Idea Overview
I have decided to create an app that suggests films based on a users preferences and mood. Users will be able to select options from a filter such as genre, mood and cast and then be presented with a selection of films that fill this criteria in a card format. Users can then swipe left and right for 'no' or to compile a 'maybe' list. They can then view this list and narrow it further, save favourites and pick one to watch.
Synthesis
I feel that this supports a lot of the points mentioned in my essay about what makes an effective app, such as:
Card Swiping Interface
I can apply this to my app, as it is good for helping users to create quick decisions based on a short term goal and happiness. In the sources that I looked at discussing this interface, they all suggested that this can be applied to a variety of tasks such as eating at a restaurant or looking for a movie. After researching what people would like in an app, what I would find beneficial and what already exists, I feel this is an ideal app to create.
Swiping Gestures
This is a popular gesture that users like in an app. Although this would already be implemented with the card interface, it can also be incorporated in other places. For example, when the user is viewing the 'maybe' list, they could swipe on films to delete them from the list to narrow it down further or to select that's the one they're going to watch.
Personalised
By having the filter, users can view a range of films that suit their mood there and then. More ways to create tailored results could be from the small data that is collected from the users choices and if they sign in with Facebook it could see their interests. For example, if they posted a status about Disney, it would show Disney films they may be interested in.
Offer Something Different
Users cannot filter films like this on paper, because they won't have the database of films that the app would have and it would be a very time consuming process. They might not know the film they are looking for even exists yet. It is also better than using a computer because their phone will be closer to them and quicker to access, as well as having the card swiping interface. This is successful because the user can quickly use their thumbs to navigate the app, whereas this wouldn't be possible with a computer.
Efficiency
The app would be very efficient due to the ability for a user to just use their thumbs to navigate through the interface and app. This saves time for the user and is more ideal if they are on the move - for example wanting to choose a movie on a bus before they get home.
Track Usage
Although when discussing this within my essay it has usually been in the format of charts (my fitness pal, sleep better), this app can still track usage by showing a user their watch history, films they said 'maybe' to, and even data such as % of romance films chosen to watch etc.
iOS
It will be designed for Apple, since this is one of the two leading app providers. I decided to focus on Apple over Android because as discussed in my essay, it is easier to develop for due to them only having 6-8 devices, whereas Android has over 12,000. This causes fragmentation, so by releasing for Apple first, then Android later, there is more time to test the app.
Filter
The filter would be a big part of making the app personalised to the user. Users will use this to refine their film search.
Users could filter by:
Date - i.e. only search for films released after 2002
Rating - i.e. only search for films above a rating of 60%
Mood - i.e. search for 'feel good films' or a 'tearjerker'
Genre - i.e. search for romance with/or comedy
Duration - i.e. don't show films which are longer than 3 hours
Cast - i.e. only show films which have Ryan Gosling in
Different moods - I'm in the mood for..
Being scared
Feeling good
A tearjerker
Singing and dancing
Animation
Being inspired
A history lesson
A true story
Option:
Once a user has chosen a film they want to watch, they can swipe/select this to let the app know they've watched it. They then have the option to show/hide films they have already watched in the results.
Screens
Log in/sign up
Filter/Preferences
Results
Maybe list
Favourites
Navigation
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