Florist App
App UX/UI | Spring 2023
Overview
Completed April 202310 minute ReadThis project was the first App design project I did for my UX certification. Designing and developing this app gave an understanding of the UX design process from user research, application architecture, rapid iteration, wireframing, low fidelity to high fidelity, and the difference between websites and applications. How applications provide greater flexibility and improved user experiences.
The Product
A website-based app that is mobile and computer-friendly and gives clear pricing and inventory estimates for a variety of florist needs.
The Problem
Orders can only be made via email or call, opacity in ordering, pricing estimates, flowers, and colors available.
The Goal
Make order options cost clear with a gallery of flowers and options for orders that show cost impacts, and time impacts.
Understanding the User
Summary
In Bloom Inc’s customers often face challenges with cost uncertainty, limited knowledge about flowers, time management, and delivery options. Customers from two different profiles share these lifestyle-related goals and frustrations. It takes five steps to navigate the user journey from the landing page to the booking confirmation.
User research: pain points
1 - Uncertain Cost
When looking at In Bloom’s work portfolio, not sure of total costs nor general cost estimates which causes hesitance in ordering and issues with planning events.
2 - Options Available
Users do not have a deep knowledge of flowers, arrangements, and stock. Leading to unawareness of what they need or want.
3 - Time Planning
Users are unaware of the project load, and stock limitations that impact the turnaround of projects, especially for large events.
4 - Delivery Options
Beyond store pick-up, many users need delivery or easy pick-up options to ensure an accessible and positive product experience.
Background:
Co-parents her daughter Vanessa with her girlfriend Penelope. Between her 9-5 and raising a little girl at home, she enjoys brightening up her spaces with plants and fresh flowers. She has been struggling with a unpredictable work schedule and wants to minimize surprises and unexpected costs.
Quote:
“P loves when I have her have her favorite crimson Delilahs on the kitchen table. I love having fresh flowers in our rooms, but love to have special bouquets for birthdays, and special events, with little everyday things in between”
Problem statement:
Maria is a busy parent who needs expected, recurring flowers that can be customized because she want to control her budget while still creating daily fresh experiences.
Personas
Maria Iglesias
Age: 30
Education: Bachelors
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Goals
Buy a house with her girlfriend for their family.
Keep her place light and welcoming.
Understand what to expect every week
Family: Married
Occupation: Marketing
Frustrations
Not having time to do weekly errands
Budgeting to keep the things she loves in life while building savings.
Unexpected changes in costs of goods.
Background:
Recently moved to Houston from LA and currently working at a local restaurant while finishing his degree online. They have a rescue dog they love and currently only have a bike for transport besides public transport. They love plants and flowers and want to rebuild their collection.
Quote:
“I was drawn in by the plants and displays. I love the vibes and wish I could live in a greenhouse”
Problem statement:
Adam is a young gig workers who needs simple and budget friendly options that are easy to transport or deliver because he works odd hours with no car.
Adam Hipston
Age: 23
Education: GED
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Goals
Recently got own place after moving from Cali.
Wants to restart their plant collection
Wants to meet new people
Want to support local and minority owned businesses
Family: Single
Occupation: Hospitality Worker
Frustrations
Works odd hours, often only has a little time for normal work hour access.
Limited Budget
Bikes and has trouble transporting things.
The user experience is characterized by an minimalistic design, lack of an ordering menu, call-only ordering, and mainly staff engagement dependent. There are opportunities to increase user certainty and comfort by showing prices of past bouquets and ranges for events and offering consultation booking in addition to contact info.
User Journey Map
In Bloom Inc strives to create a clear user experience that reflects our dedication to quality, beauty, and customer satisfaction. We are committed to understanding and meeting the unique needs and preferences of our clients, ensuring every interaction is engaging, memorable, and elegant. To bring these experiences in how our clients engage with our staff and our website.
Values Statement
Starting the Design
Paper Wireframes
Quick iterations allowed rapid analysis and feedback to identify what elements worked best and resulted in the final iteration on the bottom right.
Digital Wireframes
Home Page
Development of the main header and footer action bars help reduce redundant buttons and content and gave the appropriate access to the main action items. This allows the user to take action at any time in their user experience.
Menu Bar
Tapping the menu give the user a birds eye view of the contents and organization. Drop downs keep the details of the Gallery content tidied away until the user is ready to engage more with it.
Account Page
A streamlined account page shows relevant account information needed for ordering and give the user a quick review if they need to make updates. Additionally users can review past and current orders as well as favorited content to inform future orders.
Low Fidelity Prototype
Password: InBloomInc
Users land on the main page, from there they can start an order if familiar, view offerings featured on the home page, look into other offerings in the galler, or manage their account and orders from their user page.
Usability Study Findings
The usability study revealed that the UX app demonstrated a high level of user-friendliness, with participants easily navigating through the interface and completing tasks efficiently.
Round 1 Findings
The menu is over complex
Lack of Calendar
Need of clear review page before checkout completed
Round 2 Findings
Add Back Buttons
The account page should have option to reorder past orders
Should have checkout cart on the bottom bar
Refining the Design
Mock Ups
Reworked date input to a calendar format.
Added a review screen before the order complete screen.
Accessibility considerations
Use both icons with text together, to allow native language and non-native speakers to follow easier.
Utilize screen reader technology and use image descriptions for hard of hearing and deaf community.
Use gender-neutral language when referring to users.
Going Forward
Takeaways
Impact
A good app allows greater customization than a website but does add an additional barrier to access by requiring a user to download. A quality app is about reducing friction, making users desire, and making that desire readily available. Resulting in increased satisfaction thus a higher probability of repeat orders and referrals.
What I learned
There are so many ways to apply assets and make your own custom ones, however, there are many wonderful design resources to learn from and build off of. The iterative process allows rapid iteration to work from outlines to expand to a fleshed-out experience that allows developers to understand what needs to be made.
Next Steps
I will take my skills from this course rework my personal website and add the website design to my portfolio as well.
I will polish up my main project and add it to my portfolio. As well as do one more practice project for a family member or friend to improve my skills and add at least 3 quality projects to my portfolio.
I will identify and apply to new positions that offer fully remote or have an international presence. Then start interviews.