'Upband' by Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong: Innovation in Fitness App Design

Upband

Fitness App Design for Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong

Upband is an innovative smartwatch fitness app. By connecting a smartwatch to the app, Upband tracks arm and hand movements, translating them into real time musical notes. This integration of motion tracking technology and music generation makes every workout an engaging and joyful experience. The app's social feature encourages users to form bands, enhancing social engagement and motivation as each user's movements contribute to a collective musical creation. Designed to be portable and easy to use, Upband is always ready to turn movements into music, whether at the gym or at home.

Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong 2025 Partnership Bronze Press Kit № 162182

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Download Press Kit № 162182 Fitness App Design for Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong by Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Upband by Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong

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Fitness App Design by Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong

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Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong Upband

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Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong Fitness App Design

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

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Unique Properties

Upband is an innovative app that encourages users to engage in physical activity through music using motion-tracking technology. This app allows users to generate music by simply moving their arms and hands, making it ideal for individuals seeking a fun, joyful approach to exercise. Upband turns every movement into a musical note, making exercise an enjoyable and creative experience.

Production Technology

Upband was developed using advanced motion-tracking technology integrated into smartwatches, which detect arm and hand movements and translate them into musical notes. This innovative use of technology ensures a seamless user experience by combining physical activity with music creation. The design process involved extensive research and testing to ensure intuitive and engaging virtual instruments suitable for all ages and skill levels. Our methodologies focused on user interaction, personalization, and enhancing social engagement, making the app accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Design Challenge

The hardest part of the design activity was integrating seamless motion-tracking with real-time music creation. Overcoming technical limitations of existing smartwatches and ensuring low latency were significant obstacles. Additionally, making the app intuitive for users of all ages and musical backgrounds required extensive user testing and iterations. Socially, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility were crucial, while externally, adapting to rapid advancements in wearable technology and compliance with data privacy laws were key challenges.

Project Duration

The project started in January 2023 and concluded in December 2023 in San Francisco.

Operation Flow

Upband operates by connecting your smartwatch to the app, which tracks your arm and hand movements. Users start by selecting a virtual instrument and following simple prompts. As you move, the app translates your movements into musical notes, creating music in real-time. The intuitive interface guides users through the process, making it easy and fun. The social feature allows users to form bands and collaborate, enhancing the enjoyment and motivation to stay active. This seamless integration of movement and music makes exercise engaging and effective.

Research

Type of Research: Applied Research Research Objectives: To explore how music can enhance physical activity and improve user engagement in fitness routines. Methodology: Qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys, interviews, and usability testing. Data Collection and Research Tools Used: Online surveys, focus groups, motion-tracking technology, and app usage analytics. Participants or Experiments: 50+ participants, including fitness enthusiasts and music lovers, were involved in testing. Results: Participants reported increased motivation to exercise and greater enjoyment of physical activity when using Upband. Insights and Impacts: The research demonstrated that integrating music with exercise through motion tracking significantly enhances user engagement and satisfaction. Effect of the Research in Real-Life Phenomena: This research influenced the design of Upband, contributing to its user-friendly interface and effective engagement strategies. It highlighted the potential for music-driven fitness solutions to positively impact health and wellness, promoting a more active lifestyle in society.

Inspiration

The inspiration for Upband emerged from the intersection of two distinct yet complementary worlds: music and physical activity. Observing the global challenges related to sedentary lifestyles and the growing need for engaging ways to motivate people to exercise, we saw an opportunity to create something unique. Music has always been a universal language, capable of uplifting spirits and bringing people together. We harnessed music's power to make physical activity more enjoyable and accessible.

Image Credits

Image #1: Designer Hui Jing, 2023. Image #2: Designer Jinda Zhong, 2023. Image #3: Designer Hui Jing, 2023. Image #4: Designer Jinda Zhong, 2023. Image #5: Designer Hui Jing, 2023. Video Credits: Designer Hui Jing, 2023.

Project Overview

Upband Fitness App Design has been a Bronze winner in the Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Hui Jing and Jinda Zhong was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Upband Fitness App Design.

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