About The App

AIG is a startup based in Toronto, Canada, aiming to develop a cutting-edge Image Generator AI application. The application's primary purpose is to assist content creators, marketers, and designers in generating unique and customized images using AI algorithms. I was tasked with creating a user-centered design for this innovative app.

The Goals

  1. User-Centered Design: Create a user-friendly interface that enables users, even those without extensive design skills, to easily create and customize images with the AI tool.

  2. AI Integration: Seamlessly integrate AI algorithms to generate images based on user inputs and preferences.

  3. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensure the app is accessible on various devices and platforms.

  4. Efficient Workflow: Design an efficient and intuitive workflow for image creation, customization, and exporting.

  5. Feedback Loop: Implement user feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement.

UX Process

User Research / User Personas

I started the process by researching similar apps, seeking out and understanding competitor’s features. From the list, I found countless apps that featured many of the same features. They all had features for customized workouts, gamification of workouts and geo tagging location.

Through analyzing the results of my research, most apps can help users to control their workouts, and build new workouts but I could not find an app that is really focused on finding certified personal trainers. This was crucial for defining the MVP to reach the market.

  • A social media manager who needs unique and engaging images for her clients.

  • A professional designer looking for quick ideas and prototypes.

  • A marketing executive who needs branded visuals for campaigns.

  • A blogger with minimal design skills who wants to enhance his blog posts

Competitive Analysis

We examined similar AI-powered image generating tools to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for differentiation.

  • Midjourney: The most used and popular tool with best results for all types of creative images.

  • Deep Dream Generator: Known for crediting dream like, surreal images

  • PaintsChainer: Focuses on automatically coloring line art.

  • Artbreeder: Allows users to blend and customize images using AI.

  • GANPaint Studio: Specializes in editing and manipulating images using AI techniques.

  • Designify: A tool for generating designs, illustrations, and logos.

User Interviews

In order to understand the user’s journey, I started to interview potential customers addressing problematic points and all the details about how users would be using the app. The Preliminary interviews helped with understanding how users use current AI apps and what would be needed from our application. I was able to interview 30 Potential customers. Finding included

  • Generation of images speed was Important

  • Images that needed little to no editing

  • Images directly related to keywords in the prompt

  • Accuracy of images without AI glitches

  • Ability to download/export/share quickly

Wireframe / Prototyping

While in the early stages of wireframing, I added the needed features to come up with a few layouts that might work for the users. I also tested these layouts with Interviews for feedback to get some valdidation the experince was heading in the right direction. I kept the mobile designs in the prototype but as development progressed, PO decided from MVP we would support desktop version and rellease mobile support on Version 2 of the app.

Testing

I Used Maze to run usability tests for users to complete tasks and reiterate on the user journey and UI elements. The tasks include:

  • Creating a new image generation

  • Creating variants of a published design

  • Downloading the image generation

  • loading more AI generated prompts

Visual Design

The design was largely based on users using existing applications in mind while making sure usability and intuitiveness is there for all users. The design aims to give the user a sense of speed to be able to generate images and well as a simple experience

The user interface had to be very easy to navigate through as well as looking sleek to stand out from competitors. The app keeps things minimalist in nature to make the app more enjoyable and to focus on the MVP product so that the main points from our user research was addressed.

Conclusion

Designing AIG’s Image Generator App has been an exciting journey. The user-centered approach and iterative design process have led to a user-friendly, efficient, and visually appealing application. As we move into development and post-launch phases, we remain committed to gathering user feedback and ensuring continuous improvement to meet the evolving needs of our diverse user base. While the desktop version is set to be released for MVP, this project is moving forward to responsive design support for tablets and phones. Additionally there is long list of features to add along with improving the AI image generation to be a strong competitor with existing AI image generation tools. This project demonstrates the power of AI in augmenting human creativity while keeping the user experience at the forefront.

Note: AIG is in Round A series of investing