Booking Experience:
The design maintains the quick and seamless experience of booking matches while elevating the process's organization and professionalism. By digitizing the original mental model of match booking, the platform showcases nearby pickup matches with all relevant details upfront. Players can effortlessly select the desired number of slots, make payments, and gain immediate access to match information, addressing the concern of venue details and contact information upon arrival.
Player Feedback Survey Feature:
Recognizing the apprehension of playing with strangers, a key focus is on creating comfort through player familiarity. After each match, players receive a player list and can 'star' those they enjoyed playing with. This feature enhances the booking process by displaying the 'starred' players on match cards for subsequent bookings. Users gain insight into the number of 'starred' or repeat players in each match, fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort. This ensures players don't feel like they're playing with total strangers, creating a sense of bonding even before formal friendships are established.
User Flows
I crafted three primary user flows for this product.
1) Sign Up Flow: A streamlined and efficient sign-up process designed for a quick start, minimizing the information required from players. The emphasis is on simplicity, ensuring players can swiftly join the platform and begin booking matches without unnecessary delays.
2) Book a Match Flow: The pivotal flow of the platform, prioritizing speed, and intuition, providing just enough information for confident match booking. The introduction of a 'Player Details' page for users booking spots for friends facilitates the creation of informal profiles for them, aiding in the completeness of the Player Feedback Survey feature. Despite enhancements, the flow remains true to the original mental model, aligning with user expectations for a satisfying booking experience.
3) Player Feedback Survey Flow: Modeled after the quick feedback or rating flows seen in various apps, this flow envisions a feedback banner on the home page. The banner seamlessly opens into a non-intrusive and straightforward modal for quick player feedback.
Sketches
Exploring diverse directions to visualize match cards and overall element display made sketching a delightful phase for this concept. Beginning with the mobile version, I transitioned to the desktop version, prioritizing ease in adding elements for the larger screen. Focusing on essentials was imperative, aiming to minimize clutter and avoid overwhelming users during the swift decision-making process of booking matches. The design aimed to strike a balance, offering enough information and confidence without burdening users with unnecessary details. Designing the Player Feedback Survey presented a challenging yet intriguing task, and the goal was to maintain simplicity, ensuring players quickly grasp the logic behind filling out the feedback.
Sitemap
Brand Design
Centering the brand around the essence of the sport, I crafted an identity that exudes a blend of fun and intensity while authentically capturing the team spirit and camaraderie inherent in team sports, particularly football.
High Fidelity Wireframes
Testing the Prototype
I facilitated moderated testing with three players to evaluate our design decisions and assess the platform's ease of use for booking pickup matches. A crucial aspect was examining the match booking flow to ensure the platform could replicate and improve upon the existing booking experience for players. Additionally, the introduction of the new feature, focusing on building player familiarity, underwent testing to gauge its logic's clarity and its perceived intrusiveness or acceptance among players.
Sign Up Flow: A streamlined and straightforward process ensuring players can swiftly browse and book matches. The focus was on evaluating the informativeness of the landing page, aiming to provide enough details for players to understand the platform's purpose and spark their interest.
Book a Match Flow: An exploration of the flow's intuitiveness and speed, aligned with the players' original booking process. The assessment included gathering feedback on the 'Player Details' page, specifically examining its clarity and non-intrusiveness when players booked multiple spots, aiming for a seamless and comprehensible experience.
Player Feedback Survey Flow: Testing the coherence of this feature and the UI's clarity in guiding players through the process. The goal was to ensure the feature's purpose was clear, and players understood the actions required of them.
Feedback Synthesis
Player Feedback Survey (Now called StarMates)
Match Page
StarMates Feature Page
Moving Forward
After 80 hours of development, Strikor has evolved into a refined and efficient platform for booking football pickup matches. Simultaneously, it actively fosters a sense of community among players, ensuring they don't feel adrift in a sea of strangers but rather experience a swift sense of belonging after just a few matches.
Looking forward to the product launch, there's an opportunity to consider incorporating user-generated matches, transitioning from solely Strikor-managed matches. This approach allows the onboarding of existing group chats onto the platform, positioning Strikor not as a competitor but as a valuable aid to current organizers. Additionally, potential features like equipment rental and buying could enhance the platform's offerings. Furthermore, Strikor can organize competitions and mini football leagues, engaging teams and amplifying the excitement for the sport.