Everwish
A platform for a shared gift-giving experience.
Overview
This was a project for my Master’s level Fundamentals of UX course.
Problem: Although people enjoy receiving sentimental and experienced-based gifts, many often struggle with gift-giving anxiety and opt to give practical, “safe” gifts instead.
Goal: Create a platform that alleviates stress and uncertainty from the gift-giving process, turning it into an enjoyable, shared experience.
My Role
Conducted 2 user research interviews
Designed all low-fi sketches and mid-fi wireframes
Conducted usability testing
Designed moodboard and style tile
Co-designed high fidelity prototype
Timeline
Sept -Dec 2024
Team
Ariba M.
Joanna L.
Peter H.
Yi L.
The Process
Over 12 weeks marked by 4 phases, we went through all stages of the design process.
Research
Define
Ideate
Design
Challenges
Challenges
Challenges
Starting from square one of the design process; where do we start?
Understanding the problem space; what problem do we focus on?
Goals
Goals
Goals
Utilize primary and secondary research as a basis for decision making
Engage in continual communication and feedback sessions from experts
Research
Research
Research
Our extensive research phase consisted of both primary and secondary research to gain insight into the key issues people face during the gift-giving process. Research provided meaningful grounds for decision making and ideation. Seen below are key research takeaways into these pain points.
Primary Research
To understand existing theories and insights on gift-giving behaviour, we conducted an 15 in-depth literature reviews, contributing 3 sources each. Competitor analyses were conducted on pre-existing gift apps, such as Gift.com, Giftadvisor, Tinggly, and Gift Guru to gauge insight on commonalities, opportunities, and gaps.
Secondary Research
Leveraging our research from our primary research, we conducted 10 user research interviews to further explore pain points: budget, time constraints, emotional factors with real-life experiences.
Our extensive research phase consisted of both primary and secondary research to gain insight into the key issues people face during the gift-giving process. Research provided meaningful grounds for decision making and ideation. Seen below are key research takeaways into these pain points.
Primary Research
To understand existing theories and insights on gift-giving behaviour, we conducted an 15 in-depth literature reviews, contributing 3 sources each. Competitor analyses were conducted on pre-existing gift apps, such as Gift.com, Giftadvisor, Tinggly, and Gift Guru to gauge insight on commonalities, opportunities, and gaps.
Secondary Research
Leveraging our research from our primary research, we conducted 10 user research interviews to further explore pain points: budget, time constraints, emotional factors with real-life experiences.
Our extensive research phase consisted of both primary and secondary research to gain insight into the key issues people face during the gift-giving process. Research provided meaningful grounds for decision making and ideation. Seen below are key research takeaways into these pain points.
Primary Research
To understand existing theories and insights on gift-giving behaviour, we conducted an 15 in-depth literature reviews, contributing 3 sources each. Competitor analyses were conducted on pre-existing gift apps, such as Gift.com, Giftadvisor, Tinggly, and Gift Guru to gauge insight on commonalities, opportunities, and gaps.
Secondary Research
Leveraging our research from our primary research, we conducted 10 user research interviews to further explore pain points: budget, time constraints, emotional factors with real-life experiences.
Problem Definition
Problem Definition
Problem Definition
The Problem Statement
How can we help people create lasting impressions with gifts that strengthen their connection with a romantic partner?
We gathered our research findings and created an affinity map, which I refined and organized. This visual tool helped us group and sort the transcribed interview content into themes. We then created an as-is user journey map and a to-be user journey map. These exercises helped guide us to hone in and define our problem. We decided to focus on gift-giving in romantic relationships and how to incorporate the “shared” experience aspect in our solution.
The user journey maps are seen below; they show the user’s journey “as-is” with pain points vs. “to-be” when using our platform, eliminating their gift-giving concerns.
As-Is User Journey Map
We gathered our research findings and created an affinity map, which I refined and organized. This visual tool helped us group and sort the transcribed interview content into themes. We then created an as-is user journey map and a to-be user journey map. These exercises helped guide us to hone in and define our problem. We decided to focus on gift-giving in romantic relationships and how to incorporate the “shared” experience aspect in our solution.
The user journey maps are seen below; they show the user’s journey “as-is” with pain points vs. “to-be” when using our platform, eliminating their gift-giving concerns.
As-Is User Journey Map
We gathered our research findings and created an affinity map, which I refined and organized. This visual tool helped us group and sort the transcribed interview content into themes. We then created an as-is user journey map and a to-be user journey map. These exercises helped guide us to hone in and define our problem. We decided to focus on gift-giving in romantic relationships and how to incorporate the “shared” experience aspect in our solution.
The user journey maps are seen below; they show the user’s journey “as-is” with pain points vs. “to-be” when using our platform, eliminating their gift-giving concerns.
As-Is User Journey Map
Ideation
Ideation
Ideation
After outlining the problem, it was time for us to ideate on potential solutions and its features. The core reason behind the discrepancy between what gift receivers want vs. what gift givers give is due to uncertainty; “what if they don’t like it?” is the million dollar question. To eliminate this “what if?” stress but also transform gift-giving into a bonding experience, we decided that a collaborative wishlist will be the basis of our solution and a priority matrix allowed us to map out which features to prioritize.
After outlining the problem, it was time for us to ideate on potential solutions and its features. The core reason behind the discrepancy between what gift receivers want vs. what gift givers give is due to uncertainty; “what if they don’t like it?” is the million dollar question. To eliminate this “what if?” stress but also transform gift-giving into a bonding experience, we decided that a collaborative wishlist will be the basis of our solution and a priority matrix allowed us to map out which features to prioritize.
After outlining the problem, it was time for us to ideate on potential solutions and its features. The core reason behind the discrepancy between what gift receivers want vs. what gift givers give is due to uncertainty; “what if they don’t like it?” is the million dollar question. To eliminate this “what if?” stress but also transform gift-giving into a bonding experience, we decided that a collaborative wishlist will be the basis of our solution and a priority matrix allowed us to map out which features to prioritize.
Design
Design
Design
User Flow
Due to time constraints, we had to focus on only one user flow that was central to our solution, a.k.a the happy path. Our happy path revolved around the user being able to create and add an item to their collaborative wishlist.
Happy Path
User Flow
Due to time constraints, we had to focus on only one user flow that was central to our solution, a.k.a the happy path. Our happy path revolved around the user being able to create and add an item to their collaborative wishlist.
Happy Path
User Flow
Due to time constraints, we had to focus on only one user flow that was central to our solution, a.k.a the happy path. Our happy path revolved around the user being able to create and add an item to their collaborative wishlist.
Happy Path
Low to Mid Fidelity Prototyping
We all illustrated our own interpretation of the happy path as low-fidelity sketches and then came to a consensus on the most ideal screens. I was responsible for consolidating and re-sketching them, as seen below.
Low-Fidelity Sketches
Low to Mid Fidelity Prototyping
We all illustrated our own interpretation of the happy path as low-fidelity sketches and then came to a consensus on the most ideal screens. I was responsible for consolidating and re-sketching them, as seen below.
Low-Fidelity Sketches
Low to Mid Fidelity Prototyping
We all illustrated our own interpretation of the happy path as low-fidelity sketches and then came to a consensus on the most ideal screens. I was responsible for consolidating and re-sketching them, as seen below.
Low-Fidelity Sketches
The sketches were translated into mid-fidelity wireframes. We distributed the workload as evenly as possible, and I designed screens 2-4 and collaborated on screen 6.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
The sketches were translated into mid-fidelity wireframes. We distributed the workload as evenly as possible, and I designed screens 2-4 and collaborated on screen 6.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
The sketches were translated into mid-fidelity wireframes. We distributed the workload as evenly as possible, and I designed screens 2-4 and collaborated on screen 6.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
Usability Testing and Feedback
We conducted usability testing with 7 participants for our prototype. We also presented our prototype to experts for additional feedback, and I was responsible for the prototype walkthrough presentation. This provided insight into improvements for our iteration that will make the user experience more seamless.
Key Feedback
Homepage needed a major makeover, the layout is not intuitive and majority of users struggled with locating important tasks
The collaborator screen’s placement in the user flow was confusng
The calendar screen was confusing
With this information in mind and the time constraints still very much...constraining, there was some troubleshooting to be done. We had to take a step back and truly reflect if the chosen happy path was really the right choice.
Usability Testing and Feedback
We conducted usability testing with 7 participants for our prototype. We also presented our prototype to experts for additional feedback, and I was responsible for the prototype walkthrough presentation. This provided insight into improvements for our iteration that will make the user experience more seamless.
Key Feedback
Homepage needed a major makeover, the layout is not intuitive and majority of users struggled with locating important tasks
The collaborator screen’s placement in the user flow was confusng
The calendar screen was confusing
With this information in mind and the time constraints still very much...constraining, there was some troubleshooting to be done. We had to take a step back and truly reflect if the chosen happy path was really the right choice.
Usability Testing and Feedback
We conducted usability testing with 7 participants for our prototype. We also presented our prototype to experts for additional feedback, and I was responsible for the prototype walkthrough presentation. This provided insight into improvements for our iteration that will make the user experience more seamless.
Key Feedback
Homepage needed a major makeover, the layout is not intuitive and majority of users struggled with locating important tasks
The collaborator screen’s placement in the user flow was confusng
The calendar screen was confusing
With this information in mind and the time constraints still very much...constraining, there was some troubleshooting to be done. We had to take a step back and truly reflect if the chosen happy path was really the right choice.
Iteration
Back to the drawing board! As a group, we agreed to be more specific on what screens are imperative in conveying the solution. We decided to re-frame the user flow through the lens of a pre-existing user adding an item to a pre-existing wishlist.
Iteration
Back to the drawing board! As a group, we agreed to be more specific on what screens are imperative in conveying the solution. We decided to re-frame the user flow through the lens of a pre-existing user adding an item to a pre-existing wishlist.
Iteration
Back to the drawing board! As a group, we agreed to be more specific on what screens are imperative in conveying the solution. We decided to re-frame the user flow through the lens of a pre-existing user adding an item to a pre-existing wishlist.
Recall: Old Happy Path
Refined Happy Path
Design System
Moodboard
The moodboard was a collaborative effort to decide on a cohesive “vibe” and colour palette using shared vision words. I spearheaded this studio session.
Shared Vision Words:
Romantic
Heartfelt
Welcoming/inviting
Joyful
Organized
Intimate
Style Tile
Drawing inspiration from the moodboard, 11 potential style tiles were designed. We decided on the final one as a team and mine was chosen! The updated style tile used for the high-fidelity prototype accounted for accessibility (WCAG test).
Style Tile
Drawing inspiration from the moodboard, 11 potential style tiles were designed. We decided on the final one as a team and mine was chosen! The updated style tile used for the high-fidelity prototype accounted for accessibility (WCAG test).
Style Tile
Drawing inspiration from the moodboard, 11 potential style tiles were designed. We decided on the final one as a team and mine was chosen! The updated style tile used for the high-fidelity prototype accounted for accessibility (WCAG test).
High-Fidelity Prototype
Overview
Process
As mentioned above, we decided to refine the happy path flow for the high-fidelity prototype and each did a solo mockup of a couple screens. Once the screens were finalized, me and another teammate co-designed the rest of the screens to complete the user flow.
Two major changes include:
1. Home screen got a huge makeover; the layout is much more intuitive!
2. Replacing the shared 5-star rating system with an emoji slider rating and ability to comment feature. This pivot emphasizes the focal point of our solution. By providing both users with insight into the other person’s preferences, it alleviates the uncertainty, pressure, and anxiety behind gift-giving without taking away the surprise and delight.
Process
As mentioned above, we decided to refine the happy path flow for the high-fidelity prototype and each did a solo mockup of a couple screens. Once the screens were finalized, me and another teammate co-designed the rest of the screens to complete the user flow.
Two major changes include:
1. Home screen got a huge makeover; the layout is much more intuitive!
2. Replacing the shared 5-star rating system with an emoji slider rating and ability to comment feature. This pivot emphasizes the focal point of our solution. By providing both users with insight into the other person’s preferences, it alleviates the uncertainty, pressure, and anxiety behind gift-giving without taking away the surprise and delight.
Process
As mentioned above, we decided to refine the happy path flow for the high-fidelity prototype and each did a solo mockup of a couple screens. Once the screens were finalized, me and another teammate co-designed the rest of the screens to complete the user flow.
Two major changes include:
1. Home screen got a huge makeover; the layout is much more intuitive!
2. Replacing the shared 5-star rating system with an emoji slider rating and ability to comment feature. This pivot emphasizes the focal point of our solution. By providing both users with insight into the other person’s preferences, it alleviates the uncertainty, pressure, and anxiety behind gift-giving without taking away the surprise and delight.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
Takeaways
Reflecting on this project, there were lots of lessons learned. Doing a group project spanning the course of 12 weeks with weekly deliverables was no small feat. It required an immense amount of teamwork, communication, and collaboration, so I was thankful for the opportunity to develop those skills. I learned that the design process is not just pretty UI and there is alot of behind the scenes work that goes into it.
I can proudly say I was able to present the mid-fi prototype walkthrough with confidence, getting me one step closer to overcoming my fear of public speaking. This will prepare me for countless future pitches in my UX career!