erin—j—lee
Designing features that spark joy.
TAYO
Get on and ride safely. A transportation app for older adults.
Challenge
Design an app that helps the older population gain technology literacy.
Duration
Oct - Dec 2024
Role
Product Designer
UX Researcher
Tools
Figma
FigJam
Procreate
Opportunity
A chance to provide a service to an underserved population.
PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS
CONTEXT
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, the older generation is often left behind when it comes to designing digital solutions. This can leave older individuals feeling disconnected and underserved—especially when it comes to something as essential as transportation.
PROBLEM
Technology literacy among the aging population
As our population ages, the need for accessible, reliable, and user-friendly transportation solutions becomes more critical than ever. I decided to create a mobile transportation app specifically tailored for older adults because I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges many face in staying mobile and independent.
Public transportation can be daunting, traditional ride-share platforms often lack the simplicity and accessibility they require, and relying solely on family or friends isn’t always feasible.
SOLUTION
A transportation app for aging population
TAYO restores independence to older adults by offering a reliable and user-friendly transportation solution tailored to their needs. For caregivers, TAYO offers a peace of mind with its integrated safety checks and features. The app not only fosters a sense of independence for older adults but also builds a bridge of trust and connection between them and their families, helping everyone feel supported.
FINAL SCREENS
AUDIT
“Please get on”
타요, or tayo in English romanization, is a phrase commonly used to urge people to get on the bus. Taking inspiration from the romanization, I created a transportation app with older adults in mind.
Ta - yo
verb
Korean for “please get on”
RESEARCH
The older generation, consisting of ages 65-80, has been recorded to have less confidence when interacting with new technology like phones. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans (89% of those 50-plus and 90% of those 18-49) own a smart phone, according to the national survey conducted online in the fall of 2023.
— AARP
The older population’s technology problems
Older adults often face unique challenges when interacting with modern digital interfaces, shaped by limited familiarity with touch-based technology and age-related changes in vision, dexterity, and confidence.
The Audience:
tends to be nervous when handling phones and computers
grew up around technology containing more physical buttons (landlines, no touch screens, etc.)
have harder time reading smaller text
have harder time navigating smaller buttons
most likely have physical impairments that make it harder to hold a phone (shaky hands, etc.)
Competitive Research
Los Angeles, California is not known for its mobility nor walkability. Especially for older adults who may have trouble navigating schedules and waiting at bus stops. Ride share apps like Uber and Lyft offer door to door transportation but the UI is not as user-friendly for people not used to technology.
Ride Share Apps: Uber/Lyft
Pros:
More suitable for elders needing flexible, on-demand, door-to-door transport, especially if assisted by a family member or caregiver.
They may be slightly easier for elders who have tech support from loved ones or access to app alternatives like Concierge services.
Cons:
The app interface may be challenging for tech-averse elders, but ride share apps offers phone booking assistance, and more specialized accommodations like wheelchair storage.
Public Transportation: LA Metro
Pros:
Ideal for elders with fixed, predictable commutes who are cost-sensitive and comfortable using public transit.
Its accessibility services and senior-friendly discounts make it a viable option for routine travel but may lack flexibility for spontaneous trips.
Cons:
Metro trains and buses are generally safe, but crowded or late-night routes may pose safety concerns for vulnerable populations.
FEATURE COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
USER PERSONAS
A personal motive.
The inspiration for this app comes from a deeply personal place. We were encouraged to speak to the older adults in our lives when thinking about the purpose of our app.
USER PERSONAS
STORY
Hero Journey
The Hero’s Journey framework was created using my halmeoni’s story and the transformative solution provided by TAYO. Full view can be seen in the Figma presentation linked below.
Story board
As a non-native English speaker, my grandma has often struggled to navigate traditional transportation services and digital platforms. Watching her face these challenges sparked a realization: older adults, particularly those with language barriers, are often overlooked in the design of modern apps and services. The beginning user research for this project led to the creation of TAYO.
STORYBOARD + APP WALKTHROUGH
RIDER SITEMAP
CAREGIVER SITEMAP
UI SPECS
Understanding older adults’ UI needs
These specs ensured that every screen, from large touch targets to high-contrast text, was designed with older adults’ needs in mind. By detailing components, states, spacing, and behavior, the UI specs served as a clear blueprint for developers and helped maintain a consistent, intuitive, and age-friendly experience throughout the product.
UI SPEC: SEARCHING
UI SPEC: DRIVER INFORMATION
UI SPEC: SAVED FAVORITES
VD SPEC: FONT USAGE
FEATURE SPOTLIGHT
For you and your loved ones
TAYO empowers older adults by giving them the freedom to stay mobile and independent, allowing them to navigate their world with confidence and ease. At the same time, it provides peace of mind for caregivers, offering features like real-time trip updates and notifications to ensure their loved ones are safe and supported every step of the way.
Rider View
Caregiver View
DECISIONS
Differentiating Features
The riders will mainly comprise of older adults especially those whom English is not their first language, so extra steps were taken to make sure that these issues were seen and solved within the onboarding and interaction of the app.
Changes and feedback
For this project, I created comprehensive UI specifications that defined the visual layout, interaction patterns, and accessibility requirements of the transportation app. After feedback I made some UI changes I made to the app, to better communicate clear user interactions.
QA TESTING: SEARCH SUGGESTIONS
QA TESTING: BUTTON CONTRAST
CONCLUSION
New Years
This app concept grew out of those conversations, rooted in empathy and a desire to bridge gaps. By prioritizing simplicity, accessibility, and features like multilingual support and caregiver collaboration, this app aims to empower older adults to maintain their independence and stay connected with the world around them. Whether it’s running errands, attending appointments, or visiting loved ones, TAYO provides a reliable and stress-free solution tailored specifically to their needs.
REFLECTION
Future testing and implementation
TAYO was created as a project for my Mobile Design Interaction class but it quickly became something more important and personal to me. In the future, I would love to delve deeper into the specific design needs an older adult needs thats not just font size adjusting. Perhaps a text to speech or an AI assistant feature in the near future. After presenting my final product some feedback I got was to look into animations to provide the riders with a sense of accomplishment when successfully taking a ride with the app.