Leash App aims to provide a hassle-free solution for pet owners and mid-career individuals who require dependable, affable, and skilled dog walkers nearby. Our crystal clear service enables them to find their furry companion's ideal fit.

CHALLENGE

Develop a new app as an alternative for Wagg and Rover that provides increased transparency in pricing and facilitates clear communication between dog walkers and owners aiming to ensure a perfect match and provide reliable, trustworthy services.

OUTCOME

• 100% of participants would like to see this concept coming alive

• 90% successful t

  ask completion rate1

• 100% of the participants were able to find essential* features in about ~1m

ROLE

• User Researcher, Visual Design, Branding

TOOLS

• Figma, FigJam, Photoshoop, Illustrator, Chat GPT

DURATION

• 10 weeks

Research

BUSINESS GOALS

• Create an alternative for Wagg and Rover targeting professionals with busy work schedules

• Develop an easy way for the user to make an appointment but at the same time, find a way to develop a database for marketing purposes

• Start with offering dog walking but build the app in a way that could grow in other services.

USER RESEARCH

Pet owners consider their dogs part of their family and expect them to be treated the same way.

Starting from this basic knowledge and through interviews with Wag and Rover users and non-users, I delved into how dog owners manage their busy schedules while providing proper care for their pets. My objective was to identify a viable solution to overcome their challenges.

• How frequently and why do they use a service for dog walking or a friend/family

• What do they like or dislike about current services?

• What would they like or expect to see in these apps?

• What kind of information do you feel is important to share to keep your family member in good hands?

KEY INSIGHTS

• Price transparency - Dog owners find it odd to understand why some dog walkers charge so differently than others when they can't find the price breakdown

• Data privacy - Dog owners want to check the app before giving personal information upfront.

• Streamed communication - Dog owners want to have easy, fast, and centralized communication with the dog walker as soon as possible, not just after booking him.

• Make it personal - Dog owners want to feel that the dog walkers care about their pets personally, not just for another dog. They want to ensure the dog walkers understand that they care for their “kids.”

USER PERSONA

Middle-aged dog owners who work far from home often find it challenging to balance their busy schedules with providing their pets with sufficient exercise and reliable care.

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Competitors lack clarity and transparency for a user with a hectic schedule who wants to find and contact dog walkers quickly.

LeashAPP will stand out from its competitors due to its streamlined user experience, which includes easy onboarding, finding a dog walker, and transparent communication. The platform offers an intuitive UI that simplifies complex tasks and ensures a seamless process.

Ideation

Visual Identity Design and UI

Prototype Testing

USABILITY TESTING

For the first time, we got the app in the user's hand, looking for their feedback on the crucial features that we wanted for this app.

TESTING GOALS AND QUESTIONS

• How do dog owners feel, and how fast can they find a dog walker?

• Can the users easily contact the dog walkers without booking them?

• How long does it take for the dog owners to book a dog walker?

• Is the copy clear?

Insights and Learnings

DESIGN FOR YOUR USER WITHOUT BEING ONE

Initially, creating an app for dog walkers was a significant challenge due to my lack of experience as a dog owner or user of such an app. However, as I progressed through the development process, I realized the significance of empathy and the benefits of involving users in the early stages. I also learned that it's possible to create a successful product even without personal experience as a user of the app.

PRODUCT DESIGN ROLE

I have extensive experience in creating brand identities. During a 16-week course, I took on a product design role and applied a strategic framework to develop a product. This experience helped me gain valuable insights into improving user experience and enhancing brand experience. I learned how this process can be optimized.