Overview
This was a fictional capstone project during my time at Brainstation.
I created a mobile app for those who identify as skincare novices to learn about skincare. My goal was to meet them at their level and create an experience that is approachable yet easy to understand so they could feel comfortable and confident about starting their skincare journey.
Project Duration
Feb 2021 - Apr 2021
Tools Used
Figma, Miro, Google Forms
Problem Space
The Challenge
Current Optics on Skincare
Over the years skincare has been coded as a feminine practice and has made people feel as though it’s not for them or that they shouldn’t be bothered with it.
With complexin. I aimed to change the perception and wanted to encourage those who may have felt shunned from it. I initially wanted to figure out:
How might we ungender skincare in order to encourage more people to make skincare part of their daily routines?
Discovery
Understanding the Challenge
Assumptions vs. Reality
Through user interviews, I realized that my initial assumptions were wrong; there was more nuance to the issue.
Skincare Knowledge
People want to understand products, how to use them, how to create a routine, etc.
Knowledge Everywhere
People are overwhelmed by the amount of information.
"How Does This Benefit Me?"
People want to understand how products and having a routine can help them.
Skincare Knowledge
People want to understand products, how to use them, how to create a routine, etc.
Knowledge Everywhere
People are overwhelmed by the amount of information.
Basic Explanations
Language used around skincare is confusing and hard to understand.
Junk Skincare
People want help separating which products are good or bad for them to buy and use.
"Where Do I Begin?"
People don’t know where to start their journey.
Basic Explanations
Language used around skincare is confusing and hard to understand.
Junk Skincare
People want help separating which products are good or bad for them to buy and use.
"Where Do I Begin?"
People don’t know where to start their journey.
"How Does This Benefit Me?"
People want to understand how products and having a routine can help them.
With these findings in mind, I realized that I needed to pivot and figure out:
How might we help people who identify as novices to learn about skincare and products in a way that’s easy to understand?
Synthesizing + Design
Define & Design
Creating Personas and Flows
I identified two major user groups from my research: pure beginners and people with intermediate knowledge who had more targeted and specific questions.
Since this was a short timeline and a concept project I focused on:
- Designing and developing a user flow for the pure beginner persona (Kyle).
- Wireframes related to a user searching and learning about a product category (ex. moisturizer).
Task Flow
Wireframes
User Testing
User Testing & Feedback
Testing Goals
I was aiming to see if the flow and screens designed met users expectations for the tasks that were given to them.
There was two rounds of testing and each group I gained valuable feedback that allowed me to make changes aligned to what people were expecting.
New Screens Added
Testers wanted to use the learn button in the nav bar.
An additional task flow and screens were created for users whose first instinct was to use that icon.
Header On Home Screen
Testers were unsure about what type of information would be appearing here.
A header was added to indicate what articles would show up and why they’re relevant.
Favorite on First Sight
Testers wanted the ability to quickly add items to their favorites for when they’re unable to read an article or text at that moment.
Favorite icons were added to articles and products in the search results.
Final Design
Meeting Design Goals
My solution helps to fill an educational gap for those that have been intimated by the skincare space and needed a resource they could turn to for information that is easy to understand.
Even though I made a pivot in my project, my solution still touches on my initial goal of un-gendering skincare. I made assumptions that people didn’t care when truthfully it’s that people don’t have easily digestable information that allows for them to care and dive deeper.
App Features
With the final design I wanted to prioritize:
Ability to Explore Information
- Side-scrolling of articles at the top, which is updated daily, allows for exploration of different relevant topics.
- Articles are tailored based on interests chosen during the onboarding process and are continuously curated as the user uses the app and favorites items.
Find Information Quickly
- Quickly find information, whether articles or products, that match the search query.
Easy to Understand
- Favorite feature - to save and review for a later day or a refresher on the topic.
- Suggestions of products that correlate to the topic, making it easy when you’re out shopping in the world.
Final Thoughts
Project Lookback
What I Learned
The Importance of a Good Question
Asking good questions to get quality insights is important. I think there might have been missed opportunites to get even better insights.
Synthesizing Research
Learning how to take in and understand all my research and turning it into bite-size understandable insights.
Applying Feedback
How to better listen and understand others points of views and experiences to figure out solutions and apply those changes in a meaningful way.
Future Plans
Moving forward with this project, things I'd like to work on next are:
- Onboarding Flows - building this out allows users to understand how their articles are being chosen.
- Quiz Flows - quizzes allow for the app to help people identify their skin type or to help them build a routine. The information is saved in order to give suggestions on products and ingredients that would benefit them.
- Product Pages - pages that gives basic information on the product as well as ingredients and lets users know if it's a good match for them based on quiz results or information provided during onboarding.
