Date: 2024-09-01 to 2024-10-23
Role: Designer
Working alongside Sóley Halldors, Haoxuan Zhang, and Barry John Wootton, I contributed to developing a mobile application that reimagines how dog owners connect and coordinate within their communities. As a full-stack designer, I was involved in every phase of the project, from initial research through to final implementation.
Through conducting semi-structured interviews with eight dog owners and extensive literature review, I helped uncover key insights about how dogs naturally facilitate social connections and community engagement. I applied various research and design methodologies, including persona development, scenario mapping, and How Might We (HMW) statements to translate our findings into actionable design opportunities.
The resulting solution was a community-focused mobile app featuring shared calendars for coordinated dog care, detailed dog profiles for matching compatible pets, and integrated chat functionality. I participated in the entire design process, from parallel prototyping to conducting user evaluations using think-aloud protocols, ensuring our final product truly served our users’ needs while promoting stronger community bonds.
This project significantly enhanced my understanding of user-centered design principles and the importance of iterative development in creating solutions that address real community needs. The final design not only simplified pet care coordination but also strengthened local community connections through the lens of dog ownership.
Tools & Methods: User interviews, Literature review, Persona development, Scenario mapping, HMW statements, Parallel prototyping, Think-aloud testing, Iterative design