UniFinds
UniFinds is a mobile application designed to enhance the student experience by providing a dedicated platform for buying, selling, and discovering items within the university community. The app fosters a sense of community, sustainability, and convenience for students looking to exchange goods and find resources on campus.
The Journey
01
03
Empathize
Ideate
02
Define
05
Test
04
Prototype
Empathize: The Inspiration
The goal of this project is to develop a safe and student friendly digital solution for the sale or giveaway of items they no longer need.
With a focus on
- geographical proximity
- student status verification
this app aims to provide a platform for secure and assured trades.
Competitive Analysis
The analysis uncovered key issues of the competitors, which were addressed in UniFinds. User research further proved the significance of these concerns, along with other additions which would create a smooth and effective experience on the app.
Define: Workflows
Defining major functionality and observing user journeys are the next steps. Based on my findings, these user statements were formulated, hoping to encompass all the intended functions of the app itself.
01
As a buyer, I want to be able to easily find all the available options for an item I’m looking for, so that I know I’m making the right decision and buying the best available option.
02
As a seller, I want to be able to establish a location and time for the pick up of the item from a buyer, so that coordination is easy and the transaction takes place without much of a hassle.
03
As a new user, I would like to see reviews or ratings of buyers and sellers so that I can have a trustworthy and smooth transaction in either the process of buying or selling items on the app.
Ideate
The layout and design elements of the app were inspired from common ecommerce platforms. The significance of familiarity is proved especially for online shopping - a process which needs to grab the attention of the user in terms of functionality and layout. Platforms such as Amazon and Depop were beneficial in understanding the details to display for items to buy/sell.
As a Buyer
As a Seller
As a User
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Feature list of items on sale in terms of tags (ex. #lamp)
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Reviews and ratings of sellers
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To pick a time slot for pick-up of items
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Favorite items of interest
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Add tags for better marketing and reach (mandatory)
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Provide convenient timeslots
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Provide location/ pick-up instructions (left outside door/ pickup at a specific location in the vicinity)
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Enable private messages (not mandatory)
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Verification of student status
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Profile section with listings and favorites
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Can DM sellers if they have enabled that option only
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Inability to buy/ sell if they back out of a sale (as reported by the other party)
Major user flows were defined based on these expectations and aspects as features on UniFinds.
Sketches
My sketches were inspired from popular ecommerce apps, but simplified. The interface is intended to be clean and direct, focused on the major functions Buy and Sell.
Patterns observed during user research unveiled certain expectations in terms of details required from both the buyer and seller roles. For instance - Pickup Time slot booking that is set by the seller
Prototype
Homepage
Buyer's Page
Checkout
Profile Page
Test
Black Hat Session
This session was conducted with fellow UX designers in a classroom setting. Three peers reviewed my initial design and provided constructive criticism.
​Usability Testing
Usability testing was conducted with three acquainted participants - Students from Arizona, Georgia and India. Three main user flows were tested via user tasks. Observations were recorded in the form of notes and zoom recordings.
Testing Results
The inclusion of filters can ease the process of searching for items, as a buyer. Sellers are required to include filters in their listing for hits on their item.
Another concern involved nomenclature where buyers seem to commit to buying an item before finalizing details such as pick-up location and time, along with an option to message sellers.
The change of language in the button from ‘Proceed to Buy’ to ‘Next’ indicates the next page. This can also be achieved via scroll, which eliminates the need of the first button.
Learnings & Future Direction
In summary, the insights gathered from user testing have been instrumental in refining the app. As for future direction, these learnings will be at the forefront of the development efforts, ensuring the app not only meets but exceeds the expectations of any student community. The journey ahead promises innovation and user-centric design, that will shape an app that becomes an indispensable tool for seamless buying and selling experiences among students.