Tutorial Feedback
In my last tutorial, I presented Jeff to class and also had Iggy test it out, who’s part of my target audience, and received some feedback that made me reevaluate the user experience, especially in the mental rehearsal component. Iggy suggested that the mental rehearsal part could be more immersive if I make it more personalized and interactive, potentially similar to the choice-based gameplay of “Detroit: Become Human.” This feedback really made me consider the importance of engagement through interactivity, especially in a tool like Jeff, which aims to support behavioral reflection and growth.
As we watched Iggy go through the interview with Jeff, it looked like it was too long and it was boring for us onlookers, there were worries that it was too long and could get boring. However, Iggy himself said the interview length was fine, it’s just that it took awhile for him to go through the questions as English is not his native language. Gab also pointed out that people love answering questions about themselves, which helps keep them engaged.
Initial Self-Testing
During further self-testing, I noticed something that disrupted the flow and engagement of the experience. The issue comes after Jeff generates the two social archetypes. At this point, Jeff would ask the user to see if they wanted a comparison between their online and offline personas. For me personally, this comparison felt like a natural endpoint to the conversation, like providing a sense of closure which actually made me inclined to end the session right there. It was as if I had already reached a satisfying conclusion, this could risk prematurely ending engagement just as users are starting to get into it.
Tweaks
In response to these insights, I made several tweaks to Jeff. First, I removed the comparison prompt entirely after the archetypes are generated, opting instead to transition directly into the mental rehearsal component. It felt like a smoother experience for me now. This change will prevent users from feeling as though they’ve reached the end of the session prematurely, keeping users engaged as they move into the next stage.
For the mental rehearsal component, I implemented a more personalized approach. Instead of providing generic scenarios, Jeff will now ask users to describe an upcoming social situation that might be challenging. This adjustment made the rehearsal feel more relevant and impactful in my own self-testing, as it allowed to me mentally envision a specific real life scenario that I will find myself in rather than imagining a broad hypothetical situation. This shift should align more with McGlade’s (2021) research on mental rehearsal, which highlights the benefits of scenario-specific visualization for confidence and behavior change.
Finally, I added a follow-up component at the end of the rehearsal. Now, Jeff encourages users to return after they’ve lived through the practiced scenario in real life, creating a cycle of action and reflection. This loop mirrors Jung’s (2020) concept of identity negotiation, where behavior is continuously adjusted to align more closely with their ideal self. It turns Jeff into a tool for ongoing growth rather than a single-use exercise, allowing users to build a habit of reflection and gradual social adaptation.
Visualization Update
To better enhance the impact of the visualization component, I tweaked the archetype generation by adding color distinctions and more dynamic motion elements to make the generated archetype stand out more vividly. For example, I introduced cooler colors, like blues and greens, for shyer archetypes to convey a more reserved energy, while using warmer tones, such as reds and oranges, for more extroverted and confident archetypes.
I also tested using a background style inspired by trading cards, almost like tarot cards, to give each generation a distinct frame and aesthetic. This card-like design makes the visualization feel collectible and intentional, adding an extra layer of personalization that makes users feel as though they’re viewing a unique, tangible representation of their social personas. These tweaks should make the visualizations more memorable.
Reflections and Future Considerations
With these changes, I feel Jeff is moving closer to becoming a meaningful tool for bridging the online and offline identity gap. The rehearsal feels more personal and focused now, though I’m still considering the ideal balance between depth and length. I plan to start gathering user feedback to see how I can improve it’s functions more. I’m looking forward to see how these adjustments resonate with others.
References
Jung, E., (2020) Identity gap: A concept for theorizing communicative aspects of
identity. In Proceedings of the Annual Convention of National Communication
Association, University of Southern Mississippi
McGlade, A.L., (2021) Optimizing exposure: Between-session mental rehearsal as an
augmentation strategy. PhD. University of California, Los Angeles