Welcome To CityPups:

Your Gateway To Finding Your Furry Friend

CityPups recognizes that prospective dog owners may feel uncertain and overwhelmed when searching for their perfect match. That's why the platform is designed to address these concerns by facilitating connections, ensuring a smooth transition from browsing to adoption. It takes into account the complexities of matching and caring for a dog, with the aim of increasing adoption rates and reducing shelter returns.

The goal is to provide a seamless and convenient experience for those seeking to find their furry companion. The success of the site is measured by higher rates of satisfaction, adoptions, and fewer returns.

Project Overview

The question was asked, how might I improve the current website using a 5-day Google Venture design sprint process and meet determinants of success.

It was assumed that by providing detailed information, quality images and video, and a pet matching tool - adoption rates will increase and adoption returns will decrease, signaling an improvement in matching pet pals to forever homes.

Responsibilities involved empathy and curiosity, research and analytics, visual design, prototyping and usability testing, and project management.

Sprint Day 1: Understand

Synthesizing Documentation

Existing Assets - Using CityPup’s preexisting user research data from a user sample of 10 and an established user persona, I identified several key factors and considerations in the dog searching process, including critical pain points.

Deliverables - (click on image to expand)

Creating A Solution Map

While keeping user feedback and observations in mind, I developed a solution map to visualize and craft a solution. The goal was to map out an efficient and enjoyable user journey, one that provides a simple yet comprehensive solution for the task of finding a compatible dog so that moving forward with the adoption process can be done with ease, and most importantly, confidence.

Deliverables - (click on image to expand)

Sprint Day 2: Discover

Analyzing Comparable Solutions

I organized lightning demonstrations using other products designed to address a common issue. Given the unique requirements of the users, effective assessment and flexibility to select preferred results were crucial. Streamlining the process by pairing users with suitable options in advance enhances the overall user experience. Among the platforms I examined, the websites shared in their approach of customizing experiences to meet users' individual needs and preferences.

Deliverables - (click on image to expand)

Sketching

I utilized the Crazy8s brainstorming technique to draft eight iterations of the CityPups results page, fostering the generation of quick design concepts and encouraging creative thinking. Integrating insights from my competitive research, I strategically determined the optimal placement for crucial screen elements. I then focused on further developing the solution by sketching details of the matching process.

Deliverables - (click on image to expand)

Sprint Day 3: Decide

Advancing The Solution

Taking what I learned from Spring Day 02, I developed a storyboard featuring the distinct path to the solution page to emphasize the importance of the results displaying not only available dogs in the area but also compatible and incompatible dog breeds. This solution enables users to take a data-driven, informed, and confident approach to matching their lifestyle to the needs and characteristics of a dog.

Deliverables - (click on images to expand)

Sprint Day 4: Prototype

Creating A Polished Simulation

I translated my initial sketches into a high-fidelity interactive prototype, refining the design for enhanced functionality but aligning with CityPups branding. The user journey unfolds through one of two pathways:

Users can perform a simple search from the landing page by entering their zip code/city plus the search distance from that starting point, leading them to a results page with various filtering options. Alternatively, users can engage in a matching survey, answering 9 multiple-choice questions to produce a curated results page and include not only a display of available compatible dogs in their preferred area but also inform of compatible and incompatible breeds.

The UI design of this prototype aligns with the CityPups brand.

Deliverables - (click on image to expand)

Sprint Day 5: Test And Validate

A 5 Act Interview Process

Using Google Venture's 5 Act Interview Process, I conducted usability tests to assess how well the prototype meets the expectations of real users and to understand users' reactions to the proposed user flow. I organized moderated tests both in person and remotely via via Zoom, involving 5 participants residing in cities who either expressed interest in pet adoption or had previous experience in adopting pets.

Following task completion, I interviewed each participant, seeking their confidence level in adopting a dog using the website. I then synthesized the findings.

Deliverables - (click on images to expand)

Revisions Inspired By Usability Testing