ai chat
Project: a cutting edge ai powered chat app where you could chat with fictional characters of your own creation.
Duration: The month of January 2022
The Objective
I was the sole designer on a small team working on an MVP for this project.
My responsibilities involved creating a logo, refining existing wireframes and crafting an interactive prototype with Figma.
Logo Design
At first, I was put on this project to design the logo for the app. To do so, I first did a lot of research on existing text app logos which helped with inspiration for what is currently beloved in the collective consciousness for a chat app.
With each logo iteration I was focusing on something simple, playing with a recognizable chat bubble icon while mixing in elements of a robot-face to distinguish our brand from other chat apps.
This led to the design of the character chat icons which are used as a default for each character in the app.
Digital Wireframes
Working with Figma, I refined existing wireframes on the project. Doing so, I was able to sell team leads on adjusted features for the app while working with developers to ensure all proposed changes were feasible.
High-Fidelity Prototypes
I developed an interactive hi-fi prototype of all the MVP screens for this app in Figma. At first, it was challenging to find the right colour palette and typeface to meet the feel of the app that would convey the appropriate message. After a fair bit of research and exploration, I ended up deciding on a futuristic font that felt grounded, legible, and fun. As for the colours, I found mixing in shades of indigo and violet would take advantage of the collective mind map around technological and futuristic concepts in popular media.
I had fun working side by side with developers to ensure the designs and user experience considerations would be achievable and realistic to code. By being present with the programmers as we worked, I helped answer all questions on design as they came up while developing the product. This effort resulted in ultimately translating the UX designs into a usable, accessible and enjoyable MVP.
Design Details
I ended up doing lots of research with existing popular chat apps. Learning what works best and what users are most frustrated with, I came up with intuitive and simple interfaces that are user friendly and fun to engage in.
It was important for me to use grids as a framework to help me quickly shape a structured, clean and well-aligned interface so that users would be able to easily scan, read and use each screen intuitively.
Collaborating closely and incorporating feedback from other team members, the art director, and occasionally other visual designers, I was able to create and pass off a coherent brand identity for the MVP product within launch deadline.
