THEMAGIC5

THEMAGIC5 is a robotics company that creates custom fit swimming goggles, made to measure the unique contours of your face. During my internship as a software engineer, I was tasked with developing accessible tools for swimmers of all levels, from beginners to Olympic athletes. My responsibilities included conceptualizing, designing, and testing two main products: a swim phase calculator and a swimming time regression analysis tool. I collaborated closely with the company's founders, data analysts, and professional swimmers to ensure the tools were user-friendly and accurate. My role also expanded into a project management internship, where I oversaw the integration of these tools into the existing THEMAGIC5 platform.

At THEMAGIC5, I focused on developing the quintessential tools by anchoring on three pivotal elements vital for their successful adoption: pinpoint accuracy, effortless usability, and the presentation of impactful data. The solutions I engineered are a testament to these principles:

1. Intuitive Swim Phase Calculator: This feature boasts an easy-to-navigate interface, ensuring effortless data input and clear, understandable output displays. This caters to our commitment to user-friendliness.
2. Dynamic Swimming Time Regression Analysis Tool: Designed for engagement and precision, this tool includes interactive elements such as hover-over data points and incorporates historical context for a comprehensive understanding.
3. Seamless Integration with Existing THEMAGIC5 Platform: Recognizing the importance of a cohesive user experience, I ensured that these new tools blend seamlessly with the existing THEMAGIC5 platform. This integration maintains the familiar ease of use and enhances the overall user experience without disruption.

Problem

Lack of Accessible and Accurate Swimming Analysis Tools

When I joined THEMAGIC5, there was a significant gap in the market for user-friendly, precise tools available for swimmers across various skill levels to scrutinize and enhance their performance. Recognizing this need, our dedicated team embarked on a mission to bridge this void. We focused on developing innovative solutions that could serve a diverse range of swimmers. This led us to the pivotal question that guided our journey:

How might we equip swimmers of all abilities with effective tools for analyzing and elevating their performance?

Research

Our primary goal was to delve deeply into the diverse needs of swimmers at different skill levels and to craft tools that struck the perfect balance between precision and user-friendliness. Our journey began with a thorough analysis of the tools currently available in the market, pinpointing where they fell short. This comprehensive evaluation involved several key steps:

1. In-depth Review of User Feedback: We meticulously examined feedback on current market offerings, seeking to fully understand the experiences and expectations of users. This process was crucial in shaping our perspective on what swimmers truly need and want.
2. Engagement with the Swimming Community: By conducting interviews with both swimmers and coaches, we gathered first-hand insights into the everyday challenges they face and their aspirations. This engagement provided us with a richer, more nuanced understanding of the swimming world.
3. Data Trend Analysis in Swimming Performance: To ensure our tools were not just innovative but also grounded in reality, we dove into performance data trends. Our aim was to grasp the evolving dynamics of swimming efficiency and effectiveness. We meticulously analyzed over 4,300 rows of Olympic swimming results, providing a robust foundation for our regression analysis tool. This deep dive into data ensured that our solutions were based on accurate, comprehensive, and relevant information.

Insights

Our comprehensive research and meticulous testing culminated in a series of pivotal insights, shaping the direction of our tool development:

1. Need for Simplicity: Our findings revealed a strong preference among swimmers for tools that are straightforward and user-friendly. The ease of understanding and utilization stood out as a key factor for swimmers at all levels.
2. Accuracy and Reliability: Professional swimmers, in particular, stressed the critical importance of precision in data. Reliable and exact information is indispensable for their training and performance optimization.
3. Fostering Engagement and Learning: We discovered that users highly value tools that not only track their current performance but also offer meaningful insights and recommendations for improvement. This aspect underscores the need for tools that are not just functional but also educational and engaging.

Ideation

Our creative process began with intensive brainstorming sessions. In these sessions, we merged the expertise of designers, developers, and swimmers, drawing on our key insights and valuable user feedback. This collaboration was pivotal in conceptualizing various designs and features.

Design Exploration and Iteration:

We embarked on a journey of design explorations, creating several iterations for both tools. Our focus areas were:

• User Interface: We aimed for an intuitive and user-friendly design.
• Data Visualization: Emphasis was placed on presenting data in an insightful and easily digestible manner.
• Integration with THEMAGIC5 Platform: Ensuring a seamless experience was a priority.

Throughout the design process, we continuously refined our concepts based on user feedback, with a particular focus on enhancing usability and the clarity of data presentation.

Solutions

Swim Phase Calculator:‍

• Designed for ease of use, swimmers can input their data and receive a comprehensive performance analysis.‍
• Features: The tool calculates completion time, percentile ranking, and offers a comparative analysis with Olympic athletes. Users input their Swim Phase per 100 seconds and choose the unit (meters or yards) from a dropdown menu. They also input their target distance and select its unit. The calculator then provides the Time to Complete, percentile ranking, speed lane category (fast, medium, slow), and an option to compare results with Olympic swimmers.

Swimming Time Regression Analysis:

• ‍Interactivity: This tool adjusts regression lines based on user-selected criteria, providing a detailed look into swimming performance trends.‍
• Functionality: Users have three dropdown options (Gender, Distance, Stroke) and one input field (Enter Your Time). If linked from the Swim Phase Calculator, the time is auto-filled. Adjusting the dropdowns updates the regression line using a comprehensive dataset of Olympic Swimming Results from 1912 to 2020, featuring over 4300 rows.‍
• Data Engagement: Each data point represents an Olympic swimmer, and users can hover over or click on these points for specific data and historical context. This feature is powered by various APIs, which provide rich, contextual information.

Results and Reflections

Outcomes and KPIs: Since introducing our innovative tools, we have witnessed a notable surge in user engagement and a stream of positive feedback. These tools have become indispensable for swimmers at various levels, marking a significant milestone in our journey.

Key Learnings: This journey has been enlightening, underscoring the critical importance of user-centered design. It has taught me the delicate art of balancing simplicity with comprehensive functionality in tool development. Moreover, it has brought to light the immense value of cross-functional collaboration, uniting diverse teams and expertise for a common goal.

‍Future Perspectives: Looking ahead, I am excited about the potential integration of AI and ML. My goal is to leverage these advanced technologies to offer even more personalized and predictive analyses for swimmers. This next step promises to not only enhance user experience but also revolutionize the way swimmers interact with our tools, setting a new benchmark in the domain of performance analytics."

‍