streamlining the experience on a sportech startup mobile app
redesign for Pick-Roll, a mobile app that helps basketball players find courts, organize games, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
the project focused on making the core functions of game search and creation more effective, enhancing the user experience by optimizing key flows and creating a more intuitive interface.
about the project
company:
Pick-Roll
timing:
2024-2025
role:
UX/UI designer
design team:
myself
UX audit
stakeholder interview
journey mapping
wireframing
visual design
prototyping
this case study represents concept work and is shared with permission from Pick-Roll.
contents
spotting the opportunity
Following my passion for basketball, I discovered a mobile app that helps players organize games on street courts near them and search for matches organized by others.
Despite its promising idea, I found several frictions in the user experience, so I got in touch with the startup founders to help improve the experience.
My redesign project aimed to optimize key processes and design a more intuitive interface, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the service provided.
the app presented several UX challenges, with inconsistent navigation flows and an outdated, cluttered interface that needs modernization
game-changing interventions
I found several critical usability issues, even with a rapid UX audit.
The game creation process, which is the main feature of the app, required users to navigate multiple screens, while discovering nearby active games wasn't immediate from the home screen. Even the check-in feature, essential for tracking court activity and growing the service, was buried deep in the interface.
To better understand these issues, I gathered insights from multiple sources.
I started talking with fellow basketball players, analyzed user feedback from the App Store, and examined publicly available business metrics to identify which improvements could drive growth.
This research helped me write focused user stories and prioritize the most impactful features.
the 3 main focus of the redesign: user stories, service goals, and feedback
game creation flow - solving the problems of the current one
a simpler experience is a better experience
I started by reorganizing the navigation, aiming to prioritize immediate playing opportunities.
Users can find nearby active games on the new home screen "Play" and quickly organize them by hitting a prominent CTA. The simplified flow makes the process more intuitive, and users can start a game immediately or schedule one for later.
The interface refinement also improved accessibility and clarity by resolving color contrast issues.
sketching the new Home > Play
from a busy and inconsistent navigation to a focused, user-centric one
the old home page: it's hard to tell how to start a game
in the new version, a CTA could boost game creation
getting in touch with other players, made easy
The map interface received a significant upgrade, with court information immediately visible on pins and the ability to check in or create games directly from the court view.
Game cards were redesigned to show critical information at a glance: a "LIVE" indicator for ongoing games, participant avatars, court type, and distance from the user.
the old map
the new flow for joining a game
a fresh look and feel
To enhance the social aspect, I integrated a chat feature directly into game organization, eliminating the need to switch between apps for coordination.
The profile section was reimagined taking inspiration from basketball video games, with stats displayed in a familiar gaming style that resonates with users' experiences.
style references
old logo
new logo exploration
takeaways
This concept work allowed me to focus on the problems of an already popular app, prioritize the issues and find the easiest way to solve them. Most importantly, it allowed me to approach a startup in the funding stage and stay in touch with its founders.
Although the project was only based on public information, the founders of Pick-Roll recognized that I could identify the service's objectives and improve its effectiveness.
This work was also an opportunity to test a presentation mode based on the prototype animations, which greatly increased the effectiveness and clarity of the proposal.