Role
UI/UX Designer
Duration
May 2022 - June 2022
Tool
Figma
Overview
The goal of this responsive website is to create a space with useful information for all pet adopters. Here, they can find their best match and tips/advice to consider when adopting a new pet creating a better adoption experience.
Problem
Complicated adoption processes, lack of information on pet cards and first time adopters struggling to navigate through most Animal Shelter websites are some of the main pain points discovered.
Goal
Our Responsive Website for Animal Haven will allow users to view a variety of pets that line up well to their needs and lifestyle. Providing valuable information for first time adopters and a simplistic process of adopting and meeting their new pet companion.
I conducted interviews and created empathy maps to understand the users I’m designing for and their needs. A primary user group identified through research were young adults who already owned a dog or cat or would consider adopting a pet of their own.
This user group confirmed the initial assumptions about pet shelter customers, but research has also revealed that lack of information wasn’t the only factor limiting users from adopting. Other user problems included a complicated adoption process and not really catered towards first time adopters. These challenges made it difficult for people to consider adopting and fully committing to the whole process of it.
​
Three main pain points that I took away from these interviews were...
Lack of Information
A lack of information related to the pet creating less reassurance.
First Time Adopters
​Some adopting websites are quite complicated and overwhelming for a new pet adopter.
Adoption Process
Complicated navigational system leaving users unsure with the process of adoption.
Competitive Audit
Goal: compare the viewing and purchasing experience of each competitor’s app
​
Arizona Animal Welfare League is located in Phoenix, Arizona and they’re known to be the biggest no kill animal shelter in the country. As well as being a leader in volunteer opportunities, medical care, behavior training and humane education in animal welfare.
​
Humane Society of Sarasota County is a private non profit organization that is also considered as a no kill shelter. Known for their great training and behavioral programs and veterinary staff they provide many services and information for all pet adopters.
​
Pet Haven Minnesota is one of the oldest pet welfare organizations founded in 1952 where they proudly wear the badge of Minnesosta’s first foster based animal rescue organization. Their main mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs and cats to reduce pet overpopulation.
​
New York Bully Crew is a non profit that mainly focuses on pit bull breeds that have been abused and neglected. Rescuing pit bulls and providing them with all the necessary medical care while also working to find them a loving home.
​
The Research
Personas
From the conducted interviews I developed two personas that represented the needs of a larger group of users.
Paper Wireframe
My goal of this wireframe was to create an easy way to access adoptable dogs and cats from the home page and to provide very simple steps for users to navigate through the app by adding universal button logos.
Sitemap
Low Fidelity
Home Page
Adopt Page
Adoption Selection Page
Dog Profile Page
Donate Page
Volunteer Page
Resources Page
Vet Service Page
About Us Page
High Fidelity
Home Page
Color Palette
#6C7D47
#575C55
#F9F9F9
#FFFFFF
Adopt Page
Dog Selection Page
Dog Profile Page
Donate Page
Volunteer Page
Resources Page
Vet Service Page
About Us Page
Usability Study
To determine the efficiency of the design and usability within the user interface of the interactive prototype, I conducted two usability tests. The first usability study was done through a series of interviews guiding the design of the wireframes to the mockup. The second study was used to refine the high fidelity prototype and complete the final product.
Post observation feedback provided the likes and dislikes of the overall website and their recommendations for improvement. Such as providing a pricing fee for pets and images of the shelter to provide a sense of trust and comfort for the user.
I was able to accommodate these changes through observing the errors and issues during the usability testing. While also using other research such as creating a journey map to determine the navigation and usability of the site.
​
Take Away
Our target users have shared their enthusiasm about how the design was simple to navigate through and appreciated the great detail provided in the pet cards with additional information for new coming adopters.
​
Overall this project has provided me a lot of knowledge about researching and designing a responsive website. I hope to create more designs for apps and websites that will challenge me to be more innovative and provide a great user experience.