Product Overview

Blitz is made to be a simple solution for pet owners to feel confident when they need someone to pet-sit their furry friends. The app provides users with access to a network of reliable and trustworthy dog walkers who can take care of their pets when they are too busy to do so themselves. Blitz's mission is to make pet care stress-free and convenient so that pet owners can focus on other important aspects of their lives.

Role

Product Designer

Responsibilities

User research, market research, user flow, prototyping, user experience, user interface, wireframing

Tools

Figma

Understanding the User

User Research

To understand the needs of pet owners, I conducted research through surveys and interviews using a questionnaire designed to gather information about their dog walking habits and experience with pet sitters.

2 people were interviewed through surveys

1 in-person interview

Pain Points

Market Research

Taking a look at existing apps such as Rover and Wag!, it became clear that there is a large demand for pet sitting and walking services. I was able to make observations on the strengths and weaknesses of each app to better understand how to design a successful dog walking app.

Persona

To understand our user better, I created a persona, "Molly Ross", a busy professional who has a furry friend but struggles to find time to walk her dog due to work commitments.

User Flow

Based on the information gathered from research, the user flow was created to identify each step in the process of signing up for Blitz. While creating this user flow, the goal was to make the process as simple and intuitive as possible for users like Molly.

Ideation, wireframing and prototyping

Using Figma, I began ideating and exploring various design solutions that would address the pain points identified in the user research phase. After reviewing and identifying key features needed for the app, I created the wireframes to visualize the layout and basic functionality of each screen. The main focus was to keep the interface simple and easy to use while prioritizing trust and safety.

I used these wireframes to map out the basic structure of the app and translate the user flow into a visual representation.

Visual Direction

Throughout the visual design process, I created multiple designs for the app interface to get a better understanding of what elements work. Creating a user-friendly experience was kept in mind through each stage of the development process, resulting in a product that is intuitive and easy to navigate for users. Another important factor was creating the app to be approachable and to have users feel like they're leaving their dog with a friend by using fun colours and illustrations.

Usability Testing

Once the prototype was complete, I ran two tests with dog owners to get feedback on the functionality and usability of the app. Based on findings from user one, changes were made to the scheduling feature as well as the sign-up process. Both users overall found the app to be friendly and approachable, with useful features that met their needs as busy professionals who care about their pets.

Prototype

Try the flow for yourself here!

Takeaways

Designing Blitz was an exciting process. Through the use of user-centered design techniques, market research and testing, I was able to pinpoint the specific needs of busy pet owners to create an app that addresses them simply and intuitively.

Thanks for reading!

Feel free to reach out in the comments to share your thoughts & questions!