Use Case: Trackstars - Gamified Track & Field Ranking App
Role: UX Designer & User Flow Architect
Project Overview
BK Trackstars is a groundbreaking mobile application designed to track, rank, and gamify high school track and field performance. Unlike traditional leaderboards, which exist in isolated school databases, Trackstars creates a real-time, interactive, and social platform that allows athletes to compare rankings at team, state, and national levels while improving through gamified progression.
As the User Experience Designer, my goal is to design an intuitive and engaging interface that makes performance tracking fun, competitive, and social for athletes. The main challenge is that no existing solutions provide an engaging ranking system for track and field athletes, so I must create a seamless flow that encourages adoption, retention, and engagement.
Key User Flow Considerations
1. Onboarding & Registration
PROBLEM:
- Athletes need an easy way to join and verify their identity.
SOLUTION:
- Simple Google account sign-up with auto-fill details.
- Quick setup using school databases to verify team and event participation.
- Instant notification: “We Found You!”, making the experience personalized.
- Profile customization with photo uploads and achievements.
2. Viewing & Comparing Rankings
PROBLEM:
- Athletes lack a way to see where they stand beyond their own team.
SOLUTION:
- Gamified ranking dashboard (local, state, and national leaderboards).
- Filters for age, gender, event type, and team rankings.
- Real-time updates as performance data syncs from coach inputs.
3. Social Engagement & Friend System
Problem:
- Motivation drops when athletes train in isolation.
Solution:
- Friend search & invite system (contacts, Instagram, Facebook).
- Athletes can view workouts from friends and top performers.
- Direct messaging for training tips and challenges.
4. GAMIFICATION & PROGRESS TRACKING
Problem:
- No existing system rewards improvement over time.
Solution:
- Improvement Score: Users get notifications when they gain points.
- Achievements for milestones (e.g., “Top 5 in State”).
- Leaderboards for most improved athletes to reward progress.
CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS
CHALLENGE/UX SOLUTION
- No existing gamified system for track athletes. Created a progress-based ranking system that rewards personal bests, not just top times.
- Athletes feel isolated in training. Social features allow them to connect, compare, and chat with peers.
- Data entry is tedious for athletes.Auto-sync with school databases & coach entries for real-time ranking updates.
- Motivation can drop over time.Push notifications for progress updates and leaderboard challenges keep athletes engaged.
FINAL OUTCOME
- By integrating performance tracking, social engagement, and gamification, Trackstars transforms track and field into a dynamic, competitive, and interactive experience, making training more motivating and measurable.
