Unplugged: App UX Audit & Polish

🎨 Design Challenge

Partner with a classmate to conduct a thorough UX audit of their mobile app project. No coding - just careful observation and thoughtful feedback!

✏️ Materials

• Paper and pencil for notes
• Your classmate's app (on device or demo)
• UX evaluation checklist
• Fresh eyes and honest feedback

👥 Partner Setup (5 min)

Find Your Audit Partner

• Partner with someone who worked on a different type of app
• Exchange apps/demos
• Agree to give constructive, honest feedback
• Set up devices/demos for testing

Audit Ground Rules

• Be honest but kind - Point out issues constructively
• Focus on user experience - Not personal coding style
• Think like a new user - Ignore what you know about the app
• Take detailed notes - Specific examples are most helpful

🔍 UX Audit Process (15 min)

Phase One: First Impressions (3 min)

Without any explanation from your partner:

1. Open the app and spend 30 seconds exploring
2. Try to figure out what the app does
3. Find the main features without guidance

Note:

• What confused you?
• What felt intuitive?
• How long did it take to understand the purpose?

Phase 2: User Flow Testing (7 min)

Test 2-3 key user scenarios:

Scenario A: New User Journey

• How would a brand new user get started?
• Are onboarding steps clear?
• Can you complete a basic task easily?

Scenario B: Power User Tasks

• Try advanced features
• Look for shortcuts or efficiency features
• Test edge cases and complex interactions

Scenario C: Error Recovery

• Try to break something (gently!)
• Enter invalid data
• See how the app handles problems

Phase 3: Visual & Interaction Audit (5 min)

Evaluate the UI/UX:

Visual Design:

• Is text readable on all screens?
• Are touch targets big enough?
• Do colors have good contrast?
• Is the visual hierarchy clear?

Interaction Design:

• Are buttons where you expect them?
• Do animations help or distract?
• How's the loading/waiting experience?
• Are gestures intuitive?

📝 Audit Report Template

Overall Experience (Rate 1-5)

• Usability: How easy is it to use?
• Clarity: How obvious is what to do?
• Performance: How smooth does it feel?
• Visual Appeal: How polished does it look?
• Unique Value: What makes this app special?

Strengths (2-3 things that work really well)

• "The navigation between screens is super smooth"
• "I love how the loading animation gives clear progress"
• "The color scheme makes important buttons really obvious"

Priority Issues (2-3 most critical problems)

• "I couldn't figure out how to save my work"
• "The text on the settings screen is too small to read"
• "The app crashed when I tried to upload a photo"

Polish Suggestions (3-4 improvements)

• "Add confirmation before deleting items"
• "Show keyboard shortcuts or tips for new users"
• "The search could highlight matching text"
• "Consider adding dark mode option"

One Sentence Summary

"This app is [strength] but needs [main improvement] to feel complete."

🗣️ Feedback Session (5 min)

Present Your Findings

Share your audit report:

• Start with 1 thing you really liked
• Present the most critical issue to fix
• Suggest 1-2 specific improvements
• End with encouragement about the app's potential

Receive Your Feedback

When getting your audit:

• Listen without defending your choices
• Ask clarifying questions about specific issues
• Take notes on suggestions you want to try
• Thank your partner for their honest perspective

Discussion Questions

• What surprised you about how others use your app?
• Which feedback point would you prioritize first?
• What patterns do you see across different apps?

🎯 Polish Action Plan

Based on your feedback, identify:

1. Quick Win - One small fix you could implement today
2. Big Impact - One major improvement worth significant effort
3. Future Feature - One idea to save for version 2

💡 Key Learning

The best UX improvements come from watching real people use your app. Fresh eyes always catch things you've become blind to as the developer!

📤 Submit Your Work

Complete this activity and submit your work through the Activity Submission Form