Take the Lead - Dog Walking App
About
Take the Lead is an app design concept catering for dog owners that sometimes need help caring for and walking their dogs. Take the Lead has been made with the focus on considering how we can help dog owners trust their dogs are in safe hands.
User Research
User research is an essential aspect of app design, as it helps me understand the needs, motivations, and behaviours of the people who will be using the app. This understanding is critical for creating an app that is useful, usable, and enjoyable for the user.
User Research Conclusion
It seems there is quite a big reception for a dog walking service, however the main issues revolve around trust and that there is dog is in good hands.
Therefore there needs to be thought into how we can gain the trust of these dog owners, either via some kind of user vetting or other method. As without the trust of the owner, the app will never gain traction.
User Flows
User flows are a visual representation of the steps a user takes in order to complete a specific task or achieve a specific goal within the app. They help me identify the key actions and decision points that a user needs to navigate in order to successfully use the app.
By identifying the key user flow, I can ensure that the wireframes support the most important tasks and goals of the user, and that the user experience is smooth and intuitive.
Wireframing
Wireframing allows me to quickly and easily test and iterate on different layout and navigation concepts, and helps to ensure that the final design meets the needs of the user.
Visual Design
I selected some of my preferred wireframes and used them as the foundation for the visual design. To guide the direction of the design, I created a mood board. This process resulted in the final design displayed below.
User Testing
Wiring up a functional prototype and reaching out to the same set of people from my user research for them to test, with the aim to see if I have directly helped solve their problems. Here’s what they had to say.
Great design, really bright and friendly.
Love the tracker feature, it gives added reassurance to know where your dog is and that they’re getting a sufficient walk.
The ability to choose and solo walk or a group would be nice
A clear and user friendly app which has a lot of engaging elements to it. The simplicity is definitely a bonus.
In Summary
I am satisfied with the overall outcome of the app. Thoroughly understanding the user in the early stages helped guide the development process and resulted in a successful final product. However, there is room for improvement, as suggested by user feedback. I will be incorporating these suggestions into the design and releasing a revised version soon.
