The WoofPack: PetCare App
The WoofPack
A fun, dog loving community of trusted pet caretakers. We’re more than just a dog walking app. The Pack’s Got Your Back.
00 Overview
The Brief
Using the product design process research, ideate, strategize, and develop a mobile app that connects dog walkers and dog owners. There were two main problems faced in developing this app:
Building trust between the pet caretakers and dog owners
Creating an app that had a variety of services and flexible pet caretakers to meet the individual needs of each dog.
My Roles
User Research & Competitive Analysis
User Flows & Wireframes
High-fidelity UI designs & Prototypes
Branding & Illustrations
Usability
Testing & Iterations
Team Roles
Ideation & Affinity Mapping
Tools
Figma/FigJam
01 Research
User Research
At the beginning of the project, I conducted research with three users and three non-users of dog-walking apps for six total interviews. Throughout my interviews, many of the same themes came up. Non-users of dog-walking apps were concerned about trusting strangers with their pets. They haven’t tried the current services available because they didn’t want people they didn’t know entering their homes. On top of the lack of trust, users and non-users alike felt frustration around the lack of variety of services that pet apps provide. Many people want more than just a dog-walking app.
“Among the dog walking apps I've tried, I haven't found one that provides all the services my dog, Roscoe, needs. Roscoe is getting older and requires additional care while I'm away at work. However, I don't want just anybody to come and take care of him; they need to have experience with this specific
type of care.”
Parker M.
Past User of a Dog Walking App
Market Research
I spent most of my time researching the two leading dog-walking apps, Wag and Rover. I downloaded both apps and spent time exploring their features. Other research showed there may be several different apps to utilize for dog walking purposes, yet, they also include a variety of other options and do not necessarily specialize in pet care. Rover and Wag seem to be the only two trusted and widely used dog-walking apps.
User Persona
As I set out on my journey to solve two problems with one app, I created one user persona with the main pain points I was finding in my research phase. I wanted to make sure I was solving their problems, so every time I made a decision I referenced user persona, Jess, to align my priorities.
02 App Development
User Flow
After the research phase, I began mapping out how I wanted dog walkers and pet caretakers to experience my app, screen by screen. I wanted this app to be very easy to understand from get-go. My user flow guides the user through each screen with minimal decision-making, making the "Sign-Up" and "Book a Pet Caretaker" Flows quick and painless. Throughout my research and as an app user myself, I also found that many people like to look through an app or test it out before signing up. This was an important aspect I wanted to build into The WoofPack user flow.
Wireframing
I began wireframing the main flows of this app: the sign up/log in flow and book a pet caretaker flow. I started with quick sketches which then turned into high-fidelity wireframes. The main focus was providing a great user experience that eased the user through each step of the process without confusion.
Visual Designs
Coming from a graphic design background, the visual design of this app was very important to me. I wanted to make something unique and fun that keeps users engaged while at the same time developing a sense of creditability, trust, and loyalty.
The choice of green and blue colors in The WoofPack app reflects a calming and nurturing atmosphere, which aligns with the essence of pet care and promotes a sense of tranquility and trust among pet owners. The incorporation of a retro outline design style adds a touch of nostalgia and playfulness, creating a visually appealing and distinctive experience that resonates with pet owners who seek a unique and memorable interface.
03 Prototype & Test
Prototyping
Once I completed my visual designs, I began prototyping. I was intentional about the type of animations and movements I used. I incorporated smooth movements and a tap-through design style to enhance the user experience by providing a seamless and intuitive navigation flow.
- 01 Prototype: Sign Up
- 02 Prototype: Book a Pet Caretaker
04 Conclusion
Outcome & Results
Throughout my discovery process and continual research, I learned many people will not use a dog walking app because they feel they can’t trust the dog walker or the app doesn’t provides all the services they need.
I believe The WoofPack is the solution to these problems.
WoofPack Pet Caretakers are required to have background checks, onboarding education and certifications, as well as, mandatory and optional further training.
The WoofPack Community offers a variety of services for a range of pet care needs
Thanks for reading my case study!