scentify
Mobile app that transforms perfume discovery through personalisation.
Role
UX/UI Designer
Date
July/August 2023
Duration
7 Days
Tools
Sketch
Understanding the need…
Perfume shopping can be overwhelming and time-consuming, with many people struggling to find fragrances that match their personal tastes. After conducting thorough research and analysing the competitive landscape I identified a gap in the market for an app that simplifies and personalises the perfume discovery process. My goal was to create an application that uses personalised algorithms to match users with their ideal scents, enhancing their shopping experience.
and the goal of the project
My goal was to design an app that would revolutionize the way people explore and find perfumes. The app needed to provide a personalised and user-friendly experience, guiding users through a curated selection of scents and helping them discover their perfect match. The challenge was to develop a system that could accurately capture individual preferences and offer tailored recommendations, making the perfume shopping experience both enjoyable and efficient.
conducting SWOT and competitive analysis to identify market gaps and opportunities
During the research phase, I conducted a comprehensive SWOT analysis to understand the landscape of the fragrance app market and identify key areas of opportunity and challenge. Although the Scentify app has not been implemented in the real world, these insights were crucial in shaping the theoretical design and development strategy.
I examined competitors in the fragrance app market and identified strengths and weaknesses in their offerings. These insights have provided valuable learnings and opportunities:
01
Implement a clear and intuitive navigation system that enhances user experience and simplifies exploration of fragrances.
02
Develop a personalised quiz feature that effectively captures user preferences and guides them towards suitable perfume recommendations.
03
Introduce effective category filtering options to ease the discovery of fragrances based on specific user interests and preferences.
04
Enhance the quality and detail of perfume descriptions to provide comprehensive insights that assist users in making informed purchasing decisions.
05
Implement a personalised recommendation system that suggests new perfumes based on users’ past preferences and browsing behavior.
06
Integrate a seamless purchasing option within the app to enable users to directly buy discovered perfumes without leaving the platform.
Understanding Our Users: Identifying Target Audience and Creating Personas
To ensure Scentify truly resonated with its users, it was crucial to identify the target audience and develop detailed personas. This process guaranteed a user-centric design that would meet the needs and preferences of fragrance enthusiasts. By deeply understanding our users, I could tailor every aspect of the app to create a personalised and engaging perfume discovery experience.
Through research, three main groups emerged as the primary users: casual online fragrance shoppers looking for recommendations, perfume enthusiasts eager to explore new scents, and gift buyers seeking the perfect fragrance for others.
Based on these insights, I created detailed personas to represent our core users. Each persona embodied distinct characteristics, motivations, and pain points that guided the design process.
Stepping Into Their Shoes by Creating the empathy maps
Understanding our users on a deeper level required the development of empathy maps. This exercise helped me step into the shoes of our users, revealing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they navigated the world of perfumes. By synthesising these insights, I could better address their needs and pain points in my design.
Tracing the Steps through User Journey
Mapping out the user journey, helped to create a seamless and enjoyable experience for Scentify users. By examining each step users take from discovering the app to finding their perfect scent, I identified key touchpoints and potential pain points. This process highlighted opportunities:
Optimising the Process with Task Flow
Designing the task flows for Scentify involved a detailed analysis of the steps required to complete key actions within the app. By breaking down tasks such as taking the scent quiz, selecting a perfume, and making a purchase, I aimed to minimise friction and maximise efficiency. This planning ensured that each task was intuitive and simplified, making the overall user experience more enjoyable and straightforward.
Discovering Essential App Features Through UX Research
After conducting thorough research and analysing data, I identified key features vital to revolutionising the perfume discovery experience. These features were chosen with the aim of providing users with a seamless and enriching experience, ensuring that each interaction with the app is both delightful and rewarding.
What ‘Scentify’ Really Means? The Secret Behind the Name
By combining ‘scent,’ representing the essence of fragrance, and ‘identify,’ which signifies recognition or pinpointing, ‘Scentify’ suggests a platform where users can explore a variety of scents and identify those that best suit their preferences. It’s like having your own personal scent assistant, simplifying the process of discovering new fragrances that match your unique style and tastes. And just like the scents themselves, ‘Scentify’ is catchy and memorable, leaving a lasting impression on users.
Achieving a Minimal and Modern Aesthetic
I selected a color palette aiming for a minimal, clean, and modern aesthetic. The palette balances light and neutral tones with darker accents, providing a sophisticated and elegant look that complements the high-end and luxurious feel of the app.
Setting the Tone with ‘Philosopher’
In my search for the perfect font, I intentionally restricted the number of fonts to ensure a clean and cohesive design. After careful consideration, I chose ‘Philosopher’ due to its sense of elegance and sophistication. This font gives a high-end and luxurious feel, aligning with the world of perfumes. Additionally, ‘Philosopher’ has good readability, making it suitable for diverse text elements throughout the app.
I want you to experience the final result of Scentify.
Click play to see how this project evolved!
Overcoming Obstacles
One of the project’s main challenges was refining the fragrance profiling quiz. I aimed for a balance: keeping it concise to prevent user overwhelm while ensuring it gathered enough data for accurate recommendations. It took a lot of research and testing to find the right balance between simplicity and effectiveness.
Reflecting on the Process
Throughout this project, I gained invaluable insights and reflections that have profoundly shaped my approach to design. One of the key takeaways was the delicate balance between aesthetics and functionality. I learned that a clean and modern design is not just about visual appeal; it’s a strategic tool to create an intuitive user interface that guides users through the nuanced world of perfumes. Embracing a user-centric design philosophy, I discovered the power of simplicity in making complex processes, like perfume exploration, both enjoyable and accessible.
Get in touch at
viktorijavalaviciute@outlook.com