UX Case study
Ebra Studio Website design
Project Duration: 2 month
Responsibility: UX - UI Designer
Ebra Studio has embarked on a UX project involving the design of a responsive website for a business. As part of our comprehensive approach, we've decided to complement this process with the creation of a jewelry-themed Instagram page, a suggestion put forth by one of our team members.
Business research
Competitive analysis
Persona
Storytelling
Information architecture
Site map
User flow
Ideate, Sketch
Moodboard
User testing
UI kit
Clickable prototype
Business Research
Farimah, the founder of Ebra Studio specializing in locally handcrafted jewelry, employs raw materials such as silver and brass to craft exquisite artistic pieces. This pioneering businesswoman initiated her venture in 2017 by showcasing her creations through social media, notably Instagram. Subsequently, she made the strategic decision to expand her sales operations by offering her products for purchase through her own website.
Interview with stakeholder
Following a 90-minute interview with the stakeholder of Ebra Studio, we have gathered a wealth of data encompassing her sales records, preferred items, shipping methods, and more. Our next step involves strategically organizing and structuring this information using information architecture principles.
**The stakeholders' photo is blurry due to copyright restrictions.
Sustainability of Silver
One of our foremost challenges revolved around defining the sustainability of silver. Through extensive research across pertinent digital resources, we've come to realize that the sustainability of silver is a multifaceted concept. It hinges on how companies extract it, refine it, and their overall environmental practices, all of which exist on a spectrum of sustainability.
So we decide to...
Design
a fashion website
with sustainable approach
Competitive analyses
We selected analogous websites and businesses to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their existing websites, allowing us to gain insights into the strategies we should consider for comparison. The following table presents our findings from this research.
User Story
Sara, who is Faranak's closest friend, was aware of Faranak's keen interest in handmade jewelry. During one of their hangout sessions, Sara introduced Faranak to Ebra Studio and showcased Ebra's Instagram Page. Intrigued, Faranak expressed her interest by requesting to direct message (DM) one of the posts.
While browsing Instagram, Faranak came across Ebra's story which mentioned the existence of Ebra's website and its global shipping services. Intrigued by the discovery, Faranak decided to visit Ebra's website, where she found a beautiful ring and made a purchase in anticipation of her upcoming birthday.
Persona
Information architecture
Site map
User flow
User flow designs tasks that shape our process through the following stages.
Ideate, sketch
Wireframe
A new ideation for accessible
During our classes, we gained insights into a previously unexplored spectrum of users who require tailored options to enhance website accessibility. Subsequently, our team initiated discussions with the stakeholder, who agreed to incorporate accessibility features into the website. The next phase involved brainstorming and ideation.
Initially, we proposed utilizing the same panel as our competitor, a service that could be purchased to bolster website accessibility efforts. The style mirrors that of the images on the right-hand side.
Following the presentation of this approach to our mentor, he pointed out a crucial aspect that our team had overlooked. In the version of accessibility utilized by our competitor, a user with a disability struggled to locate the intended accessibility profile. Consequently, we designed it to resemble the image on the left side. This design approach prioritizes user-friendliness and optimization.
Moodboard
UI Kit
User testing iteration
One of the major challenges during our iterations was product categorization. Before delving into the design of the information architecture, we conceptualized four product types, along with a unique custom order design. Initially, we designed these four product types to appear prominently as a second banner, ensuring they catch the customers' attention. As depicted, there were numerous micro-interaction ideas generated to enhance the engagement and user experience within this section.
Ultimately, the team reached a consensus to incorporate a distinctive design banner into this section, aiming to draw heightened attention and ensure that users easily locate their desired products. As depicted, this represents the final design solution.
PROJECT TAKEAWAYS
1) Embrace Micro-Interactions
After developing the prototype, we initially incorporated numerous interactions that, in hindsight, proved overwhelming and frustrating for users during their interactions. We decided to place our trust in micro-interactions, and the outcome was a pleasant surprise. When we presented these refined interactions to our users, they found them engaging and captivating.
2) Foster Inclusivity
I came to realize that there are approximately one billion individuals living with specific disabilities who must be considered as users and respected for their unique needs. In addition to comprehending my users, I recognized the importance of making them feel valued and accountable. My commitment to accessibility knowledge extends beyond this point, aiming to discover the most respectful ways to cater to all users' requirements.
3) Questioning Existing Solutions
As evident from the iteration phase involving the accessibility panel, we initially opted for the current profile matching solution for our users. However, it became apparent that this existing approach wasn't the optimal answer to the accessibility challenge. The website had been employing it primarily for legal compliance. Consequently, we charted our course to connect our users with the most fitting solution to their accessibility needs, rather than settling for any readily available solution.
NEXT STEPS
As evident from the study, our forthcoming focus could be twofold. First, we intend to further advance our research and ideation efforts to address accessibility profile challenges and enhance the user experience for individuals with disabilities.
On another front, should I remain part of the team in the subsequent phases, I would advocate for the exploration of Augmented Reality (AR) for product interactions. This AR implementation would allow users to virtually try on products, such as rings, providing an immersive experience where users can feel and connect with the products as if they were physically interacting with them.