The weather platform that makes surfing exceptional for everyone.
Who needs complicated weather info? Let swellhead do the work and make planning easy, so you can surf, without wasting time on the details.
Swellhead is only the start of an ongoing project. After receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, the intention is to take the project to the next level.
Process
1
Market analysis
Assessment of direct and indirect competitors to create a base understanding and the competitive landscape
In this project, this was a key factor in identifying the direction and potential users early on.
2
Define the problem
Starting with an assumption to focus the direction
Clear, concise user stories to summarise the assumption to immediately hone in on a subcategory of the market to begin user research. The research then highlighted the insights that would really shape Swellhead.
3
Foundational Design
Structured Information Architecture and wireframing
Building potential solutions for the identified problem areas through user flows, sitemapping and wireframing.
4
Design Testing
Rigorous testing of the design in the hands of users
User testing and A/B testing used to validate designs or give new insights into the mind of the users. Here we find what the users actually value.
5
Refine & Iterate
Making a product beyond function
Built on the base of the UX process, the development of a unique and beautiful UI follows its own process of iterative design, through testing, workshops and collaboration.
Research tasks
97%
Competitor analysis
Competitive SWOT and UX analysis main findings
Current specific solutions that are overcomplicated for the majority of non-pro users.
UX is generally boring and flat, with a lot of text. Can be very cluttered.
Many features seemed like and afterthought.
Alternatives are often more generic weather applications, such as apple or CARROT weather.
CARROT is a great example of how something as mundane as weather can be made fun. It doesn’t offer anything Unique in terms of information, but is very simple and fun to use.
Has a nice overview heading that summarises the weather for the user with a touch of humour.
User research
75%
Surfed within a 3-week period
70+% plan within only 3 days
96% of people monitor within 9 days
Of surfers live within 3 hours of their favourite surfing spots
Overwhelming majority within a single hour.
Main reason for surfing is purely leisure, including adventure and social aspects.
Only 70% of people even consider the weather at all when planning.
Interview main insights
Want to know at a glance. Is it good?
Live relevant and local info is key.
Wave height, wind direction, tide, set/period time are most essential.
Majority are considered “Weekend Surfers” - 18-young professional or Young Family.
Geolocation effects Wave ‘Quality’
People in the industry consider some beaches’ beginner, intermediate and pro levels.
Locations are not always dependable for a good day surfing.
Just for fun, not chasing the perfect wave.
Less or no meteorological knowledge - Information should be displayed in layman terms.
The Problem
The Weekend Surfers need a reliable way to stay on top of the changing weather conditions before and during their surf sessions. It's crucial for both the experience and safety of themselves and their friends or family.
We'll know we've hit the mark when surfers feel they can count on and really value the info they get from our product.
Weekend Surfer
/ˌwiːkˈɛnd, ˈsəːfə/
a surfer who goes to the beach frequently, but most often during the weekends.
“I only see him during the weekends, he is a weekend surfer”
a casual surfer who surfs only for leisure.
“A weekend surfer has more fun out of the water than in it”
The People
Cillian is a 38-year-old electrician from Cork. He works regular hours, but can be very busy from time to time. He and his wife have young, energetic kids that go to the local primary school. Since they both work during the week and life gets in the way, they like to make sure that they are all spending time together doing something they enjoy during the weekend.
Social
Techie
Motivations
Connect with family
Entertain the kids
Be outside away from work and chores
Do something he always enjoyed
Have fun and relax
Everyday activities
Works a 9-5 Monday to Friday job
Constantly working on the house after work
Spends time with the family
Doesn’t get out as much as he would like
Visits parents whenever possible
Loves a good BBQ
Flows:
Find safety information for your top spot
Search and select locations for your next trip
Update your preferences
Mobile
Desktop
Frustrations
Doesn’t have his own equipment
Going to the beach and there are no waves
Can’t trust the forecast - can disappoint kids
Goals & Needs
Have fun with the family
Get the kids out of the house
Get a little bit of exercise
Enjoy the outdoors
Get back to an old hobby
The secondary persona closely resembles the user journey of our primary persona. Their similarities suggest that they ultimately seek enjoyment either alone or in a group. Their priorities are the main source of variation, which indicates that the primary user was once in a similar position to the secondary persona.
“You might have to drive for three different beaches to see which one has the best waves, so just having a quick frontier, if you’re driving or whatever, and you’re you just want to see oh, is it good here?”
User Testing
Site mapping
Navigation
With three main functions, the navigation is super intuitive, giving all the information up front.
That means that swellhead users can spend less time sifting through useless information and more time in the water. It’s all about what the surfer wants to know and when.
Search
Surfers pursue waves, So swellhead aids in locating the finest ones.
Spots
Surfers care more about wave conditions than weather. Swellhead directs users to prime wave spots, not weather forecasts.
Preferences
Surfing is personal, so swellhead helps surfers find the fix they're looking for.
Onboarding
Swellhead employs emotional design to craft a unique user experience, evoking feelings of joy, frustration, and even confusion to give users a visceral understanding of what to anticipate.
A good example of this emotional guidance can be found in the onboarding process of the platform, and wherever else swellhead can assist its users.
Preference setting
Surfing is a deeply personal experience. Surfers want to reach that state of joy and fulfilment, so why should swellhead be any different?
Preference settings are pivotal on the platform, guiding suggestions based on users' surfing preferences. Rapid customization accommodates users' changing moods effectively.
Search
Finding a spot can be so hit or miss, but finding one that suits you can be so easy.
Swellhead only suggests the places that best suit you. Based off of your preferences and what others have said before, you can gain confidence in knowing what you’re in for.
Details
Sometimes when you found the perfect spot, the details matter. When they do, just tap and find out more.
Discover accessibility, wildlife, and safety details, or simply learn more about your upcoming experience, all conveniently available in the spot's detail view.
Future planning
Swellhead won’t be stopping here. There will be much more to see in the future. So, what’s the plan?
Construction of an advanced prototype.
This will be used for customer engagement and market testing.
Development of a feedback loop.
Necessary to find local insights as well as what are the weather conditions that create the best experience for the user’s interests and level.
Notifications and warnings.
There is greater potential to use the swellhead character to strengthen the brand and solidify the platform as a helper.
Selection and display of unknown beaches or locations.
Some thought has been put into this already and this can be seen by the Inclusion of the Manual Search function in the search flow, but as it is a significant feature, it requires some attention to nail down.
Engagement of potential investors and other stakeholders.
Investigation of interest in continued development of swellhead.
If you are interested in hearing more about swellhead in the future, dont be afraid to reach out.
