Problem

SmallPets is a local pet store specializing in small pet supplies. SmallPets already has an online store on the Shopify platform. However, they want to build up recurring revenue through subscriptions. Through previous user research efforts, the results found that users respond better to subscriptions if it is through a native app.

Actions

Screen Flows

Initially, the project was scoped to screen flows for authenticated users. I started by comparing other pet store applications. Then I began by sketching out the screen flows for the application. The screen flows focused mainly on capturing subscription workflows.

Screen flows showing user journeys

Design

I had a few interactions with the interface design. First, I modeled the screens after other pet store apps(Chewy and PetSmart.) During this project phase, I realized I needed to handle guest shoppers.

Prototype

At this phase, I figured out how to show authenticated or guest states in the prototype. Also, during this phase, I redesigned the sign-in / sign-up workflows to follow best practices. As a result, by the end of the prototype phase, the app kept track of signed-in users and the cart state.

Results

The project was successful, and I learned much about the design process. In addition, I enjoyed working with my classmates and receiving feedback on my designs. Being able to receive constructive feedback is essential for UX designers. The designs we create are for users, and sometimes it takes effort to get out of the way of the design.

Lessons Learned

• I need to ensure that the project is properly scoped before starting.
• Looking for best practices can help reduce iterations during the design process.
• Breaking design elements into components can save time when making changes.
• The design is not for you; it is for the customers.