Woofstie Dog Walking App

Service


Product Design

Year

2023

Research, VIsual Design, Branding, UX/UI

Woofstie Dog Walking App

Service


Product Design

Year

2023

Research, VIsual Design, Branding, UX/UI

Details

I led the design of a dog walking app case study, overseeing the entire process from research to the final user interface. This included conducting UX research, creating wireframes, building prototypes, designing the UI, and ultimately bringing Woofstie to life.

I led the design of a dog walking app case study, overseeing the entire process from research to the final user interface. This included conducting UX research, creating wireframes, building prototypes, designing the UI, and ultimately bringing Woofstie to life.

Table of Contents

Overview & Value

Overview & Value

Overview & Value

Timeline & Role

Timeline & Role

Timeline & Role

Problems & Solutions

Problems & Solutions

Problems & Solutions

Market Research

Market Research

Market Research

User Personas

User Personas

User Personas

User Flows & Wireframes

User Flows & Wireframes

User Flows & Wireframes

Visual Exploration

Visual Exploration

Visual Exploration

Branding & Style Guides

Branding & Style Guides

Branding & Style Guides

UI Kit

UI Kit

UI Kit

UI Design

UI Design

UI Design

Prototypes

Prototypes

Prototypes

Usability & Testing

Usability & Testing

Usability & Testing

Overview

Approximately 65.1 million U.S. households, with a majority being working-class individuals, own dogs and often struggle to find fast, convenient, and accessible dog care services nearby.

Value Proposition

Woofstie is an app that connects dog owners with trusted local dog care providers, ensuring a stress-free, speedy, and secure process for peace of mind.

Timeline

Project Duration: 6 Weeks

Role's Responsabilities

Product Strategy, User & Market Research, UX/UI, Visual Design, Usability and Testing.

Product Strategy, User & Market Research, UX/UI, Visual Design, Usability and Testing.

Programs

Figma, Adobe Creative Suite

Figma, Adobe Creative Suite

Deliverables

Competitive Analysis, User Surveys, Interviews, Personas, User Flows, Wireframes, High-Fidelity Mockups, Prototypes, Usability Tests and Findings.

Competitive Analysis, User Surveys, Interviews, Personas, User Flows, Wireframes, High-Fidelity Mockups, Prototypes, Usability Tests and Findings.

Identifying Problems

  • Many apps frustrate users with lengthy registration and service search processes in today's fast-paced world.

  • Certain apps lack clarity, leading to apprehension and reluctance in their use.

  • Some apps have cluttered and unappealing UI designs.

  • Certain apps lack features that offer users a sense of confidence and security.

  • Many apps frustrate users with lengthy registration and service search processes in today's fast-paced world.

  • Certain apps lack clarity, leading to apprehension and reluctance in their use.

  • Some apps have cluttered and unappealing UI designs.

  • Certain apps lack features that offer users a sense of confidence and security.

Identifying Solutions

  • Prioritize simplicity and efficiency in registration and service search.

  • Create a user-centered design, tailored through quantitative and qualitative research with a clean and user-friendly interface.

  • Efficiently showcase relevant information for easy viewing.

  • Implement features that will give the user reassurance.

Card Sorting

As part of the research process, after conducting surveys and identifying problems and solutions, I conducted a card-sorting exercise to understand how people group information, which helped me begin building the structure.

Card Sorting

As part of the research process, after conducting surveys and identifying problems and solutions, I conducted a card-sorting exercise to understand how people group information, which helped me begin building the structure.

Market Research

I began by researching the competition to understand how similar apps address issues, particularly Rover and Wag, the most popular ones in the market. Several user survey responses quantified customer needs, and one-on-one interviews helped uncover specific app-related challenges from both a dog owner and dog walker perspective.

I began by researching the competition to understand how similar apps address issues, particularly Rover and Wag, the most popular ones in the market. Several user survey responses quantified customer needs, and one-on-one interviews helped uncover specific app-related challenges from both a dog owner and dog walker perspective.

Rover Vs. Wag

In a survey of over 100 dog owners who use dog-walking apps, the results revealed:


  • 75.9% preferred Rover.

  • 14.1% preferred Wag.


These findings highlight Rover's clear dominance as the leading app in 2023.


*Source: Sureveymonkey.com

Visual Comparison

The user interface of both apps was also surveyed. While users appreciated the overall aesthetic, they found the apps too similar and hard to distinguish. They also noted a lack of personalization and suggested a more refined design.

Approaching User-Centered Design

While it may seem that everyone is interested in saving money and time, user research revealed diverse motivations. Creating personas clarified these differences, serving as vital reference points during feature development.

User Personas

I primarily focused on two personas, each highlighting essential functions: utilizing the app's browsing, searching, and filtering for exploration and creating personalized features for user control and customization.

Dog Owner Perspective

  • Users have conveyed satisfaction with the apps, although a significant proportion have also expressed frustration with searching and scheduling processes and functionalities.

  • Users discovered that certain apps look cluttered and feature functionalities that are confusing and unnecessary.

  • Concerns varied, from not understanding what's paid for to a desire for better optimization.

Dog Walker/Sitter Perspective

  • Users find it difficult to personalize their rates.

  • Users have had many issues with some apps not showing accurate times of service provided.

  • Users have also discovered that certain apps look cluttered and confusing.

  • Users have expressed concerns about certain apps lacking an effective messaging platform.

Rover Vs. Wag

In a survey of over 100 dog owners who use these apps, the results revealed:


  • 75.9% preferred Rover.

  • 14.1% preferred Wag.


These findings highlight Rover's clear dominance as the leading app in 2023.


*Source: Sureveymonkey.com

Visual Comparison

The user interface of both apps was also surveyed. While users appreciated the simple overall aesthetic, they found the apps too similar in appearance and hard to set apart. They also noted a lack of personalization and suggested a more refined interface.

Approaching User-Centered Design

While everyone may seem interested in saving time, user research revealed diverse motivations. Creating personas clarified these differences, serving as vital reference points during feature development.

User Personas

I primarily focused on two personas, each highlighting essential functions: utilizing the app's browsing, searching, and filtering for exploration and creating personalized features for user control and customization.

User Flows

In order to create an app that serves both dog owners and dog sitters/walkers, I meticulously crafted t user flows to offer a seamless and intuitive navigation experience.

In order to create an app that serves both dog owners and dog sitters/walkers, I meticulously crafted t user flows to offer a seamless and intuitive navigation experience.

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

After completing my initial sketches, the process of translating them into low-fidelity wireframes not only aided in establishing a more organized and coherent structure but also enabled me to define a comprehensive flow.

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

After completing my initial sketches, the process of translating them into low-fidelity wireframes not only aided in establishing a more organized and coherent structure but also enabled me to define a comprehensive flow.

Visual Exploration / Mood Board

Woofstie’s tone of voice centers on dog lovers, celebrating the joy and energy dogs bring. Vibrant colors, lively visuals, and cheerful imagery create a sense of trust and highlight happy, healthy dogs. This vision is captured in a moldboard that helped establish the overall look and feel of the app.

Woofstie’s tone of voice centers on dog lovers, celebrating the joy and energy dogs bring. Vibrant colors, lively visuals, and cheerful imagery create a sense of trust and highlight happy, healthy dogs. This vision is captured in a moldboard that helped establish the overall look and feel of the app.

Branding and Style Guides

The branding exudes a welcoming and comforting personality, characterized by vibrant colors harmoniously intertwined with a sleek and user-friendly interface, all with the goal of captivating the eye.

The branding exudes a welcoming and comforting personality, characterized by vibrant colors harmoniously intertwined with a sleek and user-friendly interface, all with the goal of captivating the eye.

Onboarding

The main home screen features include:

  • Simple sign-up using an existing email or your Apple, Google, or Meta account.

  • Email verification required for enhanced security.

  • Seamless registration process tailored specifically for both dog owners and walkers.

  • Effortless personalization to suit individual preferences.

  • Upcoming Bookings and Status Display.

  • Offers and Added Value Content Display.

Search and Scheduling Features

  • Precise Filtering

  • Easy and Quick Date/Time Selections

  • One-time or Multiple Time Selections

  • Walker's Key Details

  • Comprehensive Distance Display

  • Enhanced Favorite Feature

  • Reviews Section

Messaging and Booking Management Features

Instant Messaging

  • Enhanced Favorite Features

  • Accessible Booking Info

  • Live Location Tracking

UI Kit / Design Systems

Developing a UI Kit and design system once a unified visual style is established is crucial for maintaining consistency across digital platforms. This approach offers a collection of reusable elements and guidelines that reflect the brand's identity, simplifying the design process and improving the user experience.

Developing a UI Kit and design system once a unified visual style is established is crucial for maintaining consistency across digital platforms. This approach offers a collection of reusable elements and guidelines that reflect the brand's identity, simplifying the design process and improving the user experience.

UI Design - High-Fidelity Mockups

Detailed mockups are crucial for presenting a precise visual depiction of the final product. They guarantee uniformity, cohesion, and ease of use across all screens.

High-Fidelity Prototypes

Onboarding

The main home screen features include:

  • Simple sign-up using an existing email or your Apple, Google, or Meta account.

  • Email verification required for enhanced security.

  • Seamless registration process tailored specifically for both dog owners and walkers.

  • Effortless personalization to suit individual preferences.

  • Upcoming Bookings and Status Display.

  • Offers and Added Value Content Display.

Search and Scheduling Features

  • Precise Filtering

  • Easy and Quick Date/Time Selections

  • One-time or Multiple Time Selections

  • Walker's Key Details

  • Comprehensive Distance Display

  • Enhanced Favorite Feature

  • Reviews Section

Messaging and Booking Management Features

  • Instant Messaging

  • Enhanced Favorite Features

  • Accessible Booking Info

  • Live Location Tracking

Usability & Testing

During this process, I collected important insights to solve problems and enhance the user experience, resulting in a more user-friendly interface. The following improvements were made:

  • Improved visibility of key elements like call-to-action buttons and font size for better readability and user interaction.

  • Streamlined the dog walker and sitter search process, ensuring accurate availability info before booking.

  • Simplified registration into a single scrollable screen, eliminating navigation hassles.

  • Added a home screen feature to display upcoming service bookings as reminders and for live tracking.

  • Integrated incentives and concise, valuable content to keep users informed and engaged without overwhelming the app

During this process, I collected important insights to solve problems and enhance the user experience, resulting in a more user-friendly interface. The following improvements were made:

  • Improved visibility of key elements like call-to-action buttons and font size for better readability and user interaction.

  • Streamlined the dog walker and sitter search process, ensuring accurate availability info before booking.

  • Simplified registration into a single scrollable screen, eliminating navigation hassles.

  • Added a home screen feature to display upcoming service bookings as reminders and for live tracking.

  • Integrated incentives and concise, valuable content to keep users informed and engaged without overwhelming the app

Takeaways

It all boils down to understanding the user's needs and their interaction with the product, which is always an evolving process. Also, striking the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality is key in designing and developing a successful product.

It all boils down to understanding the user's needs and their interaction with the product, which is always an evolving process. Also, striking the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality is key in designing and developing a successful product.

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