Introduction
BizCom is a single app that seamlessly integrates chat, SMS, call, email, documents, and to-dos. In this project, I designed the UI of the app for iOS and Android platforms and planned how to give a user experience which is simplified and uniform across other social media platforms. Inspired by Hubspot, Google Inbox, social media messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, iMessage, and others, I created an integrated dashboard and chat window which shows updates from all the media on a single page.
The app is unique in the way its notification system works. I have divided the notifications by color - green implies call, red implies SMS, orange implies chat, navy implies email, and light blue implies to-do. In case the user receives notifications from more than one platform, the color changes to purple.
Using BizCom, companies can handle all their communication from a single platform. The modern look and feel of the app make it easier for users to learn and use the app. Document and contact management systems have a centralized controlling system. Features like task management system are also integrated with the app.
The app is unique in the way its notification system works. I have divided the notifications by color - green implies call, red implies SMS, orange implies chat, navy implies email, and light blue implies to-do. In case the user receives notifications from more than one platform, the color changes to purple.
Using BizCom, companies can handle all their communication from a single platform. The modern look and feel of the app make it easier for users to learn and use the app. Document and contact management systems have a centralized controlling system. Features like task management system are also integrated with the app.
To simplify the process of software training, I also designed an interactive user manual for BizCom. This guide functions just like an app, with guides and help menu, to help the user easily understand how to use BizCom. The use of buttons, hyperlinks, and bookmarks in a PDF makes this guide interactive and easy to use.
App Links
Logo Design
I wanted to bring life to office communication. So, in addition to designing a business communication app, BizCom, I created a mascot to represent BizCom - Chatty. This fun-loving character adds interactivity to the design. Chatty’s briefcase is the app icon for BizCom. I use these two characters to create a visual narrative throughout the user interaction of BizCom.
The most innovative aspect of my design of Chatty is that his body is made up of the letters “B, I, Z, C, O, M.” As shown in the picture, the shades make up “B,” tie makes up “I,” nose makes up “Z,” hands make up “C,” head makes up “O,” and the legs (inverted) make up “M.” Since BizCom contains the communication platforms of chat, email, call, and SMS, all these are also a part of Chatty’s body. The face is the chat icon, each hand is the call icon, legs (inverted) is the email icon, and each foot is the SMS icon.
Chatty is composed of all the communication media - chat, email, SMS, and call. And, just as Chatty is made of the letters of BizCom, his briefcase is made of the elements of Chatty. Chatty’s feet make up the face of the briefcase, and his hands make up the briefcase’s handle. The splash page of BizCom app shows an animation of the briefcase (the app icon) opening up to reveal Chatty, symbolizing the creative outlook in office communication.
The most innovative aspect of my design of Chatty is that his body is made up of the letters “B, I, Z, C, O, M.” As shown in the picture, the shades make up “B,” tie makes up “I,” nose makes up “Z,” hands make up “C,” head makes up “O,” and the legs (inverted) make up “M.” Since BizCom contains the communication platforms of chat, email, call, and SMS, all these are also a part of Chatty’s body. The face is the chat icon, each hand is the call icon, legs (inverted) is the email icon, and each foot is the SMS icon.
Chatty is composed of all the communication media - chat, email, SMS, and call. And, just as Chatty is made of the letters of BizCom, his briefcase is made of the elements of Chatty. Chatty’s feet make up the face of the briefcase, and his hands make up the briefcase’s handle. The splash page of BizCom app shows an animation of the briefcase (the app icon) opening up to reveal Chatty, symbolizing the creative outlook in office communication.
Process
In 2016, my team and I did market analysis and found that there was a disconnect in business communication. Businesses in India did not prefer using social media messaging platforms like WhatsApp in office premises. And platforms like Slack allowed open access to all the files outside the office. We found that there was a disjoint in the trust between the employee and employer, and the companies were concerned about the data breach. So, they wanted control over office communication. We understood the need and planned the development of an internal communication app for businesses.
Tools used: CorelDRAW, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Comp CC
