HAJJ APP
SMARTWATCH APP FOR HAJJ
Need.
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Easier experience while performing hajj rituals.
Design question.
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How might we help pilgrims perform the rituals of Hajj?
Concept overview.
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To create an app that facilitates the journey of Hajj. The app can track the movement of pilgrims around Kaaba, counts the number of rounds walked between Safa and Marwa. The app has a customizable playlist that may include prayer or Quraan. Also, the app can include verification of COVID-19 vaccine.
What is Hajj?
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The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey. The rites of pilgrimage are performed over five to six days, extending from the 8th to the 12th or 13th the last month of the Islamic calendar. Every year, millions of people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals: each person walks counter-clockwise seven times around the Kaaba (a cube-shaped building and the direction of prayer for Muslims), walks back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, then goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil and pray, spends a night in the desert of Muzdalifa, and performs symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing stones at three pillars. At the end of ritual, it comes the celebration of Eid al-Adha.
Market research.
Hajj Smart ID app
The app was designed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Pilgrim can utilize features like:
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• Request a particular meal menu for each day of the pilgrimage.
• Get directions for prominent Hajj sites.
• View schedule for each day.
• In app chat feature
Hajj and Umrah app
The app was designed by Dawat-e-Islami organization.
Features include:
• Comprehensive step-by-step guide of performing Hajj & Umrah.
• Necessary videos related to Hajj & Umrah are part of this application.
• Duas (Supplications)
• Checklist for Preparation of Journey
• Prayer Timings
• Weather conditions of Makkah, Madina and Jeddah.
• Currency Converter: Using this feature user can convert Saudi Riyal into different currencies and vice versa.
• Share: By using this feature user can share App link with anyone via different social media platforms.
• Place of Interest: With this feature, user can specify locations for Holy Places, Hotel, and Restaurant near by his current location.
How old are you?
What languages do you speak?
Did you go to Hajj alone or with a travel agent? or with family?
How many times have you been to Hajj before?
How do you keep track of all the rounds you have to do around Kaaba/ Saa3i/ Jamart?
What are the things you carry around while performing rituals? What books do you carry?
How often do you use your phone? What apps do you use during Hajj?
How do you navigate around? Do you stay with the group?
Do you wear earphones with wire or wireless? What do you listen to?
Users interview questions.
Developing personas.
About
Sara Abdullah is a 33 years old working businesswoman. Sara took a holiday from work to go to Hajj for the first time this year. She is going with her husband and her mother. Sara attended Hajj preparation sessions that are organized by the travel agent they booked with. She wrote down a lot of notes about spirituality and prayers, but Sara is a bit afraid of losing track of laps, rounds, or losing track of her family and the group.
Preferences
Sara has been to Umrah before so she is familiar with some of the rituals, during which she prefers to listen to duaa (prayers) while walking instead of reading from a booklet. Sara also wears a count ring on one finger to count the prayers and another ring to keep track of laps.
Frustrations
Sara is short, so it is harder for her to keep track of laps as sometimes she can’t see much because of the crowd. Also, the crowd waves can break the human chain she made with her group, and then she will drift away from them.
Persona.
Concept/ project scope.
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To create a smartwatch app that facilitates the journey of Hajj. The app can track the movement of pilgrims around Kaaba, counts the number of rounds walked between Safa and Marwa. The app has a customizable playlist that may include prayer or Quraan. Also, the app can include verification of COVID-19 vaccine and doses information. The app has the pilgrim's train ticket that can be easily scanned when entering the metro.
Gadget.
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Apple watch is the most suitable gadget for the suggested app, as the watch has a bigger screen and more advanced usability than other types of smartwatches.
Initial sketches.
Developed Flow map.
Mid-fidelity prototype.
Visual Design.
Color palette.
Typography
Icons development.
