CIRCLE
Sustainability / Social Media / Circular Fashion / E-Commerce
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, I was a contributing member to the inception of the “The Circular Fashion Exposition,” a showcase dedicated to promoting sustainability and combating fast fashion. Inspired by the values of this initiative,“Circle" is a social media platform dedicated to providing users with fashion related content that emphasizes and promotes sustainability. This app is a one stop shop for fashion enthusiasts to create and consume content that connects them to eco-friendly resources.
Role:
Researcher, Designer
Timeline:
6 weeks
Team Size:
1 Person

PROBLEMS
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Current social media platforms are so broad
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Limits connections with fellow fashion enthusiasts
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Feeds are flooded with non-fashion related content
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Complicated transitions from content to purchasing
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Overwhelming amount of fast fashion products are advertised
GOALS
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Provide personalized fashion recommendations
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Foster connections between users with similar preferences
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Ensure real-time delivery of tailored fashion news and trends
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Offer detailed information about fashion items
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Seamlessly integrate shopping features with content discovery
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Highlight companies and products that emphasize sustainability
SOLUTIONS
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Implement algorithms to analyze user data and provide personalized fashion recommendations
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Develop community features such as group boards, and social sharing options
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Real-time delivery of fashion news and trends tailored to user preferences
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Seamlessly integrate content and shopping, enabling direct purchasing
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Verify eco-friendliness
RESULTS
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Comprehensive data on user needs, sentiments, and pain points
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Analysis and comparison of similar or related products
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Low-Mid Fidelity Wireframes
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Screen Designs
RESEARCH DETAILS
USER INTERVIEWS
I aimed to gather feedback from people of different ages, interest levels in fashion, and technological proficiency to guide my thinking when making my survey. These interviews asked general questions on their relationship to fashion, social media usage, and shopping habits. I also asked for what they’d like to see in a fashion related app and what pain points they experience in relation to social media and eCommerce.
USER SURVEY
The interviews helped me structure the questions for the survey. I asked participants questions related to their personal fashion preferences (how they’d describe their style, where they shop, how important fashion is to them, etc.) and digital behavior (social media tendencies, online shopping habits, etc.) The survey also aimed gauge the general sentiment surrounding pain points identified during interviews.
RESULTS WERE THEN SYNTHESIZED TO DETERMINE NEEDS AND PAIN POINTS
Intuitive Trend Discovery
User Need: Users seek an easy and intuitive way to discover new fashion trends aligned with their preferences.
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Pain Point: Current trend discovery mechanisms may be overwhelming or not tailored to individual tastes, leading to a frustrating and time-consuming search process.
Efficient Navigation and Search
User Need: Users value an intuitive navigation system and efficient search functionality that allows them to quickly find specific fashion content or products.
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Pain Point: A confusing or convoluted navigation structure and ineffective search tools can lead to frustration and hinder users from finding what they are looking for.
Personalized Recommendations
User Need: Users appreciate personalized recommendations for fashion items based on their preferences, browsing history, and past purchases.
Pain Point: The absence of personalized recommendations can make the shopping experience feel generic and may result in users missing out on items they would love.
Comprehensive Fashion Information
User Need: Users want a comprehensive source of information that not only covers news and trends but also provides detailed information about featured products, including materials, sizing, and styling tips.
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Pain Point: Limited information about showcased fashion items may hinder confident purchasing decisions and lead to dissatisfaction.
Community Engagement and Social Integration Recommendations
User Need: Users appreciate opportunities to engage with a fashion community, share insights, and seek advice from peers. Integration with social media platforms for easy sharing is also desired.
Pain Point: The current app may lack community features, limiting users' ability to connect with fellow fashion enthusiasts and share their experiences.
Seamless Shopping Experience
User Need: Users desire a streamlined and enjoyable shopping experience that seamlessly integrates with the app's content, allowing them to make purchases directly from trends or news articles.
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Pain Point: The current shopping process may be disjointed, with a lack of integration between content and shopping, resulting in a cumbersome transition for users.
Timely and Relevant Fashion Updates
User Need: Users want a platform that delivers real-time and relevant fashion news and trends, ensuring they stay informed about the latest styles and industry happenings that are personally relevant to them
Pain Point: Current news delivery may be delayed or lack personalization, causing users to miss out on time- sensitive information and trends.