Building a mobile furniture app with a VR feature
is an emerging online furniture store. They need a mobile app that reflects a strong brand identity and enables users to explore an extensive catalog of items.
Recognizing the importance of conducting testing before creating high-fidelity wireframes, I aimed to innovate with more success and reduce risk by outlining a checklist of set tasks and a script to facilitate a smoother testing process for participants. I gathered sufficient data by observing participants through a mockup prototype. This preliminary approach enabled me to address any issues during moderated testing by providing a comprehensive walkthrough of the app.
Categorizing Items
Users encountered difficulty locating items within Saved Collections, primarily attributed to mis-categorization. Additionally, participants expressed the desire to scroll down to explore other options and check if the desired item might be present in a different category.
Opportunities in VR
Users commonly faced challenges related to fully interacting with the VR feature and required assistance in moving objects effortlessly. The highest priority for users was achieving a seamless experience with the new feature's functions.
Iconography & Labeling
While there was positive feedback regarding the familiarity of the heart icon representing favorites or saved items, some icons appeared too ambiguous to participants, necessitating the inclusion of labels for clearer identification.
Task & User Flows
Opening the VR feature from the Home Screen was executed by the user clicking on the heart icon at the bottom menu on the Home screen and then navigating to the "Bedroom" board. However, pain points arose when the user expected to access the VR feature through the homepage or search, finding it unclear that the item was already favorited. The overall experience highlighted the need for a high-fi wireframe to enhance clarity in item identification, as the mid-fi prototype lacked visibility in text and image boxes.
Identify the user audience and gather insights into their experiences when engaging with features in furniture apps. This information will influence the approach taken in developing the feature roadmap.
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Working on this project allowed me to oversee various aspects of building a mobile product from the ground up. While effectively managing multiple aspects of the design process, I acknowledge that incorporating a Mobile Site Map of the app, rather than solely focusing on Project Goals, would have been more beneficial in streamlining the project. This approach would have provided a clearer layout for screens requiring design attention, preventing the design of non-essential screens.
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Implementing a more linear design thinking process was instrumental in building the mobile app. Research played a vital role in understanding market trends, and user expectations were gleaned through surveys, influencing the project's direction. By asking "How Might We" (HMW) questions, project goals were established with a clearer focus, ensuring alignment with a strategic Feature Roadmap. Synthesizing the data from user testing propelled the project to its final stage, readying it for shipment as an MVP.
• Being able to think about the many ways a hands-on feature like VR into the app presented a significant challenge. It required a profound understanding of how users would interact while attempting to place furniture within a simulated environment.
• Gaining insights into users' pain points during usability testing was instrumental in identifying areas requiring substantial improvements. This understanding allowed me to anticipate potential frustrations in the design phase, ensuring proactive solutions to enhance the user experience.
