Problem
In the quest to address the frustration surrounding the search for suitable health and beauty products, as well as learning how to use them, Solio has emerged with a transformative solution. This innovative social commerce application aims to streamline the process, making it effortless for users to explore and discover the right products for their needs. Solio is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we navigate the realm of health and beauty, eliminating the hassle and simplifying the discovery process.
Process & Solution
Streamlining Research for Solio: Empathy, User Journey Mapping, and Product Benchmarking
In our pursuit of efficient research methods for Solio, we made strategic choices to focus on practical approaches. Our primary objective was to gain valuable insights into user needs and expectations. To achieve this, we embarked on a two-fold approach.
Firstly, we prioritized empathizing with our target users, aiming to understand their perspectives on health and beauty product exploration. This allowed us to cultivate a deep sense of empathy and establish a strong foundation for designing a user-centric experience.
Next, we selected a method that not only defined the app flow for Solio but also provided valuable inspiration. By mapping the user journey, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the various touchpoints and pain points users encounter throughout their experience. This exercise enabled us to identify critical areas for improvement and optimization.
Furthermore, we conducted benchmarking exercises, analyzing similar products within the market. By studying their strengths, weaknesses, and innovative features, we gained valuable insights that informed our design decisions and helped us refine the Solio experience.
These focused research efforts allowed us to streamline the development process, ensuring that Solio's UX personas were well-defined, the user journey was thoughtfully mapped, and we drew inspiration from best-in-class products. Ultimately, this approach facilitated the creation of a compelling social commerce platform that resonates with users and offers a seamless health and beauty exploration experience.
UX Personas
Solio sets its sights on empowering teenagers aspiring to become influencers and generate income from their content. Recognizing the challenges posed by fierce competition on mainstream social networks, Solio aims to provide a platform where these individuals can achieve their goals more effectively.
During the MVP phase, we made a strategic decision to focus on young girls with aspirations to become beauty influencers. This choice allowed us to refine our product persona, ensuring our platform catered specifically to the needs and aspirations of this target demographic. By aligning our efforts with their goals, we aimed to provide a tailored experience that maximizes their potential for success.
Solio's mission is to create an inclusive and supportive environment for young influencers, empowering them to unleash their creativity and build a thriving audience. Through our targeted approach, we aim to provide the necessary tools, resources, and opportunities for these aspiring influencers to flourish and make their mark in the beauty industry.
Mapping User Journey
Following the definition of personas, our next step was to map the customer journey within Solio. Throughout this process, we identified key touchpoints that were of utmost importance to us.
One significant aspect of the journey involved the seamless selection and purchase of products while watching live videos. We prioritized designing a smooth and intuitive experience for users, enabling them to effortlessly explore and acquire desired products in real-time.
Additionally, we recognized the significance of video content in facilitating product discovery and influencer engagement. We focused on creating a user journey that seamlessly guided individuals through the process of discovering products and connecting with influential figures.
By emphasizing these crucial elements in the customer journey, Solio aimed to deliver a comprehensive and engaging experience that caters to users' needs, enabling them to effortlessly explore, purchase, and connect within the social commerce platform.
Gaining Inspiration from Social Networks and E-commerce Platforms: Benchmarking for Solio's Ideation Phase
In Solio's unique blend of a social network and an online store, we recognized the importance of benchmarking similar products to fuel our ideation process and deepen our understanding of this innovative concept.
By benchmarking social networks and social commerce platforms, we aimed to draw inspiration from existing solutions and gather valuable insights. This exercise allowed us to explore various features, functionalities, and user experiences, paving the way for informed decision-making and the generation of fresh ideas.
Through this benchmarking approach, we aimed to leverage the best practices and lessons learned from these platforms, applying them strategically to shape Solio into a compelling and user-centric social commerce application.
- Agora
- Soco by Sociolla
- Aliexpress
- TikTok
- Likee
- Spin Live
- Pinduoduo
Design & Prototype
In this critical phase, the Solio team, comprising myself and the dedicated designer, embarked on the final design stage of the product. Our focus was to create a cohesive and visually appealing user interface (UI) that would elevate the Solio experience.
To streamline the design process, we developed a comprehensive UI Library, encompassing all the necessary components required for the application. This centralized resource ensured consistency and efficiency throughout the design journey.
Page by page, we meticulously crafted the application's design, paying careful attention to every detail and interaction. To ensure a holistic approach, we conducted critique sessions with the team after each flow was designed, actively seeking their valuable feedback. This iterative process allowed us to refine and enhance the user experience, incorporating diverse perspectives.
In the final step of the design process, we elevated the prototype to a hi-fidelity level. This enabled us to re-evaluate the usability of the user experience in a realistic context, simulating the actual product usage. This step proved instrumental in identifying any potential usability issues and refining the design further.
Through this collaborative design journey, Solio's UI transformed into a visually captivating and user-friendly interface, equipped with a hi-fidelity prototype that was primed for evaluation and subsequent iterations.
Application Design
By centering our design decisions around the persona, we aimed to deliver a tailored user experience that resonates with them. Our goal was to provide a seamless and engaging interface that captivates users and distinguishes Solio from its competitors.
App Prototype
After designing the MVP product, we built a prototype using Figma to test it with real users and evaluate the usability of the product.
Crafting an Engaging Landing Page for Solio
Following the completion of the app design, my focus shifted to designing the landing page, aligning it with the app's design language. The primary objective of this landing page was to encourage users to download the app while effectively introducing the essential features of Solio.
With a strategic approach, the landing page aimed to captivate visitors and entice them to explore the app further. By highlighting the unique value proposition and key functionalities of Solio, we sought to communicate the app's benefits in a concise and compelling manner.
It is important to note that Solio is currently in the development phase, and our team is actively engaging with ventures worldwide to secure seed fund investment. The landing page serves as an integral component of our efforts to generate interest and support for the product's growth and development.
In summary, the carefully designed landing page for Solio serves as a gateway to the app, strategically emphasizing its important features and driving app downloads. As the team continues to progress, we remain committed to securing seed fund investment and bringing Solio to life as an innovative social commerce platform.