Design Brief
The final project for Interaction Design course was to redesign a website/mobile app or design a system that a company was lacking. After researching many sites, I noticed that numerous companies lacked a well-rounded review system.
Walmart was selected as the main focus due to its ability to reach consumers of all kinds. Most have heard of their low prices, which attracts and grow their consumer-base. This review system would be beneficial to their consumers by keeping the UI simple and true to their design brand.
Overview
Within the past few years, we have seen an increase in the ease of purchasing items through Apple and Google Pay. This new feature has allowed many to shop impulsively, especially with lax return policies from many large online retailers.
However, we have also seen an upwards trend of consumers being mislead through unrealistic product photos and marketing. The goal of this mobile app feature is to allow consumers, namely those shopping online at Walmart, to be able to provide a detailed review of their experience. In turn, potential buyers will have a well-rounded review to base their decision on during their shopping process.
Applications Used
Adobe Illustrator, Figma
User Research
User Persona
Meet Amanda--a tech savvy college graduate. As a store manager, she never knows when she might have to do an emergency shift--as a result, she is always on the lookout to save as much time as she can. She relies heavily on reviews when she needs to purchase something, as it gives her the widest range of information in a short period of time.
Design Process
After researching, all information gathered was implemented into designing the review system. In this stage, the user flow, wireframing and high resolution screens were created in Figma. Since this is only a feature, the user flow is kept simple--just as Amanda would have wanted.
User Flow
Wireframes
When I created the initial wireframes, I was still deciding if I wanted to present the final screens as a desktop or mobile view.
After reviewing my users' answers once more, I realized they would likely prefer to access this feature through their mobile (since the first applications they use in the day are Spotify and Instagram). As an additional incentive, it would benefit both the customer and business to include a discount on their next purchase if they choose to complete the review.
Hi-Resolution Screens & Prototype
After finalizing the mobile layout, I incorporated the brand colors into the review system and developed the final screens in Figma.
User Testing Results
General Insights
• All users stated the system was efficient and straightforward. One user revealed that having the item's thumbnail helped them select which product to review quicker.
• All users noted that the discount incentive would increase their chances of reviewing the product, but not always (especially with items that were only satisfactory).
Feedback from Users
• All users would have liked to view how a customer would access the review system from a desktop and/or mobile app.
• An increase in font and button sizes
Questions from Users
• Will the system save where I left off, or do I have to complete the review from start to finish?
• Will the review be screen by the company beforehand or will they be posted immediately?
Conclusion
Brainstorming and creating this mobile app feature made me realize how much I love to solve complex problems with user statistics. Being able to sit down and understand how a user navigates through online shopping and the steps that it involves is truly fascinating. Even though every user had a different lifestyle, there were many similarities between them. I also now understand the importance of knowing which platform to showcase my screens on before wireframing, as this would save a lot of time.
What I Would Improve
Since this course, I definitely think improvements can be made, mainly the addition of more screens and how this might all tie into the existing Walmart website/mobile app. This would help my users understand the navigation, especially if they do not review their purchase right after receiving the email. I would also conduct more interviews with those who are within the ages of 45-60, as they might have a different perspective. Conducting a usability test within that age range would be one of the first steps I would take if I were to improve this feature, after increasing the font and button sizes.
