Melon App: A Journey in Family-Focused Design
At OriginX LLC, a startup focused on trend-driven mobile apps, I took on multiple design roles for Melon—a family location-tracking app. This case study demonstrates how we navigated limited resources, shifting market dynamics, and the critical process of validating product-market fit. While the project didn’t achieve long-term success, it provided valuable insights into user needs, market timing, and the importance of sustainable feature development.
Initial Challenge
As both a product designer and concerned parent, I focused on creating a solution that aligned with users' mental models, ensuring ease of use and high levels of user satisfaction while working within significant resource constraints.
The Process
1. Discovery & Research
User Research
- Conducted in-depth interviews with 15 families
- Created user journey maps
- Analyzed competitors (Life360, Find My Friends, GeoZilla)
- Identified feature gaps and user pain points
Key Insights
Safety vs. Privacy Balance
- Parents wanted safety confirmation without intrusion
- Teenagers needed autonomy and privacy control
- Families desired customizable sharing settings
Communication Patterns
- Frequent check-in texts and calls were common
- Quick visual safety confirmation was a priority
- Different needs based on child age groups
Pain Points
- Existing solutions were too complex
- Battery drain was a major concern
- Managing multiple family members was difficult
- Emergency features were hard to access
Visual Design System
Brand Identity
- Created a welcoming color palette with purple as the primary color
- Developed a custom illustration system
- Designed a consistent icon set for critical features
User Interface
- Focused on clear status indicators
- Implemented simple, one-tap actions
- Created intuitive privacy controls
- Designed a battery-conscious interface
Key Features
Real-Time Location
- Simple map interface
- Battery-saving options
- Clear status indicators
Safety Alerts
- One-tap emergency button
- Customizable geofencing
- Battery level notifications
Privacy Controls
- Granular sharing settings
- Time-based location sharing
- Family circles management
Brand Identity
Design moodboard showcasing custom illustrations, playful color palette, and minimalist UI elements for a friendly location-sharing app, featuring self-created avatar styles.
Brainstorm Key Screens
Wireframe showcasing MVP flows: from user verification to real-time family location tracking and circle management.
3. Iteration & Testing
Round 1: Basic Usability
Feedback:
- Confusion about sharing status
- Emergency features hard to find
- Privacy settings unclear
Solutions:
- Added prominent status indicators
- Redesigned emergency access
- Simplified privacy controls
Round 2: Feature Refinement
Feedback:
- Battery life concerns
- Need for temporary sharing
- Alert customization requested
Solutions:
- Implemented battery-saver mode
- Added time-based sharing
- Created custom alert preferences
Round 3: Final Polish
Feedback:
- More family customization needed
- Quick actions requested
- Desire for engaging elements
Solutions:
- Added family profiles
- Implemented quick actions
- Integrated playful animations
Technical Challenges
Battery Optimization
- Balanced tracking accuracy with battery life
- Implemented smart polling intervals
- Created user-controlled tracking modes
Feature Complexity
- Started with core features
- Added complexity gradually
- Maintained focus on essential functions
Business Challenges
Resource Constraints
- Limited development team
- Tight timeline
- Marketing budget restrictions
Market Dynamics
- Strong established competitors
- High user expectations
- Complex feature requirements
What Worked Well
User Experience
- Intuitive interface design
- Clear privacy controls
- Family-friendly visuals
Technical Implementation
- Efficient battery usage
- Reliable core features
- Stable performance
Areas for Improvement
Feature Scope
- Better initial feature prioritization
- More focused MVP
- Clearer upgrade path
Market Approach
- More targeted user segment
- Clearer differentiation
- Better resource allocation
While Melon didn’t achieve long-term market success, the project provided valuable insights into family-oriented product development, feature prioritization, and the importance of aligning product complexity with team capabilities. These learnings have influenced my approach to subsequent projects, particularly in balancing user needs with technical and resource constraints.
