Chatdol
A personalized Kpop idol AI chatbot that allows Kpop fans to
communicate with their favorite idols in a unique and engaging way.
Project Duration
Jan 12th - March 20th, 2023
(Personal Design Project)
My Role
User Research
UX Design
UI Design
Keyword
AI Chatbot
Kpop Fandom App
Overview
Problem
K-pop fans feel a lack of personalized connection and engagement with their favorite idols, especially when they are distant or unavailable (e.g., serving in the military or living in a different country).
Provide a personalized AI chatbot and AI-powered audio calls that mimic idols' language and personality, along with exclusive content, ensuring a more satisfying and engaging user experience for fans.
Solution
How Does It Work?
My Design Process
Research
Understand the Audience and Context
The Audience
Kpop fans, a group of loyal, enthusiastic, and ardent admirers of K-Pop culture who actively engage in various activities and events related to their favorite artists.
Kpop Fandom Culture
Kpop fandom is a community of fans who passionately support and appreciate Korean pop music and its artists through various activities and engagements.
How Do Kpop Fans Stay Engaged?
Merchandise
Collection
Live Concerts
Fandom Apps
Fan meeting
Social Media
What drives K-pop fans to engage in fandom culture?
K-pop fans engage in fandom culture to deepen their emotional connection with idols, find a sense of belonging and community, explore Korean culture, express their creativity and identity, and escape from daily stress while enjoying captivating entertainment.
How do fandom apps help fans stay engaged in their idols' world?
Fandom apps offer exclusive content and interactive features, keeping fans immersed in their idols' world through messaging, live chats, and personalized responses, with some even supporting voice calls.
Interview and Competitive Audit
I conducted interviews with 5 Kpop fans who have past experience using similar fandom apps,
such as Universe and Bubble.
Research Question: What are the preferences and needs of Kpop fans in regards to Kpop idol fandom apps, and how can these preferences be used to inform the development of Chatdol?
Affinity Map
Shortcomings in Current Fandom Apps
User Pain Points
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Personalization shortfall: Fans cannot receive personalized responses due to idols' inability to view and reply to all messages.
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Discontent with the absence of individual attention with their favorite idols due to non-personalized responses.
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Limited AI interaction: AI audio call features rely on pre-recorded messages without real-time interaction
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Unsatisfied with pre-recorded AI audio calls that lack engagement, leading to a less immersive experience.
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Non-exclusive content: Fandom apps often feature content already available on other social media platforms.
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Questioning the value of paying for the app and expecting more exclusive content.
User Persona
I created two Personas based on my research findings
Define And Ideation
Problem Statement
Jenny is a passionate K-pop fan who seeks a more personalized and engaging way to connect with her favorite idol while he serves in the military because his presence has been a significant source of support and motivation in her life.
How Might We
How might we create a personalized AI chatbot to enable Jenny to have personalized and engaging connections with their idols, while fostering a sense of community and overcoming distance challenges?
Conceptualization of Key Features
Personalized
AI Chatbot
Jenny can interact with a chatbot that mimics her favorite idol's language, tone, and personality, allowing her to feel a stronger connection even while he is serving in the military.
AI-generated
Audio Calls
Jenny can enjoy simulated real-time conversations with her idol using voice synthesis technology, providing her with a more immersive and engaging experience.
Exclusive
Real-time Updates
Jenny will receive updates on his activities, exclusive content, and personalized notifications, keeping her connected and engaged with her favorite K-pop star.
User Journey Map
IA and Wireframe
Information Architecture
Wireframe
Iteration and Hi-fi Prototype
Based on my wireframe prototype, I conducted user testing with 7 participants. Incorporating the insights gained from the usability test, I made iterations to my design to enhance the overall user experience of Chatdol.
6 out of 7 participants found the subscription process confusing due to a
lack of payment detail confirmation and reminders.
Jane: "How do I jump to the Congratulation suddenly? I have not confirmed anything about the payment."
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The payment process has been streamlined, and subscription details have been added after the user proceeds with the payment.
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Two options were also included for users to select after completing their payment.
4 out of 7 participants experienced confusion when they scheduled a call and were immediately directed to the calling page. They expected to have the ability to schedule the call for a later time, rather than being taken to the call right away.
July:"I'm curious if there's an option for scheduling calls at a more convenient time, or if I can only accept instant calls?"
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The schedule and calendar function was implemented to provide users with the option to schedule calls for a later time
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The record option has been added, allowing users to revisit and playback their past conversations
3/7 of the participants felt that the features offered on the subscription page were limited.
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The update plan and subscription sections were merged, and profile, calendar, and explore more options were added to the subscription page, enabling users to access more features and personalize their experience.
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Multiple entry points were created for users to easily access their profile.
Takeaways
Impact
After completing the Chatdol prototype, I collected feedback from 12 potential users. 80% of the former interviewees I spoke with said they would try the app and pay for the subscription fee upon launch. Additionally, when I asked five classmates who aren't K-pop fans for their opinions, they showed support and appreciation for the app. One mentioned that she might try it if she feels bored and lonely, seeking someone to chat with. Another classmate highlighted the potential for practicing English through the app, suggesting that Chatdol could cater to a broader user group beyond K-pop fans.
What I learned
Throughout the project, I gained insights into user needs within K-pop fandom apps and the importance of empathy in understanding their motivations and pain points. I learned the value of iterating on designs based on user feedback and considering diverse perspectives to create engaging and effective digital experiences.
Challenges to address
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Ensuring personalization when the AI model can only be trained with outdated data.
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Implementing measures/strategy to prevent ethical issues related to AI usage in the app.
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Ensuring user privacy and data security as the app handles sensitive information and personal conversations between fans and their AI-generated idols.
Next steps
1. Multilingual support: Implement language options for the app's interface, enabling users to navigate and interact with the app in their preferred language.
2. Integrate social features: Add features that allow fans to connect with each other, such as chat rooms, forums, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.
3. Improve user interface and experience: Regularly gather user feedback to identify areas for improvement and optimize the app's interface, navigation, and overall experience.