03. "Inspiration"

~ Inspiration Behind The Design:

As I embarked on this design project, I drew inspiration from the tactile, intuitive interfaces of everyday devices - car buttons, household appliances, and industrial control panels. I sought to capture the essence of these familiar, user-friendly designs and translate them into a digital experience.

~ Daily Use Devices:

I also drew inspiration from the user-friendly interfaces of household appliances and gadgets. Think about it - a microwave, light fixtures, or even a favorite video game controller. They all use simple, raised elements and subtle lighting to communicate what's going on. I incorporated these principles into my Neumorphic design to make it easy to use and understand.

04. "Research Phase"

04.1. User Research - Methodology:

~ User Insights:

To truly grasp the needs and preferences of our target audience, I conducted extensive user research. This involved employing various methodologies to gather insights into their shopping behaviors, preferences, pain points, and aspirations.

~ Methodology:

Surveys: A survey of 5 recent clothing purchasers (within the last 1 1/2 months) was conducted online, gathering quantitative data on their shopping habits and preferences. The findings provide valuable insights into the target audience's behavior and needs.

Interviews: I conducted in-depth online and onsite interviews with each of the 5 participants to gain deeper insights into their motivations, needs, and frustrations. These conversations provided rich qualitative data that helped enrich my understanding of user behaviors and preferences.

Usability Tests: Participants were asked to complete a series of tasks on a prototype app, simulating real-life shopping scenarios. The tests were conducted in a controlled environment, with participants thinking aloud and sharing their thoughts and feelings as they interacted with the platform.

Key tasks included:

•  Searching for and finding specific products

• Browsing and filtering product categories

• Reading product descriptions and reviews

•  Making a purchase and checking out

The tests aimed to identify areas of friction, confusion, and frustration, as well as gather feedback on the overall user experience.

04.2. User Research - Data Collection & Insights:

~ Key Findings:

The culmination of my user research efforts yielded a wealth of insights that served as the foundation of my design decisions. Some key findings include: 

Desire for Personalisation: Users expressed a strong desire for personalized recommendations tailored to their individual style preferences and past purchase history.

>  85% of respondents want personalized product recommendations 

>  80% want personalized content and offers

>  75% want personalized styling advice

Interest in AR Technology: Many users showed interest in augmented reality (AR) technology for virtual try-on experiences. They expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of trying on clothing virtually within the app, allowing them to visualize how items would look before making a purchase.

 >  70% of respondents are interested in using AR to try on virtual clothing

Need for Seamless Navigation: Navigating through mobile shopping apps was often described as cumbersome and frustrating. Users highlighted the importance of intuitive navigation paths and streamlined browsing experiences.

 >  90% of respondents want easy navigation and search functionality 

>  85% want quick and easy checkout processes

>  80% want intuitive and user-friendly interfaces

Importance of Visual Appeal: Visual elements such as high-quality product images, user-friendly interface designs,

and visually appealing layouts were identified as key factors influencing user engagement and satisfaction.

>  95% of respondents consider visual appeal important when shopping online

>  90% want high-quality product images

~ Utilizing Insights:

Armed with these invaluable insights, I was able to develop a deep understanding of our users' needs, preferences, and pain points. This user-centric approach informed every aspect of my design and development process, ensuring that the Haute mobile shopping app is truly tailored to meet the needs and expectations of our discerning users.

05. "Design Phase"

05.1. Mobile site map: Enhancing User Experience:

Developed a mobile site map outlining the hierarchical structure of the app, ensuring easy navigation and access to key sections such as Product pages, Bag, Favourites, AR, and Visual search and Checkout pages.

Home Screen: 

• The home screen serves as the central hub, welcoming users and showcasing the latest collections and promotions. 

• Quick links to popular categories, such as Women's Wear, Men's Wear, Unisex, and Kids, allow users to explore the app's offerings with ease

Product Categories:

• Each product category is organized into subcategories, allowing users to browse clothing items based on their preferences and interests.

• Filter and sorting options enable users to refine their search results by criteria such as size, color, and price range.

Product Details:

• Product pages provide detailed information about each clothing item, including descriptions, specifications, pricing, and available sizes.

• High-quality images and zoom functionality allow users to examine products closely and make informed purchasing decisions.

Bag:

• The bag feature allows users to add items to their cart and review their selections before proceeding to checkout.

• Users can easily modify quantities, remove items, and apply promotional codes or discounts as needed.

Favourite:

• The favorite feature allows users to save their items for future reference or purchase.

• Users can easily add or remove items from their favorites and share their selections with friends or family members.

AR and Visual Scan Integration:

• The app seamlessly integrates AR and visual scan features, allowing users to visualize clothing items in real-world environments and scan real-world clothes and pictures for product information.

Live Stream:

• Users can engage with the live stream content in real-time, interact with hosts, and shop featured products seamlessly.

Blog Page:

• The blog page features curated articles, fashion tips, and style guides from industry experts and influencers.

• Users can explore a variety of topics related to fashion, trends, and lifestyle while browsing the app.

05.2. User Flow:

Created a user flow to visualize the steps users would take to accomplish key tasks within the app, such as browsing products, adding items to the cart, and completing a purchase. The user flow helped identify potential bottlenecks and streamline the user experience.

05.4. Refined Insights: Updated Affinity Map Analysis:

After testing my initial lo-fi prototype, I updated my affinity map to refine my understanding of user needs. The revised map reveals new themes and patterns, confirming some design assumptions while highlighting areas for improvement. Users praised simplified navigation and the prominent search bar but struggled with the hamburger menu and icon placement. This updated map guides my next design iteration, ensuring a more user-centered solution.

05.7. Visual Design:

When crafting the visual design for this project, I paid close attention to every detail to create a cohesive and engaging user experience. I selected a harmonious color palette with vibrant hues and subtle accents to reflect the brand's personality and appeal to the target audience. I chose bold typography to enhance readability and convey hierarchy, making sure key messages stand out and guide users through the interface with clarity. I designed intuitive and visually appealing UI elements, including buttons, icons, and illustrations, to enhance usability. I also carefully curated imagery to evoke emotion and create a memorable impression, reinforcing the brand's identity and storytelling.

05.8. Hi-Fi Prototype Designs:

Creating the hi-fi prototypes was a crucial step in bringing the brand's vision to life. Building on the insights gathered from user research and the lo-fi prototypes, I refined the design concepts to create a sophisticated and high-end user experience. The hi-fi prototypes allowed me to perfect the layout, typography, and visual elements, ensuring a cohesive and premium feel. By incorporating interactive elements and functionality, I was able to test and validate my design decisions. Through this process, I learned the importance of attention to detail and the impact of subtle design elements on the overall user experience. The hi-fi prototypes were a significant improvement from the lo-fi stage, with a more refined color palette, elegant typography, and precise spacing, all of which contributed to a more luxurious and engaging experience for the users.