The Process

Research

While I knew what I want out of this app, I wanted to verify if other designers had the same issues or if they would benefit from this application. So I began my research process by reaching out to designers on social media, some with great influence and others with average followers. I asked for their feedback via a short questionnaire. Here are the questions they were asked:

1. If you sew clothes for clients or yourself, do you store or write down their measurements? And measurements of the design?

2. If yes to question 1, where or how do you store it? In a book, on phone? Where on phone?

3. Would an app that stores all this information be helpful? (i.e your clients name, measurements, pattern pictures and or measurements, final dress pictures? OR product name, dimensions, pictures)

4. Will an option to create a portfolio out of all the pictures stored on the app be useful?

5. Anything you would love for the app to do?

In analyzing their responses, I realized they shared one major pain point and that is, the inconvenience and limitations of using a notebook. I also got a few comments on how helpful it would be if there was a way to set client appointments.

Next, I searched to find out if there were mobile applications in existence that are meant to solve the same problems. I came across a handful of apps however, they came with so many limitations. I narrowed them down to 3 applications I felt came the closest to being competitors for Designers Vault. They are Tailor Book - Measurement Diary, Tailors Notebook, and Measurement Book.

Lastly, I gathered tremendously helpful user feedback by reading the reviews on these apps and the feature requests users were making. Users had the same frustrations across all 3 applications.

Competitive Analysis

Pain Points

With all the information gathered, I was able to summarize the frustrations users currently have.

Those who have no idea certain apps exist and are still using a notebook expressed they were outdated and tedious and that they would love an app that could do that for them and also suggested appointment setting capabilities. Users of apps that currently exist are frustrated that these apps don’t allow edits to preset measurement fields, don’t allow addition of own fields, no back-up option so all data isn’t lost, limited language options doesn’t allow for a greater percentage of the public to utilize them, inability to add and share images of work-in-progress for customer approval or edits and the inability to add notes.

Focus Points

This led me to create a list of features that needs to be incorporated into the app to allow for a great user experience.

1. Add own measurement fields

2. Edit preset fields

3. Back-up capability

4. Multiple language options

5. Take/upload photos

6. Share photos

7. Ability to add notes

8. Schedule appointments

Next, I was able to define our personas with all the knowledge gathered and deductions made.

Personas

Sketches

Once I analyzed the pain and key focus points, i sketched out what the “settings” and “Menu” will look like since majority of the solutions will be placed under them.

 Clickthrough Prototype