Wish Alerts: A User-Centered Approach to Smart Notifications
Case Study
Jan 19, 2023
The App Store offers millions of apps, but for many users, finding high-quality, relevant apps at discounted prices is a frustrating experience. Wish Alert was designed to simplify app discovery by offering real-time notifications, curated recommendations, and an ad-free experience.
As the Product Designer, I led the entire design process, including research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. I collaborated closely with developers and stakeholders to bring the concept to life.
My Role
As the Product Designer, I led the entire design process, including research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. I collaborated closely with developers and stakeholders to bring the concept to life.
Responsibilities
Conducting user research and defining personas.
Creating user flows, wireframes, and prototypes.
Designing high-fidelity UI and implementing a cohesive design system.
Leading usability tests and iterating based on user feedback.
Challenges
Overwhelming Choices:
The App Store’s vast catalog often leaves users feeling lost, unsure of how to find the apps that truly suit their needs.Missed Opportunities:
Without centralized notifications, users frequently miss limited-time deals and promotions.Ad Overload:
Many apps rely heavily on intrusive ads, which disrupt the experience and diminish trust.
Undersatnding the User
Efficiency is Everything
Users don’t have the time—or patience—to browse endlessly. They want a solution that quickly surfaces apps relevant to their needs and interests.Timely Updates Matter
Many users regret missed promotions and limited-time discounts due to the lack of real-time notifications.Trust is Crucial
Intrusive ads and poorly vetted recommendations erode trust in apps and platforms. Users crave genuine, tailored recommendations and a clean, distraction-free experience.
Solution
Crafting a User-Centered Platform
1. Real-Time Alerts
Mahsa, a busy language teacher, often missed app discounts simply because there was no reliable way to stay updated. We envisioned a system that would notify her about deals the moment they went live, tailored specifically to her interests.
Key Design Decision: Notifications were fully customizable, allowing users to select categories like “Education” or “Productivity.” This ensured Mahsa only received updates she cared about, making the notifications helpful rather than annoying.
2. Curated Sections
For Farhad, the App Store felt like a chaotic library—overwhelming and impersonal. He needed clarity, and Wish Alert delivered it with curated sections like “Top Free Apps” and “Hidden Gems.”
Key Design Decision: Each section was designed to feel like flipping through a beautifully organized magazine. Relevance, interests, and trends grouped apps, so Farhad could browse effortlessly and discover meaningful options.
3. Ad-Free Pro Option
Ads were a pain point for many users, so we gave them a choice. In the free version, ads were designed to be subtle and non-intrusive. For users like Farhad who wanted a seamless experience, the Pro account offered ad-free browsing and premium perks like early access to deals.
User Journey
Through this journey, Wish Alert transforms app discovery from a frustrating task into a seamless, personalized experience.
A Solution Built for Users
The true success of Wish Alert lies in its ability to adapt to each user’s needs:
For Mahsa, it’s a dependable tool for staying updated and saving money.
For Farhad, it’s a curated, enjoyable browsing experience that respects his time.
Together, these features create a platform that feels as though it was designed just for them—and in many ways, it was.
The Design Process: Crafting the Experience
From Idea to Reality
Designing Wish Alert was an iterative journey where every step was guided by our users’ needs. My goal as the product designer was to ensure that the final product was not just functional but also delightful, intuitive, and impactful.
With Mahsa and Farhad in mind, we followed a user-centered design process, broken into five key phases: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Each phase brought us closer to solving the challenges we uncovered.
Prototype: Bringing the Vision to Life
We translated our ideas into prototypes, starting with low-fidelity wireframes and gradually evolving into high-fidelity mockups.
Low-Fidelity Wireframes: Focused on structure and flow—testing how users would navigate the app.
High-Fidelity Mockups: Focused on aesthetics and fine-tuning interactions to align with our design goals.
For example, we iterated on the notification system to make it both visually clear and easy to customize. Early tests revealed that users preferred notifications grouped by category rather than individual alerts.
Information Architecture and User Flow Integration: To ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience, we mapped out a clear Information Architecture and User Flow.
Prototype
Test: Learning from Feedback
Usability testing was a crucial step in refining Wish Alert. We tested the app with 15 users, including people like Mahsa and Farhad, to uncover pain points and validate design decisions.
What We Learned:
Notifications: Users loved the customization options but wanted clearer controls for enabling/disabling categories.
Solution: Added a toggle interface for managing notification preferences.
Curated Sections: Some users struggled to find the curated lists initially.
Solution: Added a “Discover” tab with easy access to all curated sections.
Ad-Free Experience: Pro users appreciated the ad-free option, but they also wanted exclusive content.
Solution: Introduced premium features like early access to deals.
Lessons Learned: Growing Through Design
Reflections on the Journey
Designing Wish Alert was more than solving a problem—it was a transformative experience. Each phase of the project taught me something new about the power of empathy, iteration, and collaboration in creating meaningful user experiences.
1. Empathy is the Key to Connection
Listening to users like Mahsa and Farhad opened my eyes to the depth of their frustrations. Samantha’s simple wish for “someone to do the hard part for me” became the guiding principle of our design: simplicity, relevance, and respect for the user’s time.
2. Iteration Unlocks Excellence
Initial testing was humbling—users struggled with navigation and found notifications overwhelming. However, each round of feedback revealed blind spots and opportunities to improve. For instance, adding a dedicated “Discover” tab made curated sections easier to find, transforming confusion into delight.
3. Trust is Earned Through Design
Balancing monetization with user experience was challenging but essential. By offering a Pro option and keeping free-version ads non-intrusive, we created a product user-trusted while meeting business goals.
4. Collaboration Fuels Creativity
Working with my iOS developer friend pushed me to think beyond my initial ideas. Together, we refined features like “Free Today,” which became the app’s most popular section.
5. Data Drives Decisions
Post-launch analytics confirmed what worked—like the popularity of “Free Today”—and highlighted areas for improvement. Data bridged the gap between assumptions and real user behavior.
"Designing Wish Alert was a journey of discovery a chance to connect deeply with users, embrace challenges, and turn insights into meaningful solutions. It reinforced my passion for creating intuitive, impactful designs that solve real problems.
But my journey doesn’t stop here. Every project I take on is an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference through thoughtful design. Whether it’s designing seamless user experiences, solving complex problems, or crafting visually engaging interfaces, I’m ready to bring the same dedication and creativity to your next challenge."
