Case Study: Ernie — Dog Walking App
*This is a case study, highlighting the design process of a dog-walking app
for Dribbble's Product Design course.
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Project Overview
The Challenge:
Dog owners need assistance caring for and walking their pets. There's a gap in the market where dog owners want to connect with dog walkers while trusting their dogs are in safe hands.
The Goal:
Build a mobile-first application that connects dog owners with verified walkers in the desired area as seamlessly as possible.
My Role:
This course gave me the opportunity to wear multiple hats:
Interviews and Competitive Analysis
User Flows and Wireframes
High-Fidelity UI Designs and Prototypes
Branding and Illustrations
Usability Testing and Iterations
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1. Research + Empathize
Competitive Analysis:
In this step of the process, I began with a Competitive Analysis of various
Dog-Walking companies to better understand the competitor's strengths and weaknesses.
Qualitative Interviews:
For this method, I created a Google Form survey to cast a wide net of interviews. I shared the link with close friends, and co-workers who all had pets to get a better insight into their experiences with dog-walking apps.
In my findings, each person had dogs who varied in age and temperament. All want a trusting, reliable dog-walker who is patient, loving, and knowledgable in taking care of dogs of all sizes and ages. Here are a few of their direct quotes:
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2. Define & Plan
User Persona
To serve as a representation of who I am designing for, I created a user persona named, Emma. In this part of the design process, I gathered insights and group notes from the survey to form common themes. Through this method, I was able to understand the user's needs, define product requirements, and create a plan to design the product's features.
User Flow
The best way to conceptualize the structural component and functionality of the app was to create a user flow. For this user experience, I created a guide for a first-time dog-walking app user, the user is able to get a preview of the app's services without needing to sign-up/log in. As the user proceeds through the onboarding, they are met with a forced action that prompts the user to create an account, in order to continue to use the app's services to book a dog walker.
This mapping helped identify which areas in the app needed more focus. To consider the business and user goals, the journey has to have fewer bells and whistles and maintain a clear flow that allows the user to develop trust, while seamlessly finding a dog walker and confirming a job.
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3. Ideate
Wireframes
After identifying which areas needed focus, I created low-fidelity designs to provide a clear outline of the page structure, user flow, and its intended behavioral functionality.
Once settling on the placement and flow of information, I created high-fidelity wireframes to show the layout a bit more polished. Along with an exploration of visual designs and solidifying a design system.
Mood Board
To demonstrate the overall look and feel I created a mood board, to express visually how I wanted users to feel when navigating through the Ernie app.
Overall feeling:
Whimsical-70s
Contemporary
Friendly
Bold
Target Demographic:
Considering the persona, Emma, the overall aesthetic of this app uses bold pops of color and a contemporary design that would appeal to Millennials and Gen-Z.
Goal:
To make users feel comfortable and trusted while using the app. This is achievable by the approachable design interface and friendly brand voice shown by the copy, illustrations, and color palette.
Behind The Name & Logo:
“Ernie”
In dedication to my boyfriend's parent's Havanese dog Ernesto, he came into my life while I was finishing college. Whenever I needed a pick me up, or take a break from my studies, I would find time on the weekends to visit Ernesto. It was through him that I found peace and therapeutic pleasure during our walks around nature.
Logo
A custom-made logomark inspired by the whimsical-70's B and W seen in the mood board is meant to feel friendly and approachable. The Ernie Logo Illustration is a drawing of Ernesto, posed on an enlarged dog tag of his nickname.
Visual Explorations
Design System
By ensuring consistency and familiarity I created a design system that allows the user's experience to flow seamlessly through all points of contact. During this stage, I ensure that the content passes the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines while also aligning with the brand's essence.
Here I share what is included in the UI Kit:
Color Palette
Text Styles
Components
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4. Prototype
Testing
In this iterative process, I created a prototype and used one of the best ways to test a design and see the transition work between screens. Interacting through mirror mode in Figma on your phone really helps see the work in context while rapidly creating edits and updates.
After tweaking the design from the first feedback, I ran it again with a second participant and luckily, everything flows seamlessly. Wooof!
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You've reached the end!
Outcome & Results:
In my research, I discovered that most people hesitate to use dog-walking apps because they don't trust if dog-walkers could handle a dog with behavioral issues, or dogs who are young and still needs training. Luckily, this is resolved via the app's services and the Ernie guarantee. In the Ernie dog-walking app, users are guaranteed that each walker is certified and vetted to care for pets of all ages and sizes.
I thoroughly enjoyed working on this project. I come from a brand design background and moving through the various stages of product design was an excellent learning experience.
Watch out design world, there's a new designer who acquired a new skill ✨
Thank you for joining along and reading my case study!
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Contact
If you're curious and would like to talk more about this case study, collaborate, or just want to make a new friend ✌🏻✨
I am available for hire
(and for stimulating conversations)
More about myself can be found here: