University Projects

This sitemap explains the journey that the user will take to access different features when using the app. This includes the messaging features, calling features and the newly gamified elements which I have added to the application. Original Application Modified Application As you can see, I have removed a number of features from the original WhatsApp application but have kept the main features that users find most important.

These are a number of wireframe sketches showing how I would gamify this application. I have improved the chat feature by: Changing the message box shape, Changing the 'recording' button to a permanent send button, Removing the WhatsApp camera button from the message box, Removing the ability to send an image/video using the WhatsApp camera in attachments, Removing the ability to send a contact to another contact in attachments, Changed the delivery report symbol to using colours (e.g. green = delivered, amber = sent, red = failure to send) Gamified Elements added: Adding an achievements feature where completing an objective the specific amount of times stated allows you to unlock customisable features in the app, When sending a document, image or audio/recording an animation will play. The user then can swipe up to post the media into the letter box which sends it to the contact or can swipe down to delete the media and cancel sending the media, Wirefra...

I have sketched a number of wireframe sketches improving the application in terms of making it more user-friendly. Modifications: - WhatsApp Header smaller and includes 'Chats', 'Calls' and 'Contacts' as tabs instead of 'Chats', 'Status' and 'Calls', Removed the search and camera features from the WhatsApp header, Calling, video calling and additional information shortcuts added to each conversation in the chat feature removing these options from the pop-up (Found when clicking on a contacts image), Removed the message button at the bottom of the chat feature which links to starting a new conversation with a contact (This option can be found in the contacts tab instead), Removed the add call button at the bottom of the call log feature (This option can be found in the contacts tab instead), Added the option to re-call, re-video call, message and find additional information as shortcuts in the call log  (Found by holding down on ...

The definition of Ludic is: "Showing spontaneous and undirected playfulness." Therefore ludic elements I have included are:  Achievements that are awarded to the user  Unlockable items from getting achievements - Which unlock customisable features in the app Gamified animations when sending Documents, Images and Audio Bibliography & References [1] https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/ludic

Gamification is beneficial when designing an application as it allows the user to interact with the app in a fun way. It keeps the user entertained and gives the user another reason to continuing using the app while keeping the app's main functionality. Moreover a sense of progress gives the user an incentive to use the app more as they want to continue unlocking features and earning achievements. WhatsApp's main function is to allow users to message, call and send attachments over a Wi-Fi or data connection. Therefore saving a user's minutes and text's if they are running low and allowing them to use additional features that they may not be able to use (e.g. video calling) when using only their phone.

I decided to design some of the aspects of WhatsApp I would choose to gamify which mainly included aspects of the chat feature as from my market research the chat feature was one of my most important features of the app. Therefore, I decided to gamify the attachment and calling section of this feature. Furthermore, I wanted to add achievements to the app so that people are tempted to continue playing the app. I would also remove features that users do not seem to use very often or if at all making the app more effective.

Furthermore in my market research my last question was: "What new feature(s) would you like to add to WhatsApp?" Although the majority of the participants answered with the responses 'none', or 'nothing' three participants included features they wished to add to WhatsApp. This included: These are all features that could easily be implemented into the app by a programmer and are definite design considerations when designing the gamified version of this app.