Hemingway Connect: Elevating the Club Experience with Native iOS Smart Control.
OVERVIEW
The Hemingway Social Club embarked on developing an exclusive iOS app aimed at enhancing the overall club experience by providing digital control over key services such as lighting, music, member profiles, and payments. The project was structured in phases to allow a focused approach, with the initial phase centered on an admin app specifically designed for iPads. This first version enabled management to control the club’s lighting, with future versions planned to introduce member profiles, music control, and payment functionalities. Close collaboration between UX/UI designers and the development team was essential to ensure the app met functional requirements while offering an intuitive and visually appealing user experience.
CHALLENGE
The primary challenge was designing a phased iOS application that would expand in functionality while maintaining a consistent, user-friendly experience. The initial phase focused on an admin-specific iPad app for seamless lighting control, requiring an intuitive interface for non-technical users and robust enough to handle complex scenarios. As the project evolved, new features like member profiles, payments, and music control needed to be integrated without disrupting the cohesive user experience. Additionally, a shift in direction that prioritized an admin-only iPad version added complexity, necessitating quick adaptation and iterative design processes.
SOLUTION
To tackle these challenges, a user-centered design approach was employed, focusing on the needs and expectations of the club’s management and members. The design process began with wireframes and journey maps to visualize the app’s functionality and obtain client approval. These tools provided a solid foundation and detailed roadmap for each version of the app, ensuring alignment with both technical requirements and the club’s brand identity.
MY ROLE
UX/UI Designer
Architecture
Iterative Wireframing
Brand Strategy
Project Management
TOOLS
Figma
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Jira
TIMELINE
3 Months
PROCESS
Discovery
Ideation
Lo-Fidelity Wireframes
Brand Integration
Hi-Fidelity User Flows
Hand-Off
APPROACH
The project was approached using user-centered design principles, emphasizing close collaboration between the UX/UI design team and developers. This collaboration was crucial for understanding technical constraints and possibilities, particularly regarding the app’s API interactions. The phased development allowed focused attention on each feature set, with thorough testing and refinement before progressing to the next phase. By segmenting the app into multiple versions, the team could iteratively improve and maintain a cohesive final product.
FEATURE MAP
JOURNEY MAP
LIGHTING CONTROL DEV MAP
IMPLEMENTATION
As the project advanced, additional features like member profiles and payment options were integrated through close collaboration between the design and development teams. Each app version underwent usability testing to ensure that new features did not compromise the overall user experience. Consistent visual design across all versions helped maintain a unified brand identity, while iterative testing and feedback ensured the app met the club’s high standards for functionality and user satisfaction.
DEV PHASES
WIREFRAMES
The design process commenced with low-fidelity wireframes, which mapped out the app’s structure and user flow. These simple wireframes facilitated quick iterations and easy modifications based on client feedback, ensuring a solid foundation before moving forward.
HIGH FIDELITY UI
After approval of the low-fidelity wireframes, high-fidelity wireframes were developed alongside a small design system to ensure consistency across iOS and iPadOS platforms. The design system included a carefully selected color palette, fonts, and components that reflected the Hemingway Social Club’s exclusive and sophisticated nature. These high-fidelity wireframes served as a precise guide for the development team, ensuring thorough design implementation and early identification of potential issues.
PIVOT!
Midway through the project, a financial decision led to a significant pivot in the app’s direction. The scope was reduced from a suite of individual native apps with extensive networking functionalities, IoT lighting and music control, profile options, a customizable calendar, and a searchable directory, to a simplified lighting control app installed on a club-administered iPad available to all members in-house.
NEXT STEPS
With the successful implementation of the initial lighting control app on the club-administered iPad, the next phase focuses on gradually rolling out the original features across native mobile, tablet, and club-administered iPad platforms. This expansion will enable members to experience the full breadth of the app's capabilities, whether at the club or remotely.
Native Mobile and Tablet Versions
The first step will be to develop native mobile and tablet versions of the app, allowing members to control lighting, music, and access their profiles directly from their personal devices. This requires ensuring a seamless user experience across different screen sizes and maintaining consistency in design and functionality. A key focus will be on optimizing the interface for both mobile and tablet environments, ensuring that members can enjoy the same intuitive controls and cohesive design regardless of the device they use.
Linking Local Accounts to New Locations
To enhance the member experience, the app will introduce the ability to link local accounts to new Hemingway Social Club locations. This feature will automatically sync member profiles, preferences, and past interactions when visiting a different club, creating a personalized experience no matter where they are. This will not only strengthen member engagement but also streamline their interactions with the club's digital services.
Networking and Community
Building As the app expands, a key objective is to foster a sense of community among members across different locations. The app will integrate networking features, enabling members to connect with others at various Hemingway Social Clubs. Members will have the option to link their LinkedIn profiles, facilitating professional networking and enhancing the value of club membership.
System-Wide Social Platform
To further enhance community engagement, the app will introduce a robust system-wide platform where members can post "stories," share updates, and participate in discussions. This platform will be accessible through the app and designed to facilitate interaction among members, promoting both social and professional connections. Whether members are sharing highlights fr
Continuous Iteration and Testing
As these new features are implemented, continuous iteration and testing will be essential to ensure that each addition enhances the user experience without compromising existing functionality. Feedback loops with club management and members will be critical in refining these features and ensuring they align with the club's standards and member expectations.
Unified Brand Experience Across Platforms
Finally, maintaining a unified brand experience across all platforms—whether on a personal mobile device, tablet, or club-administered iPad—will be paramount. The design system created in the earlier phases will guide this expansion, ensuring consistency in visual elements, interactions, and overall user experience.