LITTLE THREADS EXCHANGE
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UX
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LITTLE THREADS EXCHANGE • UX •
Role: Sole UX Designer
The Problem
Purchasing secondhand clothing online often entails significant uncertainty and risk, and reselling specialized clothing, such as adaptive wear, can be challenging due to limited availability and options. My goal was to facilitate the seamless discovery and sale of a diverse range of clothing, encompassing various genders, sizes, and specialties, by establishing a reliable and user-friendly online platform that parents can navigate with ease and confidence.
Research
I conducted online interviews with potential users ranging from parents with kids to people with differing norms of life. Through these interviews, I found the following pain points when it comes to selling clothes and buying used items.
Time
A parent’s time is a lot more limited between their other responsibilities and their children. They want something quick and easy.
Gender Roles
Many kids clothes in traditional retail are generally listed as either for boys or girls. Having a gender neutral option would make filtering easier.
Temporary Clothing
The need for clothing for injuries (like adaptive clothing) could be annoying to have to buy and sell, especially when no longer needed.
pricing
When selling an item at a thrift store or other resellers, there is a large chance that not a lot of money comes back to the seller in terms of value.
Persona: Christie Menali
Persona: Alan Yao
User Flow: Alan Yao
Design architecture
The initial planning of Little Threads Exchange’s website.
Wireframes and sketches
I sketched out wireframes and scenarios to start ideating on how ECOmmune will look and on how the functionality helps solve the initial problem.
Paper Sketches: Scenarios and Wireframes
Digital Wireframe: Homepage
Digital Wireframe: Shopping Landing Page
Digital Wireframe: Seller Landing Page
lofi Prototype
I developed low fidelity prototypes to test out if Little Threads Exchange was solving the problems that it was designed for.
Process: Buying Clothing
Process: Selling Clothing
usability study findings
Prototypes and questionnaires were given to users to test unmoderated. They answered questions based on Little Thread Exchange’s buying clothing and selling clothing functions. You can find the prototype and questionnaire here.
Weak VerificatioN
Users have indicated that items still lack proper verification of quality.
Stronger accessibility
Users have expressed a desire for more ways to perform various activities and enhanced accessibility options
Button clarity
Users got confused on how to navigate the website. They wanted more clarity on what items were clickable, and changes in iconography to better match the function of buttons.
mock ups and hifi prototype
Based on the usability findings, mock ups were created to address the feedback and refine the two main processes of Little Threads Exchange. You can explore the HiFi prototype here.
Process: Buying Clothing
Process: Selling Clothing
Mock Up: Home Page
Mock Up: Shopping Landing Page
Mock Up: Seller Landing Page
Mock Up: Item Catalogue (Tablet)
Mock Up: Item Catalogue (Mobile)
accessible design
multiple actions
I went through and made sure certain motions have multiple paths of movement. Making sure that there are various ways to achieve actions.
color balance
Making sure proper luminosity and color interactivity makes it easier to view the page for people with seeing disabilities.
iconography
I added iconography to any option that goes to a new page to give users a clearer idea on where they are headed next.
TAKEAWAYS AND NEXT STEPS
Takeaways
Enhanced Accessibility: Throughout this project, I gained a profound understanding of the importance of accessibility in web design. Ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities, can easily navigate and interact with the platform became a central focus. By incorporating features such as additional navigation options, luminosity balance with colors, and filters for people outside of my typical range of perception, I learned how to create a more inclusive user experience. This process underscored the necessity of accessibility as a fundamental aspect of user-centered design, promoting equal access and usability for everyone.
Responsive Screen Size: Through this project, I learned the critical importance of responsive web design in creating a seamless user experience across various devices. Ensuring that the platform functioned optimally on desktops, tablets, and smartphones required a deep understanding of flexible grid layouts, proper font usage, and the various sizing of media. By implementing a responsive design approach, I was able to provide a consistent and engaging experience for users regardless of the device they were using.
Deepened Understanding of User Needs: Working on this project as a case study allowed me to deeply analyze and understand user needs without the pressure of a live product. Through extensive research and user persona development, I gained insights into the specific requirements and preferences of parents shopping for children's clothing. This process emphasized the importance of empathy and user-centered design, ensuring that every aspect of the platform was tailored to meet the real-world needs of its intended users.
Next Steps
Figure out extra analytics to give users for the items they sell.
Look for more opportunities to add motion to increase the fun factor of the site.
Continue to design and explore options for inclusivity of various user needs in both exploring the website and clothing options.