Problem

We started by researching competitor apps with the same product offering as we had. This was to highlight any pain points the users felt using similar products. We also set out to identify ways the current products could be improved upon.The core problems included a lack of automation, not getting a fair market value for goods swapped, and lack of trust in other swappers.

Lack of automation

No fair market value

Lack of trust

Goals

Spend Less Time Listing An Item

We want to improve the flow of listing an item, so users can spend less time listing an item.

Creating A More Personalised Experience

We are adding a wish list feature that would enable users to list items they want to acquire.The homepage of a user would be personalised based on both their wish list and the items they own for trade.

Introducing A Grading System

The grading system which would be based on some factors like ratings by popular critics, audience ratings, price, age, location, market demand etc. would be used to grade items so users can be better informed about the value of the trades they are making.

User Flow

From the design sprints, we were able to finalise the features to be included in the app that would best serve the needs of the users and fulfil the needs of an MVP.We designed the user flows for various features to be included in the app.

These user flows were generated from the general flow of what a successful user journey through the app looks like.The holistic view from a user registering on the platform to a successful trade is shown below.

User Testing

We conducted a moderated remote usability testing session where users were given tasks and asked to think aloud as they completed the tasks. The major changes based on users' feedback are listed below.

Adding Multiple Platforms For A Single Game

Previously we didn't design the flow for when a user wants to list a game for more than one platform (eg Xbox and PS4). Now we added the ability to select multiple platforms when adding an item.

request items not yet listed on the app

The app contains a list of previously added items which could be listed by users, this was to reduce the time a user would spend listing an item.

Now, we added a feature that would let users request items not available on the app.

cancel a trade after it has been accepted

We added the ability to cancel a trade after it has been accepted. This would be useful if during the exchange, the item doesn't match the item listed.

Final Designs

After some more iterations, the designs were finalised. The finalised designs are shown below.

Swift Onboarding Process

We wanted to make the onboarding process for first time users fast. The goal for the user here is to list an item they own and see a personalized recommendation of items they can swap with.

To get the attention of the user, we removed all the navigation links in the navigation bar and made the sign up button the only action that can be performed.

Personalised recommendations and homepage

After a user is logged in, we designed a mini dashboard that shows alerts and recommended trades to the user.The alerts feature is to help users stay on top of trades they are making, while the recommendations would be based on data gathered from the user.

Initiating a trade

We wanted the process of initiating a trade to be as intuitive and easy as possible. We wanted it to be no more than three steps as this would be the main user flow users of platform will perform.

Accepting a trade request

One of the feature users will engage with the most is the trades feature which gives users an interface to see all the trades they are engaged with.

For accepting or rejecting a trade, we wanted to display all the relevant information without cluttering the screen. A user would be able to make the decision to move forward with the trade or not just from the first glance.

Adding Items to tradable items/Wishlist

Users have the ability to add items to the list of their tradable items or wish list.

This feature is particularly useful because the trades they would be allowed to make on the platform is dependent on the items they have in their lists. We went through several iterations to shorten the time a user would spend on this task.

Messaging Feature

We added a messaging feature because this is where the trades would be finalised. After users accept a trade, they are taken to a chat interface where they can interact with the other users before the swap happens.

Takeaway

Ask more questions

One thing about handling a product that doesn't look familiar is that it can be made simpler by asking the right questions, conducting research, and sharing ideas with other people.

Know the why

Knowing why a product exists or why it's trying to solve a problem helps a lot in coming up with ideas that are better targeted toward solving the users' needs.

I want to thank all those I worked with, they added immense value to my experience as a product designer.

Other Projects

Case Study

FTH Daily

FTH Daily is a subscription-based e-grocery app that delivers groceries to users' homes on a recurring basis.

View Case Study

Calcurriculum Web

Calcurriculum is a website that helps districts adopt and implement instructional materials by providing independent reviews.

Learn More

Timeline - 3 months

Platform - Web

My Role - Lead Product Designer