Chirrup
Chirrup is the purr-fect social media platform for cat enthusiasts. I wanted to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere that nurtures a community for cat parents, admirers, and those eager to explore the world of cats. With a diverse range of options, Chirrup accommodates users at various stages, appealing to those who enjoy sharing cat photos and individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge of optimal cat care. 🐱
The problem:
There is an absence of dedicated apps catered exclusively to cat enthusiasts.
The goal:
Design an application that enables cat lovers to connect and interact with each other.
My role:
UX designer designing an app and website for Chirrup from conception to delivery.
Responsibilities:
Conducting interviews; paper and digital wireframing; low- and high-fidelity prototyping; conducting usability studies; accounting for accessibility; and iterating on designs.
User Research: Summary
Engaging in insightful interviews and crafting empathy maps allowed me to better understand the needs of the users I am designing for. Through thorough research, a key user demographic
emerged—adults with cats longing for a dedicated platform to express their affection for their furry companions.
User Research: Pain Points
Accessibility
Social media platforms sometimes lack integration with assistive technologies.
Information Architecture
Text-heavy pages in apps are often difficult to read and navigate.
Persona: Babette
Problem statement: Babette is a devoted cat owner in search of a platform tailored for fellow cat lovers. She aims to form connections and make well-informed decisions regarding the care of her beloved feline companions.
Babette Coble
"I am an avid animal lover who would love to find others who are as passionate about cats as I am."
Goals:
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Create friendships with fellow cat-lovers
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Learn the newest science-backed methods for caretaking
Frustrations:
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There aren't social media apps catered solely to cat lovers
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There isn't a dedicated space where she can learn exclusively about petcare
Babette wants to be able to forge connections with people who are as dedicated to their cats as she is. She wants to be able to have a dedicated platform where she can share photos of her pets, research the latest updates about best practices, and join forums focused on cats.
Age:
Education:
Hometown:
Family:
Occupation:
44
Master's degree
Wichita, KS
Lives with her 2 cats
Conservationist
User Journey Map
Exploring Babette's user journey highlighted the value of an app that combines education and entertainment for users.
Persona: Babette Coble
Goal: Forge connections with fellow cat lovers while simultaneously staying up-to-date on best practices.
Paper Wireframes
By crafting paper iterations for each app screen, I ensured that the elements transitioning to digital wireframes would effectively address user pain points. Specifically focusing on the home screen, I prioritized the identification of bottom tabs to enhance user efficiency and save time.
Digital Wireframes
As the initial design phase continued, I made sure to base screen designs on feedback and findings from the user research. Easy navigation was a key user need to address in the designs in addition to equipping the app to work with assistive technologies.
Real images to capture the attention of the user
Identifying icons accompanied text to help users easily navigate app
Easy access to navigation that’s accessible at all points when using the app
Usability Study: Findings
I conducted two rounds of usability studies. Findings from the first study helped guide the designs from wireframes to mockups. The second study employed a high-fidelity prototype and revealed what aspects of the mockups needed refining.
Round 1 findings
Users want more intuitive app navigation.
Users want a more visually pleasing design.
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2
Round 2 findings
Users find the article links to be too clunky.
There’s too much white space throughout the app.
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2
Key Mockups
Early designs allowed for some customization, but after the usability studies, I chose to include additional text to the tab icons.
Before usability study
After usability study
High-Fidelity Prototype
The final high-fidelity prototype presented cleaner, more lucid user flows for navigating the app and the many features it has to offer.
Accessibility Considerations
Provided access
to users who are vision impaired by adding alternative text to images for screen readers
Used icons to
help make
navigation easier
Incorporated a tutorial to help all users navigate the app easily
Takeaways
Impact
A cat-centered app strengthens owner-pet bonds through interactive features, expert advice, and community support. Users monitor their cat's health, access resources, and connect with fellow enthusiasts, all while saving time with streamlined functionalities.
What I learned
While designing the Chirrup app, I learned that the first ideas for the app are only the beginning of the process. Usability studies and peer feedback influenced each iteration of the app’s designs.
Next Steps
Perform additional usability studies to confirm whether the identified user pain points have been successfully resolved
Perform further user research to identify any emerging areas of need