Gamers don’t need a fitness trainer. They need a reason.
Quest Up / 6 Months / 2023 / UX & UI Designer
PROBLEM SPACE
Gamers often struggle with maintaining an active lifestyle due to their sedentary habits. Traditional fitness apps fail to engage this demographic effectively.
SOLUTION
Quest Up is a gamified fitness app designed to combat gamers' sedentary lifestyles by making exercise as exciting as gaming.
Project Timeline & Approach
Originally created as my bootcamp capstone project, Quest Up followed an iterative design process, progressing through research to prototyping & evaluation within three months. Post-bootcamp, I refined it further for a startup pitch, incorporating additional prototyping and branding revisions, aligning with Human-Centered Design and the Double Diamond framework.
THE PROBLEM
Gamers struggle to stay active
A clash between gaming and health.
Gamers often face difficulties maintaining an active lifestyle due to their sedentary habits. Traditional fitness apps fail to engage this demographic effectively.
Research reveals that prolonged sitting during gaming can increase health risks like cardiovascular disease, obesity, and joint issues. The sedentary nature of gaming sessions, coupled with extended screen time, often leads to eye strain, back pain, and stiffness. Over time, these habits can also contribute to metabolic disorders and higher risks of conditions such as diabetes.
MONTH 1
Research
Primary & Secondary Research
MONTH 2
MONTH 3
MONTH 4
Ideation
Sketches, Wireframes
Visuals & Branding
Sketches, Wireframes
MONTH 5
MONTH 6
Prototype & Evaluation
Formative User Evaluations
Research Objective
To identify the health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle due to prolonged gaming sessions and uncover the key barriers preventing gamers from adopting traditional fitness solutions.
KEY INSIGHTS
Lack of motivation to exercise
A clash between gaming and health.
By engaging with gamers on platforms like Discord, at gaming conventions, and in gaming cafes, I uncovered a series of patterns that shaped my approach. Three critical insights stood out:
PROBLEM
Gamers often spend long hours sitting while gaming
PAINPOINT
Exercise Feels Like A Chore
OPPORTUNITY
Gamers Are Interested In Gamified Fitness
Meet Adam
Based on the research insights, I developed a primary persona that encapsulates the average gamer struggling to balance gaming and physical activity.
This user profile became my reference point for all of my design decisions moving forward, ensuring that every feature and interaction aligned with the user's needs and motivations.
“It's hard to find the right balance between what I enjoy and what I need.”
ABOUT
Adam, a 21-year-old Computer Science student, loves gaming but faces health and academic challenges. Now, he's motivated to adopt healthier habits while balancing gaming.
BEHAVIOURS
Frequently engages in gaming sessions that last 6-8 hours, particularly during weekends.
Neglects physical activity, opting to game instead of exercising or participating in outdoor activities.
FRUSTRATIONS
Establish a healthier routine that includes regular physical activity and balanced nutrition while still enjoying gaming.
Reduce gaming hours and incorporate physical activity to improve fitness and overall well-being.
ACTIONS
Struggles to balance gaming with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, leading to weight gain and fatigue.
Experiences back pain and eye strain due to prolonged gaming sessions.
KEYWORDS
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE
PHYSICAL INACTIVITY
LIFESTYLE IMBALANCE
SUSTAINABLE FITNESS HABITS
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE INTEGRATION
STAGE 1
GAMING ROUTINE
Adam spends several hours each day gaming, often late into the night. He enjoys gaming and finds it relaxing, though he’s aware it’s affecting his health. While content, he feels a sense of guilt about his physical inactivity. This stage is marked by a lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and frequent fatigue.
STAGE 2
REALISATION
Adam notices weight gain and a decline in energy levels. He realizes he needs to make a change for his health but doesn’t know where to start. Frustration and concern begin to build about the long-term impact of his lifestyle. He struggles to balance gaming with attempts at healthier living.
STAGE 3
SEEKING SOLUTIONS
Adam begins exploring ways to incorporate exercise into his routine. He wonders if there’s a way to make physical activity feel as engaging as gaming. Although hopeful, he remains skeptical about finding a solution that sticks. He finds it hard to stay motivated and carve out time to exercise.
STAGE 4
TAKING ACTION
Adam tries out gamified fitness apps and starts building short workouts into his day. He sees this as a fun way to stay active without giving up gaming. Encouraged by small wins, he becomes more aware of the effort it takes to maintain progress. His focus shifts toward staying consistent and avoiding a return to old habits.
HOW MIGHT WE…
How Might We motivate gamers to engage in physical activities to improve their long-term health?
IDEATION
Keeping fitness within reach via mobile apps
Lowering the fitness barrier was key
My persona emphasised the importance of making workouts effortless and accessible to avoid overwhelming users. A mobile app emerged as the perfect solution—familiar and intuitive for gamers, keeping fitness within reach.
Translating the sketches into wireframes
I translated the latest iteration of my sketches into mid-fidelity wireframes, prioritising:
Layout clarity: Ensuring an intuitive and gamer-friendly structure.
Interaction concepts: Focusing on smooth and engaging user flows.
This stage allowed me to solidify the app’s core functionality and gather valuable feedback through early usability testing—setting the stage for visual and interactive refinements.
Username
Quest Type
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Complete Quest
Coins
Friends
Quest Title Here
Quest Description would bewritten here
Image of avatar
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Tops
Bottoms
Close
Wardrobe
Share
Chat
Friends
Accesories
Background
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Image of avatar
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Daily Quest
Image of guild hall
Boss Quest
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Image of shopkeeper
shopkeeper dialogue about shop
Today’s Offers
Timer
Power Ups
Cosmetics
Item Name
Item Description
Item Image
Price
Item Name
Item Description
Item Image
Price
Item Name
Item Description
Item Image
Price
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Leaderboard
Local
Friends
Global
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
Quest Count
PFP
PFP
PFP
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
Quest Count
Username
Quest Count
USABILITY TESTING
I conducted two key usability tests
Think-Aloud &
First-Click Test
For the usability tests, I allowed users to test the prototype while capturing their live thoughts as they navigated the app, providing insights into their decision-making process.
I also observed their initial interactions and click patterns to identify issues with the information hierarchy and pinpoint moments of confusion or obstacles encountered without intervention.
Image of avatar
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Quest Description
Progress Count
Username
Username
Balance
Statistic Report
Quests
Awards
Show More
Show More
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
Quest Description
Progress Count
Medal Name
Achievement Description
Medal Name
Achievement Description
Medal Name
Achievement Description
Quest Description
Progress Count
Share
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Tops
Bottoms
Close
Wardrobe
Share
Chat
Friends
Accesories
Background
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Image of avatar
Back
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Daily Quest
Image of guild hall
Boss Quest
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Energy Balance
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Image of shopkeeper
shopkeeper dialogue about shop
Today’s Offers
Timer
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Membership
Battle Pass
Gold Balance
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Leaderboard
Local
Friends
Global
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
Quest Count
PFP
PFP
PFP
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
Quest Count
Username
Quest Count
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
The usability issues were pointed down and the necesssary changes were made
INCONSISTENT SCROLLING
Users were confused by varying scrolling behaviors
OVEREXERCISING RISK
No mechanism existed to encourage breaks during sessions
UNFAIR LEADERBOARD
Lack of equal opportunities to climb ranks
UNABLE TO TRACK PROGRESS
Users couldn’t monitor their fitness stats
UI INCONSISTENCIES
Design elements lacked cohesion
STANDARDISED SCROLLING
Standardised scrolling behavior for consistent navigation
ENERGY BALANCE
Introduced an energy balance feature to encourage breaks
LEADERBOARD TIMER
Added a leaderboard timer for fair competition
NEW REPORT SCREEN
Implemented a statistics report screen for tracking fitness progress
REFINED UI
Refined the UI for a cohesive and polished look
BRANDING & HI-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
I created high-fidelity wireframes
Branding: Neon Meets Fitness Gaming
The branding for Quest Up is deeply rooted in the cyberpunk aesthetic, merging the futuristic allure of neon lights with cutting-edge technology. This approach highlights how gamers are leveraging tech to redefine fitness while staying connected to their gaming culture.
Futuristic Atmosphere: Neon visuals reflect innovation and align with the gaming community’s love for RGB lighting systems.
Immersive Experience: The design resonates with gamers, creating a relatable and visually captivating environment
Turn your fitness progress into a real-life adventure!
Your personal trainer levels up as you complete workouts, earning rewards like in-game currency and XP.
Customise your trainer and track your journey in a way that makes every workout feel like an epic win. Fitness meets fun—take control and start your quest today!
Choose your adventure and crush your fitness goals!
The Guild Hub lets you tackle exciting daily and boss challenges, each designed to boost your strength, speed, and agility.
With stunning cyberpunk visuals and action-packed stories, every workout becomes a mission you can’t wait to complete. Are you ready to level up?
Compete, climb, and conquer! See how you stack up against friends and players worldwide.
Whether it’s earning bragging rights or extra motivation to hit your goals, this feature brings out your competitive edge and makes every step count. Will you claim the top spot?
Upgrade your adventure!
The Shop is your go-to for unlocking new gear, skins, and power-ups with your hard-earned rewards.
Customise your trainer, boost your progress, and stand out in the game. Fitness meets fun and it’s all yours to explore!
Track your progress like a pro! Receive an in-depth view of your achievements, workouts, and milestones.
From calories burned to quests completed, you’ll see your fitness journey visualized like never before. Stay informed, stay motivated, and keep leveling up!
Gear up and get ready! Personalise your trainer with epic gear and showcase your achievements. It’s your space to prep for the next quest and look awesome while crushing your fitness goals!
SUCCESS METRICS & KEY LEARNINGS
From Concept to Reality: Turning Quest Up Into a Winning Idea.
Success Metrics
Quest Up reached a major milestone by winning the City Ventures Grand Spark Start-Up Competition, earning £3,000, a spot in the 10-week accelerator program, and guidance to transform it into a real startup.
The next step is crowdfunding, with a £5,000 goal to validate market demand. Achieving this will confirm the app’s viability and pave the way for its launch, positioning Quest Up to revolutionize fitness in the gaming community.
Key Learnings
Consistency is key: Developing a comprehensive design system streamlined the design process and ensured consistency across UI components.
User feedback is invaluable: User testing and feedback were crucial in identifying and resolving usability issues, leading to a more intuitive design.
Balancing creativity and functionality: Gamifying fitness is a creative challenge that must balance engaging elements with practical features that genuinely support health goals.
Gamers don’t need a fitness trainer. They need a reason.
Quest Up / 6 Months / 2023 / UX & UI Designer
PROBLEM SPACE
Gamers often struggle with maintaining an active lifestyle due to their sedentary habits. Traditional fitness apps fail to engage this demographic effectively.
SOLUTION
Quest Up is a gamified fitness app designed to combat gamers' sedentary lifestyles by making exercise as exciting as gaming.
Project Timeline & Approach
Originally created as my bootcamp capstone project, Quest Up followed an iterative design process, progressing through research to prototyping & evaluation within three months. Post-bootcamp, I refined it further for a startup pitch, incorporating additional prototyping and branding revisions, aligning with Human-Centered Design and the Double Diamond framework.
THE PROBLEM
Gamers struggle to stay active
A clash between gaming and health.
Gamers often face difficulties maintaining an active lifestyle due to their sedentary habits. Traditional fitness apps fail to engage this demographic effectively.
Research reveals that prolonged sitting during gaming can increase health risks like cardiovascular disease, obesity, and joint issues. The sedentary nature of gaming sessions, coupled with extended screen time, often leads to eye strain, back pain, and stiffness. Over time, these habits can also contribute to metabolic disorders and higher risks of conditions such as diabetes.
MONTH 1
Research
Primary & Secondary Research
MONTH 2
MONTH 3
MONTH 4
Ideation
Sketches, Wireframes
Visuals & Branding
Sketches, Wireframes
MONTH 5
MONTH 6
Prototype & Evaluation
Formative User Evaluations
KEY INSIGHTS FROM RESEARCH
Lack of motivation to exercise
A clash between gaming and health.
By engaging with gamers on platforms like Discord, at gaming conventions, and in gaming cafes, I uncovered a series of patterns that shaped my approach. Three critical insights stood out:
PROBLEM
Gamers often spend long hours sitting while gaming
PAINPOINT
Exercise Feels Like A Chore
OPPORTUNITY
Gamers Are Interested In Gamified Fitness
Meet Adam
Based on the research insights, I developed a primary persona that encapsulates the average gamer struggling to balance gaming and physical activity.
This user profile became my reference point for all of my design decisions moving forward, ensuring that every feature and interaction aligned with the user's needs and motivations.
“It's hard to find the right balance between what I enjoy and what I need.”
ABOUT
Adam, a 21-year-old Computer Science student, loves gaming but faces health and academic challenges. Now, he's motivated to adopt healthier habits while balancing gaming.
BEHAVIOURS
Frequently engages in gaming sessions that last 6-8 hours, particularly during weekends.
Neglects physical activity, opting to game instead of exercising or participating in outdoor activities.
FRUSTRATIONS
Establish a healthier routine that includes regular physical activity and balanced nutrition while still enjoying gaming.
Reduce gaming hours and incorporate physical activity to improve fitness and overall well-being.
ACTIONS
Struggles to balance gaming with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, leading to weight gain and fatigue.
Experiences back pain and eye strain due to prolonged gaming sessions.
KEYWORDS
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE
PHYSICAL INACTIVITY
LIFESTYLE IMBALANCE
SUSTAINABLE FITNESS HABITS
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE INTEGRATION
“It's hard to find the right balance between what I enjoy and what I need.”
ABOUT
Adam, a 21-year-old Computer Science student, loves gaming but faces health and academic challenges. Now, he's motivated to adopt healthier habits while balancing gaming.
BEHAVIOURS
Frequently engages in gaming sessions that last 6-8 hours, particularly during weekends.
Neglects physical activity, opting to game instead of exercising or participating in outdoor activities.
FRUSTRATIONS
Establish a healthier routine that includes regular physical activity and balanced nutrition while still enjoying gaming.
Reduce gaming hours and incorporate physical activity to improve fitness and overall well-being.
ACTIONS
Struggles to balance gaming with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, leading to weight gain and fatigue.
Experiences back pain and eye strain due to prolonged gaming sessions.
KEYWORDS
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE
PHYSICAL INACTIVITY
LIFESTYLE IMBALANCE
SUSTAINABLE FITNESS HABITS
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE INTEGRATION
STAGE 1
GAMING ROUTINE
Adam spends several hours each day gaming, often late into the night. He enjoys gaming and finds it relaxing, though he’s aware it’s affecting his health. While content, he feels a sense of guilt about his physical inactivity. This stage is marked by a lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and frequent fatigue.
STAGE 2
REALISATION
Adam notices weight gain and a decline in energy levels. He realizes he needs to make a change for his health but doesn’t know where to start. Frustration and concern begin to build about the long-term impact of his lifestyle. He struggles to balance gaming with attempts at healthier living.
STAGE 3
SEEKING SOLUTIONS
Adam begins exploring ways to incorporate exercise into his routine. He wonders if there’s a way to make physical activity feel as engaging as gaming. Although hopeful, he remains skeptical about finding a solution that sticks. He finds it hard to stay motivated and carve out time to exercise.
STAGE 4
TAKING ACTION
Adam tries out gamified fitness apps and starts building short workouts into his day. He sees this as a fun way to stay active without giving up gaming. Encouraged by small wins, he becomes more aware of the effort it takes to maintain progress. His focus shifts toward staying consistent and avoiding a return to old habits.
HOW MIGHT WE…
How Might We motivate gamers to engage in physical activities to improve their long-term health?
IDEATION
Keeping fitness within reach via mobile apps
Lowering the fitness barrier was key
My persona emphasised the importance of making workouts effortless and accessible to avoid overwhelming users. A mobile app emerged as the perfect solution—familiar and intuitive for gamers, keeping fitness within reach.
Translating the sketches into wireframes
I translated the latest iteration of my sketches into mid-fidelity wireframes, prioritising:
Layout clarity: Ensuring an intuitive and gamer-friendly structure.
Interaction concepts: Focusing on smooth and engaging user flows.
This stage allowed me to solidify the app’s core functionality and gather valuable feedback through early usability testing—setting the stage for visual and interactive refinements.
Username
Quest Type
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Complete Quest
Coins
Friends
Quest Title Here
Quest Description would bewritten here
Image of avatar
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Tops
Bottoms
Close
Wardrobe
Share
Chat
Friends
Accesories
Background
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Image of avatar
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Daily Quest
Image of guild hall
Boss Quest
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Image of shopkeeper
shopkeeper dialogue about shop
Today’s Offers
Timer
Power Ups
Cosmetics
Item Name
Item Description
Item Image
Price
Item Name
Item Description
Item Image
Price
Item Name
Item Description
Item Image
Price
Home
Guild Hall
Shop
Leaderboard
Leaderboard
Local
Friends
Global
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
Quest Count
PFP
PFP
PFP
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
Quest Count
Username
Quest Count
USABILITY TESTING
I conducted two key usability tests
Think-Aloud &
First-Click Test
For the usability tests, I allowed users to test the prototype while capturing their live thoughts as they navigated the app, providing insights into their decision-making process.
I also observed their initial interactions and click patterns to identify issues with the information hierarchy and pinpoint moments of confusion or obstacles encountered without intervention.
Image of avatar
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Quest Description
Progress Count
Username
Username
Balance
Statistic Report
Quests
Awards
Show More
Show More
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
Quest Description
Progress Count
Medal Name
Achievement Description
Medal Name
Achievement Description
Medal Name
Achievement Description
Quest Description
Progress Count
Share
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Tops
Bottoms
Close
Wardrobe
Share
Chat
Friends
Accesories
Background
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Locked Item
Image of avatar
Back
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Daily Quest
Image of guild hall
Boss Quest
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Quest Type
Energy Balance
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Image of shopkeeper
shopkeeper dialogue about shop
Today’s Offers
Timer
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
Membership
Battle Pass
Gold Balance
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Price
Item Image
Item Name
Item Description
Leaderboard
Local
Friends
Global
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
Quest Count
PFP
PFP
PFP
Username
PFP
Quest Count
Position Number
Username
Quest Count
Username
Quest Count
Stats
Shop
Guild Hall
Leaderboard
Home
The usability issues were pointed down and the necesssary changes were made
INCONSISTENT SCROLLING
Users were confused by varying scrolling behaviors
OVEREXERCISING RISK
No mechanism existed to encourage breaks during sessions
UNFAIR LEADERBOARD
Lack of equal opportunities to climb ranks
UNABLE TO TRACK PROGRESS
Users couldn’t monitor their fitness stats
UI INCONSISTENCIES
Design elements lacked cohesion
STANDARDISED SCROLLING
Standardised scrolling behavior for consistent navigation
ENERGY BALANCE
Introduced an energy balance feature to encourage breaks
LEADERBOARD TIMER
Added a leaderboard timer for fair competition
NEW REPORT SCREEN
Implemented a statistics report screen for tracking fitness progress
REFINED UI
Refined the UI for a cohesive and polished look
BRANDING & HI-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
I created high-fidelity wireframes
Branding: Neon Meets Fitness Gaming
The branding for Quest Up is deeply rooted in the cyberpunk aesthetic, merging the futuristic allure of neon lights with cutting-edge technology. This approach highlights how gamers are leveraging tech to redefine fitness while staying connected to their gaming culture.
Futuristic Atmosphere: Neon visuals reflect innovation and align with the gaming community’s love for RGB lighting systems.
Immersive Experience: The design resonates with gamers, creating a relatable and visually captivating environment
Turn your fitness progress into a real-life adventure!
Your personal trainer levels up as you complete workouts, earning rewards like in-game currency and XP.
Customise your trainer and track your journey in a way that makes every workout feel like an epic win. Fitness meets fun—take control and start your quest today!
Choose your adventure and crush your fitness goals!
The Guild Hub lets you tackle exciting daily and boss challenges, each designed to boost your strength, speed, and agility.
With stunning cyberpunk visuals and action-packed stories, every workout becomes a mission you can’t wait to complete. Are you ready to level up?
Compete, climb, and conquer! See how you stack up against friends and players worldwide.
Whether it’s earning bragging rights or extra motivation to hit your goals, this feature brings out your competitive edge and makes every step count. Will you claim the top spot?
Upgrade your adventure!
The Shop is your go-to for unlocking new gear, skins, and power-ups with your hard-earned rewards.
Customise your trainer, boost your progress, and stand out in the game. Fitness meets fun and it’s all yours to explore!
Track your progress like a pro! Receive an in-depth view of your achievements, workouts, and milestones.
From calories burned to quests completed, you’ll see your fitness journey visualized like never before. Stay informed, stay motivated, and keep leveling up!
Gear up and get ready! Personalise your trainer with epic gear and showcase your achievements. It’s your space to prep for the next quest and look awesome while crushing your fitness goals!
SUCCESS METRICS & KEY LEARNINGS
From Concept to Reality: Turning Quest Up Into a Winning Idea.
Success Metrics
Quest Up reached a major milestone by winning the City Ventures Grand Spark Start-Up Competition, earning £3,000, a spot in the 10-week accelerator program, and guidance to transform it into a real startup.
The next step is crowdfunding, with a £5,000 goal to validate market demand. Achieving this will confirm the app’s viability and pave the way for its launch, positioning Quest Up to revolutionize fitness in the gaming community.
Key Learnings
Consistency is key: Developing a comprehensive design system streamlined the design process and ensured consistency across UI components.
User feedback is invaluable: User testing and feedback were crucial in identifying and resolving usability issues, leading to a more intuitive design.
Balancing creativity and functionality: Gamifying fitness is a creative challenge that must balance engaging elements with practical features that genuinely support health goals.