GV Design Sprint, CityPups

CityPups is a (hypothetical) platform web app helping Seattle residents find the perfect rescue dog.

User Goals:

Find a dog suited for my lifestyle

My Role:

UX Designer

Inspiration:

My relentless love for dogs!

Day 1: Reviewing research and mapping a user flow helped identify features that would solve users’ problems.

After reviewing the provided interview notes and recordings, I identified the following common factors that dog owners need to know before adopting a dog:

• Temperament

• Appearance/Breed Info

• Emotional Connection

• Adoption Logistics

After better understanding what users were looking for in a dog, I sketched a basic map of website interactions that would allow the user to accomplish her goal.

Day 2: Competitive analysis and sketching helped determine the best way to translate these needs into an interface.

Based on the prompt, I assumed CityPups takes a commission of adoption fees as income. I looked at two other web apps with a platform business model, Zillow and Rover, in order to find common patterns.

I also looked at a competitor, AdoptAPet.com, to see how CityPups could differentiate itself from other players in the industry.

Zillow Uses a Modal to Help You Move Easily from House to House

Rover Lets You Do a Simple Search & Add Detailed Filters Later

AdoptAPet.com Provides Step-by-Step Adoption Instructions

After examining familiar UI patterns in similar businesses, I adjusted my map to make sure unfamiliar interactions wouldn’t block CityPups users from converting.

Armed with user research insights and familiar UI patterns, I sketched out possible ideas for how the website interface could look.

I decided to choose the third option, since this option prominently features dog videos and characteristics, both features explicitly mentioned by users during the interviews. I also included a small map view to show users how far they will need to travel to pick up the dog.

Day 3: Storyboarding helped visualize the user’s journey from a bird’s eye view.

Creating a storyboard for the CityPups website allowed me to “zoom out” and view the user’s whole journey with CityPups from Google search to meeting her dog. This way, I could create a prototype that makes sense in the context of her journey.

Day 4: Rapid prototyping allowed me to test my solution with dog owners.

I created a mid-high fidelity prototype of this idea to test with users. I did not spend time adjusting pixels, since the goal of the prototype was to test the general idea, not granular details.

Day 5: Remote moderated usability testing allowed me to determine if my idea adequately met the users’ needs.

I recruited five dog owners to test the app. 100% of the participants were able to complete the task of choosing a dog without many obstacles. Users suggested adding additional search filters, rewording the placeholder message to the adoption agency, and providing information on dog breeds.

If I were to continue this project, I would continue with this idea, iterating on or adding specific features based on the user feedback.

I learned an effective tool for quickly testing an idea under time and budget constraints.

Overall, this project taught me an effective tool for fitting user-centered design into an agile framework.

I also learned a useful tool for testing an idea fast. A design sprint is no match for extensive research, but it is a great strategy to use if working on a tight schedule or budget. In fact, in my Resilience case study, I mention how a design sprint would have been an excellent tool to use.