Pawspot
Pawspot
Pawspot is a mobile app that helps owners and finders report lost pets. With an user-friendly interface and certain innovative tools, the app makes it easy for users to collaborate with others in the community.
Pawspot is a mobile app that helps owners and finders report lost pets. With an user-friendly interface and certain innovative tools, the app makes it easy for users to collaborate with others in the community.
Timeline
May - July 2023
Tools
Figma, Notion
Role
Product designer
Client
Personal Project
Timeline
May - July 2023
Tools
Figma, Notion
Role
Product designer
Client
Personal Project
Where everything started..
Where everything started..
Where everything started..
I was walking back home and guess what? I found a missing cat!
My first thought was to post her on every local Facebook group I found. Unfortunately, my posts didn’t get high visibility, so I never found her owner.
Later on, for a college assignment, this crazy journey came to my mind! and I turned it into a tough but exciting challenge.
I was walking back home and guess what? I found a missing cat!
My first thought was to post her on every local Facebook group I found. Unfortunately, my posts didn’t get high visibility, so I never found her owner.
Later on, for a college assignment, this crazy journey came to my mind! and I turned it into a tough but exciting challenge.
Problem Space
Problem Space
Problem Space
In 2024, we still don’t have a universal and centralized platform to report lost pets.
We see people using posters or social media platforms, but finding a specific pet is nearly impossible due to the large volume of content, with no option for filtered searches.
In 2024, we still don’t have a universal and centralized platform to report lost pets.
We see people using posters or social media platforms, but finding a specific pet is nearly impossible due to the large volume of content, with no option for filtered searches.
Research & Analysis
Research & Analysis
As a first step i decided to get familiar with the entire scenario of a pet getting lost. The individuals involved and the research methods applied to study them were:
As a first step i decided to get familiar with the entire scenario of a pet getting lost. The individuals involved and the research methods applied to study them were:
As a first step i decided to get familiar with the entire scenario of a pet getting lost. The individuals involved and the research methods applied to study them were:
Owner
Owner
User persona, interviews.
User persona, interviews.
Frustrations/struggles
Previous experiences
Priorities/goals
Frustrations/struggles
Previous experiences
Priorities/goals
Finder
Finder
User persona, interviews.
User persona, interviews.
Frustrations/struggles
Previous experiences
Effort & Time provided
Frustrations/struggles
Previous experiences
Effort & Time provided
Local groups/non-profit org
Local groups/non-profit org
SWOT Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Plan of action
Information system
Universal patterns
Plan of action
Information system
Universal patterns
Insights
Insights & Resolutions
Resolution
Some people still rely on the traditional ways
Some people still rely on the traditional ways:
Traditional methods like printing posters and putting them up in the local area are still popular. By offering additional features and tools to supplement these traditional methods, we can help make the process more efficient and effective for everyone involved.
Traditional methods like printing posters and putting them up in the local area are still popular. By offering additional features and tools to supplement these traditional methods, we can help make the process more efficient and effective for everyone involved.
Current platforms are saturated with outdated info
Current platforms are saturated with outdated info:
It’s important to have always updated information. By doing that, the most recent lost pets will be prioritized giving them a better chance to help them.
It’s important to have always updated information. By doing that, the most recent lost pets will be prioritized giving them a better chance to help them.
Privacy and scams are a concern
Privacy and scams are a concern:
Rewards are a very popular method used by scammers. Ensuring the accuracy of the information is crucial for establishing a loyal user base.
Rewards are a very popular method used by scammers. Ensuring the accuracy of the information is crucial for establishing a loyal user base.
Empathy for animals is NOT the same for everyone
Empathy for animals is NOT the same for everyone:
By simplifying the process, we have a better chance of encouraging more people to get involved and make a big impact in their community.
By simplifying the process, we have a better chance of encouraging more people to get involved and make a big impact in their community.
User persona
User persona
I found it helpful to build a persona because it gave me a clearer visualization of who I was designing for.
I found it helpful to build a persona because it gave me a clearer visualization of who I was designing for.
Sophia
Sophia
Sophia
Sophia is a busy marketing professional who lives in Vancouver with her dog. She is passionate about her work and often puts in long hours at the office.
She adopted Max from a shelter when he was a puppy, and he has been a loyal companion ever since, being her only family.
Sophia is a busy marketing professional who lives in Vancouver with her dog. She is passionate about her work and often puts in long hours at the office.
She adopted Max from a shelter when he was a puppy, and he has been a loyal companion ever since, being her only family.
💪 Goals:
Keep her dog safe and healthy.
Be prepared in case Max ever gets lost in a busy city like Vancouver.
Build a sense of community among pet owners.
💪 Goals:
Keep her dog safe and healthy.
Be prepared in case Max ever gets lost in a busy city like Vancouver.
Build a sense of community among pet owners.
💪 Goals:
Keep her dog safe and healthy.
Be prepared in case Max ever gets lost in a busy city like Vancouver.
Build a sense of community among pet owners.
⚠️ Frustrations:
Limited time for Max in general.
Fear of not being able to find her dog if he ever goes missing.
Feeling helpless in the face of a lost pet.
⚠️ Frustrations:
Limited time for Max in general.
Fear of not being able to find her dog if he ever goes missing.
Feeling helpless in the face of a lost pet.
⚠️ Frustrations:
Limited time for Max in general.
Fear of not being able to find her dog if he ever goes missing.
Feeling helpless in the face of a lost pet.
Ideation & Design
Ideation & Design
For the first step in ideation, I sketched down the main things to think about for the app. I figured out who will use it, how it will work, and the important features that would optimize it based on the previous insights.
For the first step in ideation, I sketched down the main things to think about for the app. I figured out who will use it, how it will work, and the important features that would optimize it based on the previous insights.
Wireframes
Wireframes
I started with quick wireframes to visualize the app.
My biggest struggle here was to collect all the complex information in couple steps to simplify the user flow.
I started with quick wireframes to visualize the app.
My biggest struggle here was to collect all the complex information in couple steps to simplify the user flow.
Here are some of the questions that made me elaborate a new user flow:
What information can I group together in one single step?
For the pet’s age, should i create a range of ages? Or specific age? What about the weight?
Will users feel safe putting the exact location?
What’s more important, the time the pet got lost, or the time the report was made?
Here are some of the questions that made me elaborate a new user flow:
What information can I group together in one single step?
For the pet’s age, should i create a range of ages? Or specific age? What about the weight?
Will users feel safe putting the exact location?
What’s more important, the time the pet got lost, or the time the report was made?
User flow - Make a report
User flow - Make a report
Mockups - Iteration
Mockups - Iteration
Since this project was initially for a college assignment, my initial mockups were made in a very short amount of time. Later on, revisiting the project, and incorporating feedback, I identified areas for improvement and took the time to enhance and iterate.
Since this project was initially for a college assignment, my initial mockups were made in a very short amount of time. Later on, revisiting the project, and incorporating feedback, I identified areas for improvement and took the time to enhance and iterate.
Example 1
Example 1
Example 1
While dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits are common pets, the app should be designed to benefit any pet owner.
Users can cancel the report at any step by clicking However, this process should not be interrupted by using the tab bar, so now it’s hidden.
Instructions are presented in a more clear and straightforward language
While dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits are common pets, the app should be designed to benefit any pet owner.
Users can cancel the report at any step by clicking However, this process should not be interrupted by using the tab bar, so now it’s hidden.
Instructions are presented in a more clear and straightforward language
Example 2
Example 2
Example 2
For features like selecting a dog’s breed, instead of a dropdown list with way too many options. It’s better to turn it into a single step with a search bar so the user can find it faster.
Include a skip option for people who found a pet but they’re uncertain about their breed.
For features like selecting a dog’s breed, instead of a dropdown list with way too many options. It’s better to turn it into a single step with a search bar so the user can find it faster.
Include a skip option for people who found a pet but they’re uncertain about their breed.
Example 3
Example 3
Example 3
Besides making the interface more intuitive and organizing the information in a clearer way, I included some new features like:
Besides making the interface more intuitive and organizing the information in a clearer way, I included some new features like:
Save a post.
Share a post (for more visibility out of the app
Call or text as a contact method.
Gallery pictures.
Save a post.
Share a post (for more visibility out of the app
Call or text as a contact method.
Gallery pictures.
Style Guide
Style Guide
For the final design I created a modern-looking UI kit, removing prior sketchy elements for a refined appearance. Utilizing the Aesthetic-Usability Effect UX law can elevate user confidence and enhance intuitiveness through visually appealing elements.
For the final design I created a modern-looking UI kit, removing prior sketchy elements for a refined appearance. Utilizing the Aesthetic-Usability Effect UX law can elevate user confidence and enhance intuitiveness through visually appealing elements.
Prototype & Testing
Prototype & Testing
👍 Positive
👍 Positive
Users think the report process is simple and very intuitive.
Some features like the chat made users get an extra sense of security to avoid calling strangers.
Users think the report process is simple and very intuitive.
Some features like the chat made users get an extra sense of security to avoid calling strangers.
❗️ Work on
❗️ Work on
The sign-up process seems a little too long for the extra security steps.
Users are concerned about not having enough info when finding an unfamiliar pet and upload an almost empty report.
The sign-up process seems a little too long for the extra security steps.
Users are concerned about not having enough info when finding an unfamiliar pet and upload an almost empty report.
