Introducing "Bulk Delete" to Gmail App

Design Process

Step 1

I had a one-on-one session with users to retrieve information about WHAT they think and WHY they think by using open-ended questions. With that, I was able to further understand their challenges and gather more pain points.

Surveys

I took 19 online surveys that showed that Gmail was the most used Stock App among Android Users. I interviewed 5 Android Users and they were facing the following pain points with the Gmail App.

User Pain Points

Step 2

Moving on to our next design process, “Define”. This phase was where I started analyzing and synthesizing the data I gathered from the empathy stage which enabled me to define the problem statement in a human-centred manner.

Problem Statement Android users want to be able to bulk delete emails, and social and promotional emails on their Gmail App to save time and free up their Google Storage.

Empathy Map

The empathy map helps me visualize all the findings and subtle clues like body language and facial expressions from the user. These clues can be categorized into how the users FEEL, what they SAY, DO and THINK.

User Personas

Step 3

After I empathized with the users in the empathy stage, I analyzed and synthesized my observations in the define stage, where I arrived at a human-centred problem statement. At this phase, I had a brainstorming session, ideated and came up with solutions to the problem statement I identified in the define stage.

User flow

User Flow is a chart or diagram that shows the path a user will take to complete tasks or goals in a digital product.

Earlier, users could only delete emails one at a time. Incorporating a delete feature allows users to bulk delete just like Gmail Web!

The solution- I’ve added the Delete feature to Gmail App on the Gmail web so Users can bulk delete by selecting appropriate categories and social and promotional emails.

Step 4

This is an experimental phase where I jumped on my design tools to come up with a version of the products that solve the problem I identified in the defined stage. I drafted my style guide to make our design elements consistent.

Next Step

This case study proposed small, but impactful changes to provide a much better experience for users while keeping the delete button in the home screen so that user can delete their unwanted emails. This transformation will not take much time from users and they can free up their google storage as well.
Some next steps for this project would be to explore Gmail more and make it easier to use.

Reflection and Learning

1) Small, but Powerful - I have been doing lots of usability testing and I learned that sometimes even the smallest change can have a meaningful impact on users. The Delete option would be a small addition to the application and would greatly impact on user’s experience.

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2) Users are Important - When it comes to designing, it is important to understand the needs of both sides. For this project, I wanted to make too many changes that would make the Gmail website no longer look like what is it now. However, after doing interviews and surveys, I got to learn more about the users and their needs. When it comes to redesigning, we have to care and be aware of the user’s needs.

 Thank You!