Ani is an anime-centered app designed to connect anime enthusiasts. It serves as a social platform where users can discover the latest releases, stay updated with community news, and engage with fellow fans.
Full-Time
Ani
August 2023 -
April 2024
Contributions
UI Design
UX Design
Team
Francene Roberts ( UI Designer)
Vania Gunawan ( UI Designer)
Sergio Rojas ( UI Designer)
Context
Have you ever wished for a dedicated space where you can immerse yourself in anime culture, connect with fellow fans, and even create custom anime-inspired art effortlessly?
Welcome to Ani, the ultimate anime-centered app designed for enthusiasts like you. Ani is not just a social platform; it's a vibrant community where you can discover the latest anime releases, stay updated with news, chat with other fans, and unleash your creativity with our AI image generation feature. Whether you want to track your anime journey, participate in group discussions, or explore your artistic side, Ani provides the perfect environment to enhance your anime experience.
Ani caters to anime enthusiasts looking for a community-driven platform to connect, stay updated on anime news, and engage creatively through features like AI image generation.
Target Audience
Key Takeaways
Community Focus: Ani fosters a vibrant community where anime enthusiasts can connect, share, and engage.
Feature-Rich Platform: It offers a range of features including AI image generation, chatrooms, and tracking tools for anime and manga.
Creativity and Customization: Users can express their creativity through AI-generated artwork and customize their anime experience.
User Research
Conducted surveys and interviews with 50 active Ani users to understand their interest in AI-generated art and their pain points in creating anime-inspired images.
70% of users expressed a strong interest in generating custom anime images.
60% reported feeling intimidated by traditional art creation methods.
Users desired easy-to-use tools that still offered customization options.
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis Conclusions
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Apps like IllusionAI, with strong community features, tend to engage users better. Adding more community interaction could benefit all apps.
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Different models like subscriptions (Animagic), freemium (IllusionAI), and free with premium options (Niji Journey) suit different user expectations and revenue needs.
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Continual improvements in AI technology are essential. Ensuring user-friendly interfaces and reliable performance enhances satisfaction.
Ideation
AI Image Generator User FLow
Low fidelity prototyping was a crucial initial step in the development of the AI image generation feature for Ani. It allowed us to quickly visualize and iterate on the user flow without investing significant time and resources. This phase involved creating basic sketches and wireframes to outline the structure and functionality of the feature.
Low Fidelity Prototyping: Initial Steps and Decisions
Implementation
Worked closely with developers to ensure the design was feasible and optimized for performance. Used design systems and tools like Figma and Marvel to create interactive prototypes.
Challenges Faced
Balancing simplicity with advanced customization.
Ensuring quick loading times for generated images.
Integrating monetization without disrupting user experience.
Development Collaboration
Testing and Validation
Usability Testing - Introduction
We recruited 10 participants from the US and Canada, with diverse backgrounds and interests in anime and manga:
Demographics:
Ages: 18-35
Locations: New York, Toronto, San Francisco, Vancouver, etc.
Interests: All participants had a strong interest in anime and manga.
Methodology
We used a combination of moderated and unmoderated testing sessions:
Moderated Sessions: Conducted via Zoom, where participants were guided through tasks and asked to think aloud.
Unmoderated Sessions: Participants used the app independently and completed a post-test survey.
Tasks:
Generate an image using a custom prompt.
Customize the image with models and settings.
Pay 4 Ani coins to generate the image.
View and select one of the generated images.
Post the image to the Ani main feed.
Key Findings
Success Rates: 75% of participants successfully completed the tasks.
Completion Times: Average time to generate and post an image was 5 minutes.
Feedback:
Positive: Users appreciated the "Surprise Me" prompt and the variety of customization options.
Pain Points: Some users found the advanced settings confusing and requested more guidance.
Improvements Made
Based on the feedback, we implemented the following changes:
Guidance: Added tooltips and a help section to explain advanced settings.
Streamlined Process: Simplified the customization options.
User Interface: Enhanced the layout and visual design for better usability.
These improvements significantly enhanced the overall user experience, making the AI image generation feature more accessible and enjoyable for all Ani users.
High Fidelity Prototyping
After conducting extensive user testing on our low fidelity prototypes, we moved to the high fidelity stage, refining our designs and incorporating user feedback to create a realistic and interactive experience.
High Fidelity Prototyping
Using Figma, we created high fidelity prototypes that showcased the final visual design, including precise color schemes, typography, and layout. These prototypes were designed to reflect the polished look and feel of the Ani app, ensuring brand consistency and an engaging user experience.
Usability Testing for High Fidelity
Usability testing was conducted to evaluate key features and design elements in our high fidelity prototypes. This phase helped us understand what works well and what needs improvement through user feedback and interactive sessions.
High Fidelity Screens
These screens showcase the finalized visual and interactive elements that enhance usability and user engagement. Each screen is crafted to align with user expectations and provide a seamless experience, reflecting our commitment to delivering a polished product.
Next Steps and Thoughts for the Ani Project
Our next steps for Ani include launching the AI image generation feature and providing comprehensive onboarding. We will monitor user engagement and gather feedback to make iterative improvements, ensuring the feature meets community needs. By fostering interaction and highlighting user-generated content, we aim to build a vibrant community. Ongoing performance optimization and scalability will support the feature's growth. We are excited about this new chapter for Ani and look forward to the creative expressions it will inspire.