Competitive Analysis
Instagram: Visually engaging for discovery but lacks integrated planning or coordination tools.
AmiGO: Offers local recommendations with basic planning features but an inconsistent interface hampers coordination.
Yelp: Detailed reviews and business info, but planning tools like bookmarks and reservations are clunky and poorly integrated.
Competitive Analysis
Bridging the gap in planning solutions amid fragmented apps
Instagram: Visually engaging for discovery but lacks integrated planning or coordination tools.
AmiGO: Offers local recommendations with basic planning features but an inconsistent interface hampers coordination.
Yelp: Detailed reviews and business info, but planning tools like bookmarks and reservations are clunky and poorly integrated.
Instagram: Visually engaging for discovery but lacks integrated planning or coordination tools.
AmiGO: Offers local recommendations with basic planning features but an inconsistent interface hampers coordination.
Yelp: Detailed reviews and business info, but planning tools like bookmarks and reservations are clunky and poorly integrated.
85%
Of users frequently share event/activity recommendations with friends.
Of users frequently share event/activity recommendations with friends.
78%
Of users say that the biggest challenge in organising plans with friends is reaching a consensus on the plan.
Of users say that the biggest challenge in organising plans with friends is reaching a consensus on the plan.
68%
Of users say that reminders and prompt updates would be beneficial when planning.
Of users say that reminders and prompt updates would be beneficial when planning.
Opportunity for NicheFinds: Combine discovery, planning, and coordination in one seamless platform for a smarter, more connected user experience.
Opportunity for NicheFinds: Combine discovery, planning, and coordination in one seamless platform for a smarter, more connected user experience.
Research & Analysis:
To confirm the opportunity coming out of competitive research, conducted five user interviews and surveys to identify the gaps in existing platforms and understand user pain points, confirming the need for a streamlined app for discovery and social planning.
User Persona:
Coming out of research, I uncovered that Sam's Spaw's user persona is a devoted pet owner who calls her dogs "fur babies" and deeply prioritizes their care and well-being. She seeks high-quality grooming services and values trust, quality, and convenience. Additionally, she enjoys social walks with friends and their dogs, reflecting her active and community-oriented lifestyle.
Highlighted the frustrations encountered throughout the user's journey, with a focus on the challenges during the planning phase and aligning everyone involved.
User Journey Map
Highlighted the frustrations encountered throughout the user's journey, with a focus on the challenges during the planning phase and aligning with everyone involved.
Highlighted the frustrations encountered throughout the user's journey, with a focus on the challenges during the planning phase and aligning everyone involved.
Opportunity to streamline planning with features like shared calendars, group polls for availability, and built-in payment solutions to reduce friction and enhance the collaborative experience.
Goals & Prioritiztion:
After synthesizing the research into affinity maps, customer journeys and personas, I dove into the user and business goals to develop the feature roadmap. Prioritizing planning and coordinating features including group polls, in-app messaging, and event profiles.
Sitemaps & User Flows:
Developed iterations of the site map and user flows, focusing on the MVP: simplifying friend coordination. The main task flow showcases our user, Jenna, going through the coordination process of booking and paying for an event with her friends. There are 3 paths, happy, alternative and error.
Wireframing & Prototyping:
Designed low-fidelity wireframes to visualize the key features and flow of the coordinating process. Mocking up several iterations of designs to test.
Introduced interactive polls within group chats, enabling real-time voting on niche items and decisions for efficient collaboration.
Introduced interactive polls within group chats, enabling real-time voting on niche items and decisions for efficient collaboration.
For ease of navigation and coordinating, introduce a chatbot to keep the planning going.
For ease of navigation and coordinating, introduce a chatbot to keep the planning going.
Simplified actions by aggregating links, enabling one-tap checkouts, and using AI-generated summaries to help groups move smoothly from decision to action.
Simplified actions by aggregating links, enabling one-tap checkouts, and using AI-generated summaries to help groups move smoothly from decision to action.
Usability Testing:
Testing highlighted the need for clearer CTAs and navigation, guiding design adjustments and emphasizing full feature conceptualization for future iterations.
Changes streamlined navigation, boosted feedback, and simplified the experience to eliminate confusion and overload.
Visual Design/Branding:
Through an iterative exploration, achieved a sleek, niche-focused identity. Experimenting with logos and colour palettes.
“I think the branding really aligns with the app being a place to explore fun/creative things to do and connect with your friends.”
“I think the branding really aligns with the app being a place to explore fun/creative things to do and connect with your friends.”
The UI Kit for NicheFinds featuring multiple states for key components, including voting cards (vote, edit, saved), invitation cards, profile images, and messaging states. This library was iterated on throughout the design process and informed by usability testing to ensure consistency and usability.
