UX Designer
Artist
Project Overview
Project Duration
October - November 2024
Role
UX Designer
Problem
Finding the best camping gear can be difficult.
Goal
To identify challenges faced when shopping for camping gear and to mitigate these problems with an easy-to-use website that allows customers a more time-efficient and seamless shopping experience.
IT ALL STARTS WITH AN IDEA...
...THAT LEADS TO DEFINING THE FOCUS...
...TO HELP CREATE A BEAUTIFUL DESIGN...
...TO TEST WITH REAL USERS...
...TO FINALLY LAUNCH THE FINAL PRODUCT.
UNDERSTANDING THE USER
Shopping for camping equipment can be overwhelming.
Hard to find items based on needed equipment specs.
Not a lot of real life examples of people using the products.
Camping equipment is expensive and saving items for later isn't always an option.
User Pain Points
USER RESEARCH
Through user interviews and surveys, valuable insights into user pain points and experiences were gained. With this information, user personas and journey maps were created to better understand the needs and goals of the users. A competitive audit was conducted of other online camping stores including Patagonia, L.L. Bean and REI to ensure that the designs are aggressive within the market.
Persona: Jim
Problem Statement: Jim is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys backpacking and camping. He is looking for a more streamlined process to buying camping equipment so he can make planning his adventures the priority rather than shopping for gear.
Demographics
Age: 38 Education: College graduate Hometown: Denver, CO Family: Single Occupation: Accountant
User Story
Jim is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys getting away from the office during the weekends to spend time in the back country in his home state of Colorado. Jim needs functional and long-lasting camping equipment for every season so he can continue doing what he loves in any type of weather. Jim finds shopping online for gear difficult as it is hard to determine what equipment is good in different weather and what the reliability of the equipment is. He wants to be able to shop quickly and prevent exchanges or returns so that he can spend more of his time planning his next outdoor trip.
Goals
- Easily define technical specs on gear to make shopping faster - Easy access to product reviews and informational articles on products to prevent frequent returns/exchanges
Frustrations
- Difficulty finding gear with the needed specs for his adventures - Frequent returns/exchanges due to limited information/product reviews
Information Architecture
As a UX designer, I understand that the backbone of any effective user interface is its information architecture. During the initial stages of the design process, I meticulously mapped out how the information is structured and presented to ensure that users can navigate seamlessly. This foundational step not only enhances usability but also contributes to an enjoyable user experience.
Design
Great Bear
Introducing Great Bear: a user-friendly interface designed to elevate your camping experience. My mission is to help users discover the perfect camping equipment tailored to their needs while simplifying the shopping process. Explore the projects below and see how Great Bear redefines camping!
Wireframes
Wireframing is the next significant phase in my UX design process, focusing on bridging the gap between initial concepts and digital execution. I aimed to bring the wonders of nature to the forefront with an eye-catching featured image layout that beautifully represents the spirit of camping. I believe that a seamless user experience is vital, which is why I integrated a simple filtering feature for products. This allows customers to easily sort through specifications, ensuring they find the best items that meet their camping requirements. I understand the importance of empowering customers with information before making a purchase, and that’s why I ensured that customer reviews are not only accessible but also prominent on every product page. Additionally, I've implemented an 'In The Wild' section, which features detailed product videos and insightful blog posts from real users, helping potential customers make informed decisions. This way, users feel confident and informed before completing their purchases.
Usability Studies
After conducting usability studies, I've found that users frequently requested a simple and efficient way to add multiple quantities of the same item to their cart. This insight highlights the importance of user-centered design in optimizing their shopping experience.
High-Fidelity Prototype
My visual design process focused on creating an immersive experience that transports users under the stars. With high contrast backgrounds and stunning imagery of the night sky, I aimed to evoke a sense of wonder. Additionally, a dedicated "In The Wild' page allows users to preview gear and gather detailed information about their purchases. I also utilized embedded links to help users chose the best gear for them to inform decision-making.
Moving Forward
The process of crafting my first user interface was both fun and enlightening! I took great pleasure in designing visually appealing features that enhance user experience. Looking ahead, I aim to focus on designing the saved items list to offer users valuable insights into preferred products and to condense the checkout steps, making the purchasing process smoother. I’m eager to implement these ideas to elevate the overall user experience!