Project Overview
Brief:
Nekopaw is a comprehensive mobile application designed to cater to the needs of cat owners and potential cat owners. Its personalized features, including customizable homepages and feeding schedule recommendations based on individual cat information, make it easier for users to manage their cat-related tasks. The app also provides professional information on cat care, behavior, and knowledge, aimed at educating cat owners and helping them better understand their feline companions. For potential cat owners, Nekopaw is an excellent resource to learn about cats before adopting one, reducing the likelihood of frustration or misunderstandings. Nekopaw fosters a sense of community among cat owners and potential cat owners, where they can exchange information, share experiences, solve problems, and make friends. Additionally, the app offers a platform for users to keep track of their cat’s information, including medical records, feeding schedules, and reminders for appointments and grooming. With Nekopaw, cat owners have access to all the necessary information and tools they need to take care of their cats conveniently in one place.
Hunt Statment
As the UI designer for Nekopaw, my goal is to create an intuitive and engaging mobile app that meets the unique needs of cat owners and potential cat owners. Through user research, surveys, and interviews, I aim to understand the challenges cat owners face and design a solution that simplifies cat care while fostering a supportive community. I strive to enhance the user experience beyond existing apps by integrating advanced features, ensuring accessibility, and connecting cat enthusiasts to transform how they care for and interact with their feline companions.
User Research and Field Study
To gain a deep understanding of our target users for Nekopaw, we conducted extensive user research and field studies. Our approach involved both quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure comprehensive insights. For user research, we conduct surveys and interviews with more than 24 participants. For the field study, we visited more than 6 locations, including a cat cafe in Redmond and pet stores like Petco, Petsmart, Mudbay, and Seattle humane. For competitor and cooperative analysis, we did in-depth research on 6 different companies on the market. For the research data analysis, we used the PACT framework to help us (people, activities, context, technology) narrow down our target users, which are cat owners, and cat lovers (potential cat owners). We were also able to gather many useful suggestions and insights to help us to better design the app for the following prototype stage.
Online Survey
We conducted an online survey with over 15 participants, specifically targeting individuals who own cats or are interested in becoming cat owners. The survey included a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions to gather a wide range of data.
Interview
In addition to the surveys, we interviewed 9 participants, either in person or remotely, to gain more in-depth insights into their needs and preferences. These interviews helped us understand their pain points and gather valuable feedback on our design ideas.
Field Study
We visited over 6 locations, including a cat café in Redmond, and pet stores such as Petco, Petsmart, Mudbay, and Seattle Humane. These visits allowed us to observe cat owners and potential cat owners in real-world environments, further enriching our understanding.
Competitor Analysis
By using SWOT analyze method, we conducted in-depth research on 6 different companies in the market to analyze both competitors and potential collaborators. This analysis helped us identify gaps and opportunities in the current offerings.
Data Analysis
We used the PACT framework (People, Activities, Context, Technology) to analyze the research data, focusing on cat owners and cat lovers (potential cat owners). This structured approach provided valuable insights and suggestions that guided the app's design for the prototype stage.
Stakeholder
Based on our formative user research data, we created two personas to study our users and understand their needs. By interpreting data from surveys and interviews, we developed these personas and crafted various scenarios around them. These personas represent two major user groups: Zoya, a current cat owner, and Ginger, a potential cat owner. Both personas desire a convenient platform to help them gather information and organize resources about cats.
Ideation
We began by studying recent market trends and brainstorming application ideas, drawing inspiration from design case studies, business plans, and branding cases, which we compiled into a moodboard. Through interviews and surveys, we identified key features to enhance user experience: a community feature for sharing cat-related tips and tricks, a learning feature for cat knowledge, a leaderboard for discovering desirable foods and toys, records for tracking clinic visits and schedules, and personalized feeding instructions and health records. These features aim to provide valuable resources and foster a sense of community.
Storyboard
Using the results from our formative research, we created personas for both cat owners and adopters, along with user storyboards on emergency services, recommendations, and learning about cat behaviors. We also developed a user journey map for each stakeholder to understand their thoughts, actions, feelings, pain points, and opportunities, enhancing the app's efficiency. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the product's structure and user interactions, we also developed a sitemap and user flow.
User Flow &
Site Map
we developed a sitemap and user flow to gain a comprehensive understanding of the product's structure and user interactions. These tools allowed us to visualize the entire user journey, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience for cat owners and potential cat adopters.
Branding
Style Guide
I led the development of our branding, which includes our color schemes, brand name, font, logo, and brand message. We chose shades of taupe, combining browns and grays, to evoke warmth and tranquility, mirroring the cozy and fluffy nature of cats.
Our brand message, "All About Cats," emphasizes our commitment to providing cat owners and potential cat owners with the best experience and resources. I also created a cute Calico cat mascot in various forms, adding a playful and engaging element to our brand. This mascot embodies our mission to enhance the joy and fulfillment of having a feline companion.
Wireframe
We created low-fi wireframes to outline the basic layout and design of the Nekopaw product. This allowed us to visualize the placement of key elements and interactions before moving on to higher-fidelity prototypes. The wireframes primarily focused on three main features: adoption, vet services, and community engagement.
Prototype
We created low-fi wireframes to outline the basic layout and design of the Nekopaw product. This allowed us to visualize the placement of key elements and interactions before moving on to higher-fidelity prototypes. The wireframes primarily focused on three main features: adoption, vet services, and community engagement.
Usability Test
In a departure from our usual approach, my team and I conducted a usability test for our v1 prototype on Figma during our capstone exhibition at the University of Washington Bothell campus on June 6, 2023. This event provided an opportunity for a diverse group of participants, including our cohorts, faculty, students interested in our majors, and various outsiders such as family members of cohorts. This expanded pool of users allowed us to gather extensive feedback and identify numerous bugs that required immediate attention and fixing. We were able to engaged in in-depth conversations and received overwhelming appreciation for our project. The valuable insights gained from the exhibition will serve as a solid foundation for refining and enhancing our product to meet user expectations and ensure a seamless experience.
Product Video
To complete the brand image for the Nekopaw project, we created 2 product videos with After Effect that solidifies and enhances the concept's attractiveness. This video introduces the app's message and key features to first-time users, making it more engaging and accessible. By showcasing the app's functionality and benefits, the video effectively communicates our vision of revolutionizing cat care, ensuring that new users understand and appreciate the app's value from the outset.
Reflection
Reflecting on the Nekopaw project, I am proud of what our team accomplished in revolutionizing cat care. Our comprehensive approach, from initial research to high-fi prototyping and usability testing, has laid a solid foundation for an innovative and user-friendly app. Looking ahead, I would focus on further enhancing community features and expanding the app's educational resources. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as user engagement, retention rates, and app store ratings will be tracked to measure design impact and guide future iterations.
The insights and feedback gathered, such as the need for an "Add a new cat" page during account creation, fixing non-functional buttons, diversifying the leaderboard, shortening the tutorial with a skip option, and linking the community page to user profiles, will be invaluable in refining the app. These improvements will ensure a seamless and enjoyable user experience, solidifying Nekopaw's position as a go-to resource for cat owners and enthusiasts.