PROJECT BRIEF
magazINK is a new tattoo mobile application which aims to provide tattoo enthusiast across the globe with a one-stop shop to everything tattoo related.
From connecting with renowned artists, locating world famous studios, discovering the latest industry trends or simply searching for “ink”spiration, magazINK’s goal is to create an all-encompassing tattoo experience for users with a swipe of a finger!!
PROBLEM STATEMENT
The journey of getting your 1st or 14th tattoo is not an easy journey by any means. It takes guts, courage, and lots of patience. In addition to the pain that comes along with getting a tattoo, a lot of preparation is required. It can take hours of research to find the perfect artist and then decide what to get, which can become very overwhelming and may deter many from following through with the process.
There is a huge lack of knowledge, and searching the internet for information can lead to a continuous loop unless you know exactly what you are searching for. Additionally, information that is provided from peers or local tattoos shops tend to be opinion-based which creates an even bigger rabbit hole.
Not having a centralized place to access tattoo related content leaves potential “tattooees” confused, frustrated, and unsure of where to start.
MY ROLE
UX/UI Designer, Researcher
CLIENT
CareerFoundry
DESIGN TOOLS
Sketch, Invision
THE SOLUTION
The purpose of magazINK is to make the whole tattoo ordeal as painless as possible. With the ability to connect with experienced artists and other tattooees, a wealth of knowledge will be at users’ finger tips. The goal is to allow users the ability to consult with tattoo industry experts in regard to anything any everything tattoo related.
Additionally, I want to allow users to have access to the information that they are seeking while maintaining a “human” factor. By focusing on collaboration & communication every user will have a more personalized experience.
My hope is for magazINK to become the number one-stop-shop, that houses everything that a tattoo lover, artist, or newbie would ever need!
USER PERSONAS
Tattoos appeal to the masses. Either you love them or hate them but magazINK’s goal is to cater to those who appreciate amazing artistry and convert the naysayers one at a time. Due to the strict laws in various states across the US prohibiting minors from getting tattoos without a parent’s consent, the target audience ranges from ages 18 up to 40.
USER JOURNEYS
Creating user personas allowed me to understand and develop key features that magazINK should include.By having a holistic understanding of my personas and their goals, I was able to map out their navigational journeys and tackle potential pain points.
This key component of my process allowed me to continually analyze and iterate to improve upon the overall experience and layout of the web app.
UX PROCESS
USABILITY TESTING
For the purpose of my usability testing, I recruited a total of 6 participants but was only able to conduct 5 moderated in-person tests. One moderated remote test was conducted for my last participant.
I recruited individuals ranging from their early 20s’ to late 30s’ and did not specially look for individuals that are tattoo enthusiasts.
My primary focus was to gather raw data relating to the application itself, so I deemed that general recruitment of my peers would be the best course of action to take, rather than focusing on only those that I know have strong connections with tattoos.
GOALS
The goal of this study was to analyze the usability of this application. I wanted to assess how easy or difficult it was for users to navigate and complete simple tasks. How learnable is the application for new users and can they efficiently complete tasks such as booking appointments or accessing their user profile?
Also, what do users think about the overall look and feel of magazINK? Is this an application that would attract user engagement?
To achieve this, I asked relevant questions and observed user behaviors as it related to the application. By taking notes and recording my sessions, I addressed any unforeseen usability issues and prioritized pain points to make the needed modifications.
TEST RESULTS
Overall, all of the participants appeared to enjoy the concept of the application and there were no major hiccups that prevented them from navigating from task to task.
My main takeaways were to include a few more features that users expect, and update the UI to make the application more visually appealing.
I took my feedback, reanalyzed it, and made the necessary improvements to update the application. The purpose of the redesign was to present an application that’s as beautiful as it is functional and intuitive.
STYLE GUIDE
