Shopping Queue App
Overview
Objective - Create a App for users to use during the Covid-19 pandemic to safely navigate shopping in-store.
Category: Personal Project
Duration: 2 Weeks
Type: UI/UX, Conceptualization
Tools: Figma
My role - Since this is a solo project, I will be performing all project roles, from research to develop of the Hi-Fi prototype.
Covid-19 is a worldwide pandemic that took over 2.7 million lives in 2020. In the first half of the pandemic, most of outdoor/indoor activity was closed for the indefinite future. However due to the declining economy, most states decided to reopen outdoor and indoor activity. Despite being encouraged to “avoid large groups” and “stay 6 feet apart”, I found that while shopping in the mall, there was “never-ending” lines. These lines did not seem to follow safety protocols and most stores were struggling to keep the capacity limit at 25% due to lack of resources to count heads.
I thought there must be an app out there that took “reservations” in store like for restaurants. This solution can help avoid situations with people being too close in proximity, and endorse more healthy regulations.
But In disbelief— I found none.
So here is the Design challenge…
During the Covid-19 pandemic, how can we help customers navigate in-store shopping while practicing social distancing and keeping health protocols?
Solution
Research and Findings
2 Field Observations in Mall
1 Survey 50 Respondents
10+ Online Research and Articles
Survey Findings
As a empathetic designer, some of these responses disheartened me because it was clear that some people did not feel safe while shopping in store
(These are REAL answers!)
Survey Findings
I mainly looked for articles that had to do with shopping and the risk of coronavirus. This was to gain more insight and information about the connection between those two.
A few of the Articles I read:
37 Routine Activities Ranked by Risk of COVID-19 Infection
What Is the Risk of Getting COVID-19 While Shopping?
Amid Coronavirus Surge, Holiday Shoppers Flock to Malls
COVID-19 surges at L.A. County shopping malls as holiday customers pack stores
Competitive Analysis
There are not any current direct competitors, I decided to look into OpenTable, Resy and Yelp because these were the current industry leaders for reservations. I seek to learn from their advantages and shortcomings.
Before this project, I already had Opentable and Yelp on my phone. So I just had to download Resy. Next is chart with my Pros and Cons I found in these three apps.
Features I liked in these apps that I would want to include in my project is:
Contactless Shopping support
Option for party size
Waitlist option
Ask if you are a at-high-risk individual
Show average busy times
I also actively looked at reviews on where customers were left—wanting more.
These reviews motivated me to possibly create
A opt out Option
No signup necessary
Personas
After my research, I used the insights gathered in order to create two personas. I wanted my app to make workers in the business side to feel safe as well as customers. So I made one customer persona and one worker persona.
Brainstorming
Using my previous research,I began to brainstorm ways that would be included in this app.
Based on this core functionalities would be:
Search for consumers to look at stores nearby them or for them to easily search the store up.
Schedule to book shopping slots, to be put on waitlist or to make any changes
Employee chat to easily communicate with an employee without making any direct contact with them.
Site Map
After defining my core functionalities, I was able to create a site map for my mobile app.
Wireframe Sketches
Lofi wireframes
Usability testing
Logo & Style Guide
I totally went through three rounds of usability testing, let the users play with the clickable prototype to go through basic tasks, and I take notes and implemented the changes, here is a google doc link of the tasks design and notes I made during the testing.
Exploration
I made the changes that were noted during the usability testing. I recorded all the tasks and changes noted here -> google doc link
Hifi Prototype
Thank you 😊
Final Thoughts:
For my next steps for this project, I would like to expand on contact-less support. I would also like to do more usability testing so I can provide more intuition and usability. I created this app in 2 weeks because unexpected events can cause urgency in bringing these apps to life. The pandemic took everyone in the world off guard and no one was expecting it before the nation had to shut down. I hope to integrate more useful options in the contact-less support to minimize physical contact.
The pandemic will not be permanent so I also wonder how this app could also be used in the post-covid life.
Update: Jan 2022
Going back into the UI
I looked at my old color palette and found out that it was not ADA Compliant and was not accessible to the wider population. So after some thought, I found a new color palette and implemented into the design and did the colorblind stimulator.
It seem to look good in all cases so I decided to move forward and do a new design refresh while I was at it.
