Unlocking Engagement: The Gamification Journey of Our Platform
Unlocking Engagement: The Gamification Journey of Our Platform
TL/DR
Initial Push: Encourage users to fill profile info.
Deeper Objective: Unearthed potential in user activation.
Competitive Analysis: Tapped into gamer psyche; thrill of leaderboards.
User Journey: Login > Onboarding > Mission Choice > First Medal.
Advantages: User empowerment, instant gratification, guided exploration.
Design Phase: Sketched medals; picked owl symbol for wisdom.
Animation: Incorporated holographic-style shimmering gradients.
Outcome: Management's approval; gamification greenlit for development.
Medal Progression: Some medals had upgradeable levels.
Introduction
Gamification - a buzzword that most digital platforms toy with, but only a few genuinely harness. When the initial push prompted users to fill in their profile information, it wasn't just another task for me; as a curious designer and an avid gamer, I sensed a more profound potential.
Understanding the Objective
Before diving headfirst, I embarked on comprehensive research. What were the fundamental objectives behind gamification? Beyond the superficial layer of getting users to provide details, I unearthed the gold mine - user activation. More than just filling out personal info, the real win was in maximizing user engagement. Analyzing competitive scenarios, I tapped into the gamer's psyche. The thrill of being in the top 10 of a leaderboard? Priceless.
Mapping the User Journey
The next step was charting out user flows. Where would gamification seamlessly integrate into our platform? The journey I envisioned was:
Login > Onboarding (where users choose their maiden mission, learning platform functionalities in the process) > Complete Onboarding > Receive the First Medal.
The Advantages?
Empowerment: By giving users a choice in their initial mission, they feel in control.
Instant Gratification: A reward at the outset propels users to further explore and engage.
Guided Exploration: The tasks inherently educate users about platform functionalities.
The Creative Process
With the concept clear, it was time for some design magic. I began with rudimentary sketches, printing light gray squares as backdrops for medal designs. My first medal was symbolic - "The master becomes the apprentice - Complete your first course." Despite its overuse (thanks, Duolingo), an owl seemed the apt representation of wisdom. Multiple sketches later, one stood out. It was simple and primed for animation using the Lottie library, which meant vector-based art was vital.
Fine-tuning and Animation
With the prototype medal ready, I incorporated a dynamic touch - animations. A shimmering gradient, reminiscent of holographic trading cards, added the perfect flair. A medley of color trials later, the design didn't just look spectacular but was also lightweight and responsive - a win for both aesthetics and functionality.
The presentation to the management was a pivotal moment. To say it was well-received would be an understatement. The gamification feature was greenlit for development! The medals weren't just static achievements; some had progressive levels, adding layers of engagement.
The gamification component was a roaring success. The entire journey, from ideation to execution, was an exhilarating experience, combining my love for gaming and design. But there's always room for improvement.
I invite feedback - share your insights, critiques, and suggestions. Let's learn and grow together.
Thank you for accompanying me on this journey. 🎮🖌️