Crafty: Local Craft Swap App
Self-Defined Project - Case Study
Crafty is a mobile app concept that connects people to build local, trusted community groups online through the shared love of arts and crafts! Here, all crafters can sell and swap crafting supplies or share their creations and tips. Conceptualized, designed, and researched by myself, Crafty hopes to bring together the best of ease of use in online marketplaces and the heart and support found in local community pages. Let’s craft together!
Opportunity
I wanted to take the time to develop and build out a product that I felt a personal connection to. So many people I know love to craft (myself included), so I wanted to design something that supports this shared happiness!
Challenge
Three main things most crafters have in common are that they love to learn new things, share their creations and see other people’s work, and… they have a lot of supplies they need to get rid of. Many people give or sell unwanted supplies on online community pages, which feel safer and more convenient but lack the order and searchability of online marketplaces.
With this in mind, my challenge was to design an app that allows crafters to share and swap their resources locally while being intuitive and easy to use.
Role
My Role: UX/UI Researcher & Designer
Tools: Figma, Figjam, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Forms, Zoom, Otter.ai,
Methods
Gantt Chart Project Management
Secondary Research
Competitive Audit
Journey Map
Direct Storytelling
Scenarios
Personal Inventories
User Interviews
Card Sorting
Usability Testing
Kano Analysis
Sketching
Wireframes
Interactive Prototyping
Component Building
Results
Informed by initial research, user interviews, and usability testing, the final Crafty App interactive prototype is designed for android mobile screens with various unique, self-made components that address crafters’ needs for:
Improved visibility of status through on-the-spot status indicators
Consistency of information architecture with standard listing forms
More intuitive search functions with categories and related filters and sorting options
Looking ahead, I want to dedicate more time to building out the profile, community, and messaging screens & user flows to showcase how all the features work together to support the sharing of crafting resources and information in a safe and engaging local space.
The Results
Interactive Prototype & Usability Testing
The first version of the mid-fidelity wireframes was used in usability tests with three new participants and provided insights into improving visibility and hierarchy of information. After those revisions, I took the majority of my remaining time to reorganize and refine the status indicators on the listings and fully build out the “make a listing” user flow.
Location radius: Location settings allow crafters to browse and interact locally to foster a sense of community
Clear Categories: Help users recognize the ability to begin searching for listings based on their hobbies
Suggested Listings: Local listings let users begin browsing right away to engage with the app
Sorting and Filtering: General sorting and filtering options provide flexibility and a sense of content curation
Search and Filter
Listings - Visibility of Information
Status Badges: Keeps users informed about the availability of listings and what exchanges the seller is looking for
“In Search Of” section: Provides users with accurate information to help them make successful swap offers
Delivery Options: Before having to reach out to the seller/lister, users can see if the listing fits their criteria
Community Page
Popular Forums: Efficiently suggests crafting conversations to users to explore
Latest Posts: Users can view recent posts from all communities and discover new content
Looking Ahead: Revising information architecture to improve intuitiveness for new users
Make a Listing - Consistency
Standard Posting Process: Assures that all listings will have the detailed information required to help users make informed decisions
Sale, Swap, or Both: Flexibility in user controls which lets users set their parameters and expectations
In Search Of Section: Users can clearly state what they are looking for in swaps to help receive offers that they can consider
Set Delivery Preferences: Setting pick-up locations or who will pay for shipping helps all parties review and understand the details of swaps
Preview Listing: Provides users with the opportunity to review the information they have inputted and fix any errors.
The Process
Scope and Concept
Before beginning to imagine what this app may look like, I had to sit down and plan out my project's scope and intention. What already exists in these spaces? What opportunities do I have to improve upon? And ultimately, what do the key stakeholders (crafters) want from these online interactions and exchanges of goods? Throughout the identification, prototype, and evaluation stages of the design process, my goal, and scope began to focus more on how the Crafty app features can better support what existing crafting communities love to do: spread the joy arts & crafts brings them and share resources so others can benefit, too.
Key Users & Stakeholders
Key Users identified:
Crafters looking to sell or give away unwanted supplies
Crafters looking to get crafting supplies at lower costs
The initial research helped me pinpoint what exists, but in order to provide a solution to the challenges, I needed to listen to what actual crafters had to say.
Competitive Audit
Online Marketplaces: Facebook and eBay facilitate a majority of sales and free giveaways
Huge variety of items from various profiles adds a layer of mental load
Too much to search and navigate through
Local community pages/groups: more tailored online space for craft supplies sales and swaps
Most groups require questionnaires and a moderator’s permission to join
Focused content on specific topics like crafting supplies
Initial User Goal Statement
“As a person who crafts, I want to be able to trade, buy, or sell second-hand crafting supplies with others so that I can try more crafts without paying the full cost for new supplies.”
In this journey map, I envisioned features that would help crafters manage their swaps throughout the entire process
Competitive Audit on similar online marketplaces
Insights from Crafters
At this point in the process, it was time to hear from potential users of the Crafty app concept: DIY artists and crafters! Sourced from my network of connections online, I was able to conduct user interviews, card sorting, Kano analysis surveying, and usability tests. This essential user feedback highlighted what motivates people to participate in online communities. It is not to make a profit or find great deals. What sincerely excites people is the opportunity to see what others around them are working on, explore new crafts, know that the supplies they are handing over will be used, and help someone else enjoy crafting.
Directed Storytelling Interviews
Key Findings:
People do crafts to find peace, focus and to engage in a creative activity they can share with others
3 out of 3 crafters interviewed stated that they use local online community pages to give away unwanted items
Participants like to reach out to their immediate network of friends and family first when looking to give away or try new crafting hobbies
All participants voiced positive feelings about giving away supplies/items and knowing they will be used and appreciated
Crafters enjoy seeing the work and progress of others’ and learning from one another online
Affinity Diagramming of Interview Responses
Card Sorting
Card sorting was also conducted during initial user interviews and provided crucial information on the informational architecture and site mapping for sketches
Kano Analysis
After competitive audits and user interviews, I had a broad idea about what features may improve the user experience. I developed feature cards and a survey to understand what users expect and want from an app like Crafty.
Three highly desired, required, or delighter features based on feedback from 10 participants
Many Sketches and Refocusing Scope Again
Shaped by the findings and responses from user interviews and surveys, I sketched screens outlining the essential user flows. I soon discovered that I was exceeding the constraints of my time limit. With only one week left to build the prototype, conduct usability testing, and then revise my designs, I had to re-focus on what the Crafty app was meant to do: help crafters share/swap their resources and motivate one another in a more transparent, more intuitive way.
Key User Flows
After reconsidering the main goals of users, I concentrated on designing features and pages that would facilitate communication, connection, and Crafty’s unique focus on swapping craft supplies
Landing page with recommended local listings and sorting features
A community page that showcases recent posts and popular community groups
A standardized listing form that would ensure information consistency across all listings
Landing Page
Listing and Swaps
Cart and Check Out
Make a Listing Form
Review Listings
Next Steps
Community Page: Research into architectural diagramming intuitive forum design for ease of use
Inbox and Messaging: Build out the inbox section to support 1:1 messaging to ask questions about listings and discuss sale and swap offers
Profile Page: Develop a profile page that houses general settings, information on past sales and swaps, and verification options to increase security and safety in online interactions.
Finally, being able to test these new designs with users again to gain insights into the clarity and accessibility of features would be paramount before working with developers to create an MVP.