Flexi: Fitness Tracking for Real Life
User Research
User Research
User Research
Prototyping
Prototyping
Prototyping
Cognitive Walkthrough
Cognitive Walkthrough
Cognitive Walkthrough
project type
Academic Project
GoaL
Target Audience
ROLE
team
4 co-designers
tools
Figma, Paper Prototyping
Date
Sep 2024
Duration
TL;DR
Overview
Flexi is a fitness tracking system built for busy international grad students, designed to reduce pressure, curb data “faking,” and support long-term wellness. With features like snooze mode, flexible goals, and a virtual companion, we reframed how health data supports—not stresses—users.
“Because skipping the gym shouldn't mean you're skipping self-care.”
Methods
+
+
+
+
Highlights
1
1. Understanding the Why Behind “Faking It”
Discover the real motivations behind manipulating fitness tracker data.
We interviewed 11 international grad students who regularly use trackers. Many described skipping workouts due to academic and cultural pressures—but still wanting the satisfaction of “progress.” Peer comparisons and rigid daily goals added anxiety.
🔍 Insight: "Daily step counts" can feel like daily judgment.
1. Understanding the Why Behind “Faking It”
Discover the real motivations behind manipulating fitness tracker data.
We interviewed 11 international grad students who regularly use trackers. Many described skipping workouts due to academic and cultural pressures—but still wanting the satisfaction of “progress.” Peer comparisons and rigid daily goals added anxiety.
🔍 Insight: "Daily step counts" can feel like daily judgment.
1. Understanding the Why Behind “Faking It”
Discover the real motivations behind manipulating fitness tracker data.
We interviewed 11 international grad students who regularly use trackers. Many described skipping workouts due to academic and cultural pressures—but still wanting the satisfaction of “progress.” Peer comparisons and rigid daily goals added anxiety.
🔍 Insight: "Daily step counts" can feel like daily judgment.
2
2. Designing for Flexibility, Not Perfection
Reframe success through long-term wellness, not rigid metrics.
We introduced a flexible mode that lets users set adaptable goals and prioritize feeling good over hitting a number. This helped reduce cheating and improve engagement with realistic planning.
“Not every day has to be a PR day.”
2. Designing for Flexibility, Not Perfection
Reframe success through long-term wellness, not rigid metrics.
We introduced a flexible mode that lets users set adaptable goals and prioritize feeling good over hitting a number. This helped reduce cheating and improve engagement with realistic planning.
“Not every day has to be a PR day.”
2. Designing for Flexibility, Not Perfection
Reframe success through long-term wellness, not rigid metrics.
We introduced a flexible mode that lets users set adaptable goals and prioritize feeling good over hitting a number. This helped reduce cheating and improve engagement with realistic planning.
“Not every day has to be a PR day.”
3
3. A Virtual Friend, Not a Digital Drill Sergeant
Make the experience emotionally supportive, not robotic.
Instead of endless graphs, we created a virtual companion—a character who encourages users, nudges gently, and notices overexertion. It's wellness, with a touch of warmth.
“It’s like having a tiny coach who also gets when you’re overwhelmed.”
3. A Virtual Friend, Not a Digital Drill Sergeant
Make the experience emotionally supportive, not robotic.
Instead of endless graphs, we created a virtual companion—a character who encourages users, nudges gently, and notices overexertion. It's wellness, with a touch of warmth.
“It’s like having a tiny coach who also gets when you’re overwhelmed.”
3. A Virtual Friend, Not a Digital Drill Sergeant
Make the experience emotionally supportive, not robotic.
Instead of endless graphs, we created a virtual companion—a character who encourages users, nudges gently, and notices overexertion. It's wellness, with a touch of warmth.
“It’s like having a tiny coach who also gets when you’re overwhelmed.”
4
4. Fitness That Fits In, Not Adds On
Help users fit movement into their existing schedule—not the other way around.
We designed the Flexi-Schedule to integrate with class and work calendars, suggesting in-between task workouts (like a walk between classes) or simple stretches before study sessions. By syncing with daily routines, Flexi helped students build movement into life without needing extra time or mental energy.
“When your calendar’s packed, your workout shouldn’t feel like another meeting.”
4. Fitness That Fits In, Not Adds On
Help users fit movement into their existing schedule—not the other way around.
We designed the Flexi-Schedule to integrate with class and work calendars, suggesting in-between task workouts (like a walk between classes) or simple stretches before study sessions. By syncing with daily routines, Flexi helped students build movement into life without needing extra time or mental energy.
“When your calendar’s packed, your workout shouldn’t feel like another meeting.”
4. Fitness That Fits In, Not Adds On
Help users fit movement into their existing schedule—not the other way around.
We designed the Flexi-Schedule to integrate with class and work calendars, suggesting in-between task workouts (like a walk between classes) or simple stretches before study sessions. By syncing with daily routines, Flexi helped students build movement into life without needing extra time or mental energy.
“When your calendar’s packed, your workout shouldn’t feel like another meeting.”
5
Reflection
Through this project, we learned that behavior change isn't just about nudging—it's about empathy. Metrics can motivate or shame, depending on how they're framed. Designing for flexibility gave our users a new way to succeed: on their own terms.
“Sometimes, the best workout is giving yourself a break.”
Reflection
Through this project, we learned that behavior change isn't just about nudging—it's about empathy. Metrics can motivate or shame, depending on how they're framed. Designing for flexibility gave our users a new way to succeed: on their own terms.
“Sometimes, the best workout is giving yourself a break.”
Reflection
Through this project, we learned that behavior change isn't just about nudging—it's about empathy. Metrics can motivate or shame, depending on how they're framed. Designing for flexibility gave our users a new way to succeed: on their own terms.
“Sometimes, the best workout is giving yourself a break.”