The Challenge
The challenge was to create an app to centralize the process of reporting and searching for lost pets in a way that was simple and intuitive for pet owners, rescuers, and non-profit organizations in Maracaibo, Venezuela. While social media was commonly used for this task, it lacked organization and search capabilities, making it difficult for users to find report about missing pet effectively. The goal was to simplify things and create a dedicated platform that could bring clarity to the process searching and reporting missing pets.
Research
As a pet owner myself (and someone who’s always had pets), this project was very close to my heart. I noticed that there was an unmet need for an easier way to report a pet being lost or found in my city, besides posting on social media. I realized that what this community needed was a product that could centralize their efforts and help them connect more easily with lost animals, as well as pet owners searching for their missing friends. To better understand the needs of the community, I conducted surveys and interviews with local rescuers and pet owners. Their feedback revealed a lot of frustration with using social media and validated the asumptions I had about the need for a dedicated platform that could simplify these efforts.
Ideation
With their feedback in hand, I began mapping the user journey and defining the app’s key features. Users needed to quickly report lost or found pets and search for matches. The goal was to make the experience quick and accessible, with simple search filters, easy pet description inputs, and intuitive contact features. I first created wireframes to visualize these core functionalities and made sure they would allow users to navigate the app and achieve their goals without confusion or frustration.
Design
I designed a clean, user-friendly interface with an intuitive bottom navigation to access each section. I wanted to make sure that users could quickly report or search for missing pets with minimal effort. The app’s visual design used playful colors and icons to create a welcoming environment for pet owners and rescuers alike. In addition to the app’s interface, I also created its brand identity. I called it "Pawsies". The brand was designed to be friendly and trustworthy, resonating with the community of pet lovers and rescuers who would use it.
Testing and Iteration
After developing some high-fidelity prototypes, I tested them with a small group of users. The feedback was positive overall, but it also highlighted areas for improvement, such as additional search filters and a more prominent contact feature. I refined the design based on their feedback, making sure that the app was even easier to use and more effective. What was especially encouraging was hearing from not just pet owners and rescuers, but from other users who saw potential in applying this concept to other lost-and-found situations.
Key Learnings
- – Designing for a community-based platform requires a deep understanding of their needs and behaviors.
- – Simplifying user flows to reduce friction is key to making an app intuitive for all kinds of users.
- – A niche app can have broader potential if it effectively solves a problem that resonates with its target users.
Conclusion
Working on Pawsies was a deeply personal and rewarding experience. The opportunity to design a product that could make the lives of people who work tirelessly to save animals much easier meant a lot to me. This project allowed me to sharpen my skills in user research, while also reinforcing the power of design to make a real impact in a community.