PetFitness
Focus
Physical & Mental Wellness
User Research
Market Research
Tools
AdobeXD, Photoshop, AfterEffects, Interviews, Surveys, A/B testings, Qualtrics
Year
2022
“An estimated 40 to 45% of college students engage in fitness activities regularly (≥3 days/week)” (NYU Report).
61% of respondents complain that they don’t have time and motivation to exercise regularly (Survey Result).
COVID has brought a significant transformation to modern society. The prolonged period of remote work and learning created an environment where students couldn’t get enough exercise, sleep, and social time. More and more students started to have mental and physical health concerns. "77% [of students] reported that they had struggled with mental health and wellbeing as a result of Covid-19” (United Students).
How might we make exercise more fun for college students, so they could improve and maintain their mental wellness?
User & Market Research
Research Insights
From interviews, survey samples, market gap analysis
Pleasure of Movement
“I like how I feel after workout, I feel more alive and more energetic. We are all natural movers at once!“
-- College Student
Fragmented Exercise
“I make my fitness progress during my break time... Little amounts of exercise could help you a lot”
-- Wellness Researcher
Redefine Exercise
“The media is telling people the wrong thing, you don’t have to go to the gym to be physically active. In fact, the most beneficial workout is walking.”
-- Professor in Psychology of Exercise and Sport
Accessibility
“Please consider elders and people with disability when designing an app... Be aware of the mobile health accessibility gaps.”
-- Professor in Kinesiology and Community Health
Shifting Motivation
“Extrinsic motivation tends to result dissatisfaction, if we could find a way to transit it into intrinsic motivation, that would be more satisfactory for people.”
-- Professor in Psychology of Exercise and Sport
Serious Game Design
“The game can focus more on pet interaction, it is very interesting way to get players to move and help people to build a routine”
-- Postdoc in Game Design
Personas
Game Engagement
Treasure Hunting
Every time the player takes their pet out for a walk or exercise, the pet will surprise them with a gift! Whenever the player reaches their step milestone, the pet will collect coins or gifts. To receive ultimate rewards, you must walk 5% more every day.
01
Pet Bondings
A strong bond can be formed between the player and their pet through interaction. With their pet, players can keep a mood diary, dress them up, and train them!
03
Pet Community
In addition to interacting with their pets, players also interact with others through their pets. A pet community will be formed to allow players to socialize with one another.
02
Pet Customization
Players can either design their own pet or adopt one randomly once they enter the game! Additionally, the system will generate a unique theme color for each pet.
04
Seasonal Updates
This game also features seasonal updates during holidays to keep players engaged. A special background, color palette, and event item can be unlocked during the seasonal events.
