PetPal
Connecting pet owners with caring sitters and adopters to keep pets happy and well-loved.
Role
Product Designer
Team
2 Frontend Developers
2 Backend Developers
Duration
May, 2023
(Hackerthon, 2 weeks)
Tools
Figma
FigJam
Procreate
Rhino
Context
Pets play crucial roles for many Cornell students, offering vital emotional support amid the academic pressures of an Ivy League institution.
However, frequent relocations due to housing constraints result in a consistent demand for pet sitters, particularly before extended breaks. Graduation or international studies often necessitate finding new homes for pets, adding another layer to the unique challenges faced by Cornell students.
Problems
Student pet owners struggle to find pet care for temporary or extended absences from campus.
1
Primary Research
Insights and Analysis
Students staying on campus during breaks seek temporary companionship from pets.
2
Ideation
Early Explorations
Visual Language
Logo Design
Affection + Infrastructure (shelter)
Sketches
Final Version
The mission of the App is to provide comprehensive care and protection for all pets, a principle that guided my creative process.
The pet type is intentionally depicted ambiguously to underscore inclusivity.
UI Kit
Considering that the app caters to Cornell students, a youthful, energetic, and clean design approach is crucial. To achieve this, I opted for beige as the dominant color, complemented by orange, which symbolizes vitality.
The design style leans towards minimalism, prioritizing clarity and ensuring that pet images can be displayed prominently without distractions.
The illustrations help deliver a warm, loving feeling to the users.
Final Design
1. Login and Registration
2. Filter the Request Posts
3. Check Post Details
4. Access Saved Posts
5. Post a Request
6. Inbox
7. User Profile
Reflection
Throughout this project,
I conceptualized and refined features while keeping the persona Darlene, a Cornell pet lover seeking dog sitters over the break, in mind. This user-centric approach ensured a smooth experience, extending to user flows for pet owners finding sitters or adopters.
Besides, creating numerous interfaces has significantly boosted my skill to develop designs efficiently with a standardized design language.
If I had more time…
I would prioritize extensive user research and competitive analysis. Due to time constraints, our team conducted interviews with a limited number of Cornell students, offering insights but not comprehensive perspectives. Given additional time, delving deeper into user feedback and analyzing the current options in the market would help identify and understand more potential pain points.
Additionally, conducting user testing would be beneficial for a deeper understanding of design usability and potential areas for improvement.