SIMPLEWOOD

Combining Luxury and Comfort, Made just for you

Overview

SIMPLWOOD was a fictional furniture design company I created for my UX minor unit at Swinburne University. The main focus for this particular project is on functionality and interaction design. I was able to learn about different designing concept such as Interface Metaphors and Design/Layout Principles.

I worked on the project for three months, it was a busy but rewarding time where I went through the whole project cycle - researching , designing, wireframing, prototyping, user testing and review.

Tasks

  • Competitor Research

  • User Observation

  • Activity Diagram

  • Customer’s Journey Map

  • Affinity Diagram

  • Wireframing

  • Prototyping

  • User Testing and Review

  • Heuristic Evaluation

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Tools

  • Photoshop

  • InDesign

  • Illustrator

  • Procreate

  • Axure RP 10

  • Miro

Research

Competitor Research

I conducted an analysis of a competitor's website, specifically focusing on functionality and user experience.
In brief, the website's functionality is satisfactory, but it falls short in terms of interactive elements, such as user reviews and ratings. Additionally, there is a lack of detailed product information, resulting in an overall one-sided feel. This limitation in engagement ultimately diminishes user satisfaction.

User Observation

Several main observations can be made after spending a considerable amount of time in a local furniture store.

  1. Customers like to FEEL the texture and material used on the furniture

  2. Customers often express frustration when tasked with measuring the dimensions of products, particularly larger furniture items like bed frames.

  3. Customers predominantly opt for self-service most of the time.

UX Recommendation

Based on the above observations, several UX recommendations can already be proposed to satisfy customers’ needs.

  1. “Customers like to FEEL the texture and material used on the furniture”
    Unfortunately, the current technological limitations prevent customers from physically touching the textures through their screens. Nevertheless, we can address this by incorporating alternative media, such as close-up shots of the materials, to offer a comparable 'sensation' that provides customers with a better understanding of the material's feel.

2. “Customers often express frustration when tasked with measuring the dimensions of products, particularly larger furniture items like bed frames.”
The inclusion of a comprehensive photograph showcasing the product along with precise measurements is recommended for placement in the product page carousel.

3. “Customers predominantly opt for self-service most of the time”
Comprehensive and detailed information is essential for customers, but it shouldn't take center stage. To enhance user experience, consider placing the detailed information within an accordion section, positioned just below a concise product description.

User Activity Diagram

Customer’s Journey Map

Affinity Diagram

DESIGN

Wireframing and Prototyping

After a week of research, I started crafting the site map and initial paper drafts for the website layout, integrating interactive features. Our main goal is a straightforward approach, especially since our audience is mainly adults and seniors. Simplifying things helps prevent confusion.

Using Axure RP 10, I developed a high-fidelity prototype meticulously illustrating all interactions within the system.

Review and Redesigning

Heuristic Evaluation

Two evaluations were conducted, one by a classmate and the other by myself, identifying two issues in the check-out form

  1. Lack of error prevention
    Recommendations were proposed to prevent errors, including displaying a message on the checkout page, notifying users that all information is required before proceeding.

  2. Absence of error messages
    It was noted that when a user makes a mistake, particularly when filling out the checkout form, there should be an error message that appears after the form is submitted.

Re-Designing of the Check out form

In the form, an asterisk (*) denotes mandatory fields that must be completed. An error message will be triggered if any of these required fields are left unfilled.

Conclusion

Despite the brief duration spent on the project, it was an enjoyable and fun experience learning the theories and principles of interaction design. It feels especially great when I can apply the learnings to my own design. While I may not be entirely satisfied with the extent of design implemented on the website, considering the limited timeframe, it was the best effort I could have done.

Happy to carry these insights into the next project and I can’t wait for the opportunity to apply them in the future.