Problem
MeowMate redefines pet care with a comprehensive mobile app tailored for pet owners. I had the privilege of working on this project as part of my HCI coursework, aiming to create a seamless, all-in-one platform for managing pet well-being.
With the rise of pet ownership, there has been a growing interest in using technology to improve pet care. From smart feeders to wearable health trackers, technology is helping pet owners take better care of their furry friends. MeowMate is a great example of how technology can make pet care more streamlined and efficient.
Goal
MeowMate was designed to bring together different elements of pet management, such as feeding schedules, health monitoring, and remote interaction, into one easy-to-use platform. The ultimate goal was to streamline pet care routines, provide valuable health insights, facilitate remote engagement, and offer convenient features like automatic feeders, a comprehensive product catalog, and educational resources. The project aimed to improve the bond between pets and their owners by enhancing the pet care experience as a whole.
My Role
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Facilitated project meetings as team leader
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Conducted Preliminary User Research( Contextual Inquiries, Quantitative and Qualitative research)
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Created a Design plan for the project
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Created a Test plan and conducted Usability testing
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Formulated results & takeaways for the final report/presentation
Timeline
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Overall: 10 weeks​
Tools
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Figma
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Miro
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FigJam
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Balsamic
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Zoom
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G-suite(Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides)
Design Process Thinking
Empathize
User Research
User research is the compass that guides us through the intricate landscape of design, helping us discover the true noods, desires, and perspectives of our users. it illuminates the path to creating exceptional, user-centric experiences.
Qualitative Research
Including open-ended interview questions for MeowMate allowed us to gain valuable insights into users' experiences and needs:
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How much time do you spend with your pet?
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What’s your relationship like with your pet?
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Do you feel concerned about leaving your pet alone when you have to run errands?
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How do you manage your pet's care when you're not at home?
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How do you currently track your pet's health and well-being? Are there any specific tools or technologies you use?
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How do you currently find and access information about local pet services, such as veterinarians and groomers?
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Have you ever faced challenges in finding reliable and trustworthy pet services in your area? If so, could you describe your experiences?
Quantitative Research
To gain broader understanding of user preference, we conducted a qualitative survey, using Google forms
Competitive Analysis
Competitive analysis is the process of evaluating and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of competing businesses or products within a specific industry. It involves gathering information on competitors' strategies, products, pricing, distribution channels, marketing tactics, and customer feedback to gain insights into their market position. The analysis helps businesses identify opportunities and threats, refine their own strategies, and make informed decisions to gain a competitive edge.
Define Phase
User Persona
Based on the insights gathered from interviews and surveys, I developed a persona that embodies the characteristics of an ideal user for the application. This persona played a crucial role in guiding me towards effective solutions by providing a deep understanding of the user's goals and frustrations.
User Journey Mapping
Ideate Phase
User Flow
User flow is the path a user follows to achieve a goal in an app or website. It includes entry, exploration, and task completion, guided by the platform's design.
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Design Phase
Med-Fi Wireframe
Usability Testing
The goal was to improve the MeowMate app's usability by identifying and addressing any issues users might encounter when navigating the app, specifically related to pet profile management, automatic food dispenser use, and product catalogue exploration. Through usability testing, we aim to enhance user satisfaction by gathering valuable insights.
Tasks will centre around creating and managing cat profiles, setting up and utilizing the automatic food dispenser, exploring the product catalogue, and receiving real-time notifications.
Test Findings
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Lack of Confirmation Page: Users expressed a need for a confirmation page after saving details, allowing them to review changes made. The absence of this feature led to uncertainty regarding the saving of alterations, particularly noticeable after configuring the food schedule. Users praised the confirmation page within the feeder but sought a similar interface for the overall food schedule.
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Dashboard Notification Clarity: The running low food notification feature requires enhancements to ensure its prominence or visibility, through a more noticeable notification or pop-up. Users found this critical for timely refills.
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Interface Improvements: Users highlighted the absence of 'deals' and 'new product' tabs within the shopping section. A more conspicuous 'add to cart' button on the shop's main page would also improve the user experience. The inability to add multiple cats and the lack of a feeding history with an estimated time till empty were identified as usability gaps.
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Navigation Issues: The 'Review Cart' and 'Proceed to Checkout' options were not prominently visible or clickable due to web layout issues, causing confusion and hindering the checkout process for users.
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Language Enhancement: The statement, "How many times in a day does Bella eat dry food?" inquired during scheduling confused users.
Implementing Feedback
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Confirmation Integration: Incorporated confirmation screens for order overviews, feeding schedules, and cat details, ensuring users can review changes before finalizing them. This addition aims to alleviate uncertainties about changes made within the app.
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Enhanced Notification System: Improved the visibility of the low-food notification by implementing a prominent icon on the dashboard. This alteration ensures that users are promptly alerted to low food levels, facilitating timely refills.
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Interactive Feeder Graphics: Revamped the feeder visuals to be more visually engaging and interactive. This redesign allows users to easily identify and gauge the quantity of both wet and dry food within the feeder, enhancing user understanding and interaction with the app.
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Revised Language for Clarity: Restructured confusing statements within the scheduling process. For instance, changed the query "How many times in a day does Bella eat dry food?" to a clearer "Dry Food frequency per day." This adjustment aims to improve user comprehension and streamline the scheduling process.
Visual Designs
With a carefully crafted design, it ensures effortless navigation, making pet care, supplies, and services easily accessible. The Ul encapsulates a warm and welcoming vibe, aligning with the love and care you have for your furry companions. It's not just an app;
it's a companion in your pet care journey.
Splash & Onboarding
Homepage
Pet Profile
Automatic-feeder set-up
Low-food alert
After filling the automatic food dispenser, users can use the sync button to recalibrate it.
Shop
Thank you for reading my case study!
If you'd like to read about this project in greater detail, see our final report.