Overview

During my senior year in high school, I worked on my first capstone project for the Google UX Design certification course. The project involved creating an app designed specifically for florist shops. It took me around three months to develop this app.

The Problem

The problems customers face is difficulty finding the specific flowers they want and enduring long waiting lines. My goal is to create an app that enables users to quickly locate and choose the flowers they want, reducing their waiting time significantly.

Research + Discovery

As a UX researcher, I wanted to understand the users' pain points better. To achieve this, I conducted observational research and created a user journey. This journey helped me pinpoint instances when users experienced frustration while purchasing flowers, as well as identify opportunities for improvement.

To better understand the user's problems, I developed two user personas. These personas helped me grasp the users' goals when purchasing flowers and the obstacles they might encounter. Among the personas, Mira's primary concern is the inability to buy flowers quickly. I then formulated a problem statement for her: "Mira Willis, an illustrator intern, needs a fast and efficient way to purchase flowers due to her busy schedule."

I also conducted a competitive audit focusing on florist apps. I found that the most successful florist shops offer unique bouquets to their customers. Surprisingly, many of my competitors lacked a fundamental element - a simple app for customers. With my app, users can easily make purchases using their phones, thanks to a friendly and intuitive UI design.

Initial Designs

After understanding the user's pain points, I started sketching paper wireframes. For each screen, I created five different versions and then selected the best one to refine digitally using Figma. One of the frames I designed focused on displaying florist shop locations, allowing users to find a nearby shop easily. Additionally, I added filters on the homepage to help users quickly choose the flowers they want. Working on these features in Figma was a breeze, and I enjoyed exploring different solutions.

Mockups

Using insights from the usability study, I iterated on my designs for the high-fidelity prototype. I incorporated new features, including a search bar on the location screen and a directions button, which displays the distance from the florist shop to the user's current location.

Final Design

Prior to starting this project, I had little knowledge about accessibility challenges. However, during the course, I found it fascinating to learn about these challenges and how certain designs can hinder users from accomplishing their tasks. Thanks to Google's resources, I discovered ways to ensure accessibility for all users within my prototype. I implemented the following strategies:

1. Optimized Transitions: I kept transitions between 150 and 500 milliseconds to avoid disturbing users and ensure a smooth experience.
2. Diverse Interaction Methods: Recognizing that not all users have complete control of their hands or vision, I made sure that gestures are not the only way to complete tasks in my app. This way, everyone can navigate and interact comfortably.
3. Looping Option: To address the needs of users who may get distracted by motion, I provided an option for them to turn off looping, promoting a more focused and user-friendly experience.

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Takeaways

Throughout this project, I acquired numerous valuable concepts, but the most significant takeaway was learning how to make my app accessible to all users. Initially, when creating my paper wireframes, I didn't consider features that could benefit everyone. However, Google's accessibility lesson helped me gain a better understanding of this aspect, prompting me to improve my brainstorming process.

Additionally, I deepened my knowledge of Figma and explored new features like grid systems, components, and spreadsheets. This project became a huge learning experience, introducing me to the importance of accessibility and other topics such as competitive audits in UX Design that I had never encountered before.

I'm excited to apply this newfound knowledge to my future projects, making them more inclusive and user-friendly for all.