OVERVIEW
Objective
Identify the root cause of why people are not using pet management and pet care applications.
Understand why user are not utilizing automatic feeders for their pets.
Uncover and address users' frustrations related to pet care.
Outcomes
Users can remotely control and set up feeding schedules for the automatic feeder, including setting precise times and food quantities.
Simplified setup process that reduces user frustration and encourages the use of the automatic feeder.
Enhanced user satisfaction by addressing key frustrations, resulting in a more intuitive and reliable pet care experience.
The Challenge
01
Users were confused about the offerings of the pet care application, making it difficult for them to understand its value and benefits.
02
Users' frustrations and pain points were widespread across multiple fields and categories, making it difficult to pinpoint specific areas for improvement.
03
Finding participants who accurately represented our target audience for research was challenging.
How might we help potential customers make pet care easier and more convenient?
Research
Understanding the Market Landscape
Our competitive analysis focused on evaluating similar pet care apps to identify best practices and gaps in the market. This allowed us to position MeowMate with unique features that address users' needs more effectively than the competition.
Key Takeaways
01
All three apps provide core functionalities like automatic feeding and remote device management.
02
Whiskers distinguishes itself with integrated shopping options and support for managing multiple cat profiles
03
Petlibro differentiates itself with video capabilities and features that support pet care learning.
04
Buddies leads the pack by offering a robust rewards program and exceptional customer care, making it the most feature-rich choice.
Surveyed 25 users, mainly cat owners, to assess frustrations with pet care apps, helping us identify common issues and specific needs across pet owners.
Conducted contextual inquiry interviews with 18 users (aged 22-40) to explore their experiences with service integration, ease of use, and automatic feeder functionalities, focusing on pain points and feature preferences.
Users emphasized challenges with automatic feeders, including setup difficulties, finding vet appointments, and monitoring their pets' diets effectively.
Key Takeaways
01
90% of respondents have one pet, and 92% feel concerned about leaving their pet alone.
02
44.8% monitor their cat's diet, and only 36.4% find vet services accessible.
03
Ideation
From Ideas to Insights
Exploring the User Path
User journey mapping visualizes the entire MeowMate experience. This process highlights key touchpoints, identifies pain points, and ensures a seamless user experience.
Mapping User Flow
User flow maps the path users take to achieve their goals within the app, from initial access to exploring features and completing tasks. This includes setting up and linking the automatic feeder, creating a cat's profile, and monitoring the diet.
Lo-Fi wireframes
The wireframes aimed to simplify and enhance user experience with intuitive navigation, easy access to key features, and a home screen displaying feeding schedules and health tools. The streamlined setup process ensures a smooth configuration, offering a user-friendly interface for both new and experienced pet owners.
Testing
From Concepts to Clarity
"I wasn’t sure if my changes were saved because there was no confirmation."
"I love how easy it is to check my pet's food schedules."
Implementing Feedback
Final Design
Visual Designs
With a carefully crafted design, it ensures effortless navigation, making pet care, supplies, and services easily accessible. The Ul encapsulates a warm and welcoming vibe, aligning with the love and care you have for your furry companions.
It's not just an app; it's a companion in your pet care journey.
Lessons Learned
Retrospective
01
Personal growth in leadership
Leading a UX project for the first time was both challenging and enlightening. I learned the value of collaborative decision-making, leveraging diverse team perspectives, user feedback, and stakeholder input to tackle complex challenges. This approach not only improved the quality of our solutions but also honed my leadership skills. I learned to balance speed with quality and adapt strategies as new information emerged, ultimately enhancing my ability to lead effectively under pressure.
02
Learnings
We learned the importance of prioritizing based on user feedback, allowing us to deliver meaningful improvements within tight deadlines. We also gained insights into user interactions with feeding technology, shaping future iterations.
03
Challenges and Obstacles
Time constraints limited the implementation of features like vet appointments and remote interaction. Technical challenges with integrating the automatic feeder required extra resources.