Ink Dreams

Ink Dreams project

I designed a tattoo app where users can discover new tattoo designs and artists in their area who can execute them

Part 1 Defining the problem

I used the Double diamond strategy to define my problem statement

Initial hypotheses:

Uninspired:

Tattoo apps don't display tattoos that users would actually get themselves. Users need a variety of styles and tattoo models that they can identify with

Choice fatigue:

Too many tattoo options! Users need assistance in narrowing the search

Users can't visualize tattoos on their own skin:

Tattoo Apps don't help users visualize what the tattoo would like on their own skin. Users need to see tattoos in various contexts to help them transition from visualizing tattoo designs on screen to on their own skin.

Using this method, I synthesized my initial hypotheses, realized a problem statement and initiate possible solutions.

Problem statement:

Users need to find a tattoo they identify with, one that suits their individual style and one they can relate to. We will know this to be true when users get a tattoo based on feedback from the app.

Part 2: Uncovering needs from real users

After defining the problem, I was able to craft my

Research Goals:

1. To better understand user behavior on deciding on a tattoo

2. To understand user pain points of searching for a tattoo online

3. To determine tasks users would like to complete on a tattoo design app

User surveys and user interviews

I conducted remote surveys and user interviews for users who had 2 or more tattoos (or one and was seriously planning their next one)

The results from my survey contained a wide range of responses and informed the script for my user interviews.

I interviewed 3 participants who had one or more tattoos and were planning on getting another one. The participants were men and women between the ages of 20-30 and were interviewed in-person in San Francisco, CA.

Part 3: Aggregating and analyzing data

I went through all research and collected it into an affinity map:

The affinity maps helped me cluster information from each participant together and identify relationships between several different components. I gathered insights from the findings and created User personas and then User journeys.

My user journeys informed my sitemap:

I conducted a card sort to explore users mental models. And then refined my sitemap accordingly:

Part 4: Wireframes and rapid prototyping

I used my sitemaps to create the first paper wireframes for navigation:

From there, I created low fidelity prototypes and then Mid-fidelity prototypes:

Finally, I created High-fidelity prototypes:

I conducted usability tests to see if users could navigate around it and perform basic tasks. I compiled data in the rainbow spreadsheet and rated the severity of user errors and painpoints. I fixed errors on prototypes accordingly.

Part 5: Conducting Usability Tests

I refined the app visually using the Gestalt principles. And then, I refined pages again by adding a 12 column grid for maximum flexibility and to account for desktop versions and responsive features. I added grids to desktop pages as well.

Part 6: Visual design refinements: