Project

From the

Beyond Shop

Mobile E-Commerce App

PROJECT  From the Beyond Shop

DURATION  4 Months

ROLE  Product Designer / Researcher

PROJECT VISION

From the Beyond Shop is a shopping app for Locally Based Art Gallery servicing the LA/OC Area. For this project, we decided to use a design method revolving around on our personas, user testing and business goals. The MVP for this product was developed as a mobile based application.

CHALLENGES

  1. Provide a marketplace for locally sourced Artwork.
  2. Design an interface that allows users to like and follow artists.
  3. Create a simple and clean UI with artwork as the focus.
  4. Allow for an easy method to search and browse artwork.

KICKOFF

At the start of this project, qualitative research methods to be the most useful. Competitive Analysts. User Interviews, and Persona Creation were some of the methods used at the kickoff. Some initial key questions.

Who are our users?

What is most important to users and stakeholders?

Who are our main competitors?

What makes us different?

After an initial hypothesis, we were able to understand the thoughts on the product, our users and design problems. Adaptations were made which updated and changed the focus of some of our presumptions. — Now accounting for simple actions available to users limiting functionality up front in favor of a simpler and more direct shopping experience. 
User interviews and Affinity Diagrams helped us arrive at this understanding.

Competitive analysis

A competitive audit report was taken to compare 3 key competitors to the product. We compared the browsing and shopping cart experience of each competitor’s application.

GAPS IDENTIFIED

  • Sorting by Region
  • Follow/Like Artists AND Artwork
  • Feature Artists by Gender/Ethnic
  • Background (ex: Women of Color; LGBTQ)

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Feature location based Artwork
  • Bring in Social Media Aspect
  • Partnership with Local Galleries
  • Option for Local Pickup

PREPARING THE DESIGNS
(IDEATION ON PAPER)

While creating paper wireframes, the goal was to create a simple homepage that gives the user the ability to find the pieces they’re interested in in the method that makes the most sense to them.

Wireframes

While creating paper wireframes, the goal was to create a simple homepage that gives the user the ability to find the pieces they’re interested in in the method that makes the most sense to them.

AFFINITY DIAGRAMS

Affinity Diagrams helped in the process of identifying user needs and preferences. Surveys, questioners, and user interviews were conducted to better understand the initial direction of the application.

Our Users

After creating our low fidelity prototype, a moderated usability study was conducted. We asked several participants to run through 7 different prompts in our prototype to gather feedback to iterate and update designs. Here are a few bio’s of our participants.

Stephanie is a management consultant specializing in organizational strategy and process optimization. She excels at solving business challenges for npos .

Stephanie | Age 35 | Manager

Richard is a dynamic sales professional who builds relationships and exceeds targets. He’s charismatic, persuasive, and always up-to-date on market trends.

Richard | Age 52 | Tech Sales

Kendal is a compassionate therapist with a master’s in clinical psychology. She actively listens and helps clients navigate mental health issues.

Kendall | Age 44 | Therapist

Iteration

After creating our low fidelity prototype, a moderated usability study was conducted. We asked 4 participants to run through 7 different prompts in our prototype to gather feedback to iterate and update designs. Here are some of the findings.

Analysis

Users weren’t sure where to start

QUICK ACTIONS

Users wanted the ability to follow artists from the product page

SIMPLIFY HOMEPAGE

Users did not find filtering necessary from homepage

SHIPPING DETAILS