UX/UI Design

Pet Wash App

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This was an individual project assigned in my UX design course, where the instructor provided a list of potential businesses for which to design. I chose to create an app for a “Pet Grooming Salon.” The primary objective was to design a user-friendly and intuitive mobile app, with a strong focus on UX, that would address the specific needs of pet owners seeking grooming services. Additionally, the instructor encouraged us to develop creative features to deliver an innovative solution to common pain points. My project focused on solving user challenges while enhancing the overall experience through thoughtful design.

THE PROBLEM

Pet owners, especially busy professionals and first-time pet owners, often need help to select a grooming service. They may be concerned about the safety of their pets, unsure of how their pets will look post-grooming or overwhelmed by the process of booking appointments. Additionally, many struggle to visualize different grooming styles for their pets, making it harder to commit to a grooming service.

THE SOLUTION

The app I designed addresses these concerns by offering a seamless and engaging user experience. One of the standout features is the “AI grooming tool”, which allows users to upload a photo of their dog and visualize different haircut styles before making an appointment. This feature helps build trust and reduces anxiety by giving pet owners a clear picture of what to expect. The app also simplifies the booking process, offering flexible scheduling options and personalized grooming packages to cater to different needs. With easy navigation and clear information, users can confidently book a grooming session that suits both their schedule and their pets' needs.

RESEARCH METHODS

While we didn’t conduct surveys, the instructor encouraged us to perform “online research” to compare similar businesses and understand the target market. I also conducted an “empathy map” exercise to dive deeper into the user’s thoughts, feelings, and concerns throughout their journey with the grooming salon. This approach helped me identify key pain points and areas of opportunity in the app's user experience, allowing me better to align the design with the needs of pet owners.

USER PERSONA

After researching, we developed user personas to help visualize the understanding of users.

PAIN POINTS:

  • Difficulty finding the time to take Max to grooming appointments.

  • Uncertainty about which grooming style suits Max best.

  • Limited knowledge of breed-specific grooming standards, making decisions harder.

USER FLOW

After researching, I had an idea of how the app should flow for this user persona. To start with this case and eliminate any assumptions, I made a user flow of how the user will use the application. I identified the screen flow of the app so the user can reach a solution or satisfaction.

First Round of Sketches

User flow after sketching

SKETCHES AND WIREFRAMES

Keeping all these things in mind, I started making the sketches for the layout of our app. I created the sketches after brainstorming all the ideas and layouts from the sketches and then created our first version of low-fidelity wireframes.

USER NEEDS IN EACH STAGE:

1. Open Mobile App

  • User’s Goal: To learn more about the grooming service because their dog needs grooming.

  • Challenges/Concerns: "Is this service trustworthy?" "Will my dog be safe?" “I don’t know how my dog will look after the grooming." "Should I stick with my regular groomer?".

  • Emotions: The user may feel anxious, nervous, and unsure about trying a new service for their beloved pet.

  • Next Actions: They might seek additional information by checking the service’s social media or reading reviews to establish trust.

2. Make an Appointment

  • User's Goal: To schedule an appointment that fits their busy schedule.

  • Challenges/Concerns: "How do I make an appointment?" "What do their services cost?" "Will they have availability?" "Why do I need to create an account? I don’t want more junk emails."

  • Emotions: Feel relief and excitement as they move closer to booking but are hesitant about sharing personal information like their email.

  • Next Actions: They might explore the guest booking option to avoid account creation if possible.

3. Visualize the Dog’s Haircut Using the AI Tool

  • User’’s Goal: To visualize what their dog will look like after the grooming.

  • Challenges/Concerns: "Are these actual grooming styles?" "Will my dog look like this?"

  • Emotions: The user may feel curious and intrigued yet still unsure about the accuracy of the AI visualization.

  • Next Actions: They might check the Instagram gallery to compare actual results and verify the styles.

4. Create an Account / Login

  • User’’s Goal: To book an appointment and move forward with the grooming service.

  • Challenges/Concerns: "Is this process complicated?" "How much does the service cost?

  • Emotions: They feel uncertain, especially about how the cost fits into their budget.

  • Next Actions: They may save their login information and continue exploring the app to learn more about costs and services.

5. Provide Pet Info

  • User’s Goal: To personalize the grooming experience by sharing important details about their dog.

  • Emotions: The user starts to feel reassured and builds trust, sensing that the service genuinely cares about their pet’s needs.

  • Next Actions: They provide detailed information to ensure the service can meet their pet’s grooming requirements.

 6. Choose a Service

  • User’s Goal: To understand the grooming options and what’s included in the service.

  • Challenges/Concerns: The user might reconsider if the service is too expensive or doesn’t offer enough value.

  • Emotions: There may be some hesitation about whether the price matches their expectations.

  • Next Actions: They could compare different service packages or seek clarification on what is included before deciding.

7. Select Stylist and Date

  • User’s Goal: To book a date and time that works with their schedule and choose a preferred stylist.

  • Challenges/Concerns: "Who are the stylists?" "Will I be able to choose the time I want?" Emotions: They may feel uncertain about the stylists, especially if they don’t have enough information to make an informed choice.

  • Next Actions: They might select a default stylist or the next available slot that fits their schedule without overthinking it.

8. Review Appointment

  • User’s Goal: To double-check the details of their appointment and confirm everything is correct.

  • Challenges/Concerns: Ensuring the appointment details are accurate.

  • Emotions: They might feel more at ease once everything is confirmed but remain alert for any follow-up communication.

  • Next Actions: They’ll check for confirmation emails or messages and may follow up with a call if needed to ensure everything is in order.

Branding

For the branding of the app, I selected fonts and colors that reflect a friendly and approachable vibe, which would resonate well with my target market of pet owners.

Typography:

I chose “Agbalumo” for the title font and “Urbanish” for the body and subtitles. Agbalumo’s bold and playful character adds a sense of warmth and personality, while Urbanish is modern and clean, ensuring readability across different devices. This combination creates a balance between playful and professional, appealing to pet enthusiasts who value both style and clarity in a digital experience.

Color Palette:

To emphasize friendliness and approachability, I selected “#FFAB6E” (a soft, warm orange) and “#36ACDC” (a calm, cool blue) as the primary colors.

  • #FFAB6E evokes energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, which helps convey a sense of care and comfort in the grooming experience.

  • #36ACDC brings a feeling of trust and reliability, reassuring users that their pets are in safe hands.

This friendly and vibrant branding appeals to pet owners who want a professional yet approachable grooming service for their pets, enhancing the overall user experience.

FINAL DESIGN

Conclusion

This project allowed me to deeply explore the UX side of mobile app design while focusing on solving real-world problems for pet owners. By integrating creative features like the AI grooming tool, I was able to offer a practical solution to common user concerns, such as visualizing their pet’s haircut and simplifying the booking process. The careful consideration of branding—through font and color choices—further reinforced the friendly, approachable tone that is key for building trust with users.

What I Learned

Throughout this project, I gained valuable insights into the importance of understanding user needs and aligning the app’s functionality with their concerns. I learned how to perform thorough online research and build empathy maps, which helped me better understand the user journey and tailor the app to their emotions at each stage. Additionally, focusing on UX taught me how small design choices—such as typography and color—can significantly impact the user’s perception of the brand. This project sharpened my skills in creating intuitive interfaces and reaffirmed the importance of user-centered design.