Defining the Problem

Research Interviews

With the initial inquiries in mind, I formulated questions for prospective users aiming to gather a blend of insights. I then conducted ten individual interviews with dog owners.

User Persona

Using the insights gathered from the user research, I then created a User Persona.

User Flows

Analysing the research, a clear theme emerged: the primary concern among dog owners is establishing trust in the dog walker.

Additionally, the owners highlighted the importance of building a long-term relationship between themselves, their dog, and the walker. Many stressed the value of sticking with the same walker or sitter consistently.

Given these insights, I decided to shape my user flow around establishing connections over booking a service. Drawing inspiration from dating apps like Tinder, I shifted the focus of the user flow around finding the right individual who can become an integral part of the dog's life.

Wire Frames

After getting the user flow concept, I started drawing basic wireframes. I also looked into what competitors were doing and experimented with different layout variations.

Brand Asthetics

TRUSTWORTHY / MEANINGFUL / SOCIAL / FUN

High Fidelity Designs

Prototyping

My next step was to dive into prototyping, with a specific focus on refining user flows to prepare for upcoming usability testing sessions.

On boarding:

Finding a Match and Booking a Service:

Usability Testing

Following this, I carried out a usability test involving three participants. During these sessions, several common themes emerged where users experienced either a slowdown in their interactions or confusion. Below, I outline some of the key points that were raised during the testing, along with the iterations and changes implemented in response to the feedback.

Conclusion

The goal was to create a dog-owner-to-dog-walker connection service. User research revealed that trust and consistency are paramount to dog owners. Furthermore, the research emphasized the significance of nurturing enduring relationships among dog owners, their pets, and their chosen walkers.

To address this challenge, the app takes inspiration from dating apps, prioritizing meaningful connections between dog owners and sitters. Once a match is found, users can book services with their chosen sitter. Through its innovative approach, the app intends to create a platform where dog owners can find not just a service provider, but a trusted and long-term companion for their dogs.

After user testing, navigation issues were identified and resolved through iterations. The next steps include finalizing all pages, preparing red lines for developers, launching the app, and conducting a post-launch evaluation.