Background
About the Company:
RetSKU is a B2B start-up located in New York City. It does competitive intelligence for brands/retailers. The RetSKU platform is a 3-part system. 1) RetSKU In-Store Audit App that captures In-Store data 2) Dashboards that visualise trends/anomalies from the data 3)Alerts that let you know when there's a change in data.
My Responsibilities:
I was the sole designer. My responsibilities ranged from the company's branding to designing the interface and user experience of the mobile app. I worked closely with both co-founders, Harman (CEO) and Chien (CTO).
RetSKU is a B2B start-up located in New York City. It does competitive intelligence for brands/retailers. The RetSKU platform is a 3-part system. 1) RetSKU In-Store Audit App that captures In-Store data 2) Dashboards that visualise trends/anomalies from the data 3)Alerts that let you know when there's a change in data.
My Responsibilities:
I was the sole designer. My responsibilities ranged from the company's branding to designing the interface and user experience of the mobile app. I worked closely with both co-founders, Harman (CEO) and Chien (CTO).
Project 1.
RetSKU In-Store Audit App
Project Background
The app's purpose is to for auditors to quickly and efficiently audit in-store products. The app was at its infancy on my first day with RetSKU. I redesigned the user interface and also designed the flows for its new features.
The app's purpose is to for auditors to quickly and efficiently audit in-store products. The app was at its infancy on my first day with RetSKU. I redesigned the user interface and also designed the flows for its new features.
Process
I would first be informed of what the app needs to do by the CEO. After knowing that, I would:
I would first be informed of what the app needs to do by the CEO. After knowing that, I would:
- Sketch out the user flows on pieces of paper
- Create quick low-fidelity prototypes of user flows I like (usually 3)
- Meet with CEO and CTO to get their input and finalise the user flow
- Design high-fidelity prototype of the user flow chosen
- Prepare the style guide of the design for CTO to develop
Challenge
Different stores require different kinds of auditing methods. For example, stores in United States have barcodes that can be scanned, stores in India do not. The app needs to cater to multiple different scenarios for different stores and products. The question that I constantly asked myself is, "How can we clearly communicate to the user how to reach a feature of the app that caters to their specific scenario?"
Different stores require different kinds of auditing methods. For example, stores in United States have barcodes that can be scanned, stores in India do not. The app needs to cater to multiple different scenarios for different stores and products. The question that I constantly asked myself is, "How can we clearly communicate to the user how to reach a feature of the app that caters to their specific scenario?"
Outcome
The wireframe only shows the basic flow of the app. Due to confidentiality terms, I can't show the full complexity of it.
The wireframe only shows the basic flow of the app. Due to confidentiality terms, I can't show the full complexity of it.
Project 2.
Video Promoting the App
Project Background
Purpose of the video is to explain what the app does and the many features it has. The video would be passed on to prospective clients via emails.
Purpose of the video is to explain what the app does and the many features it has. The video would be passed on to prospective clients via emails.
Process
- Decide on the features that needs to be showcased in the video
- Generate storyboards
- Film the video
- Edit and finalise video
- Get feedback from others
- Make appropriate edits to the video
- Repeat step 5-6 twice
Challenge
There're a couple of challenges here. One was in ensuring that people understand the app's functions and limitations, and the other was time and budget. The video was filmed with an iPhone 6 in 3 days and edited within a week. It was the top priority as we were in the process of signing a huge deal and needed the video to clearly explain the app to the clients.
There're a couple of challenges here. One was in ensuring that people understand the app's functions and limitations, and the other was time and budget. The video was filmed with an iPhone 6 in 3 days and edited within a week. It was the top priority as we were in the process of signing a huge deal and needed the video to clearly explain the app to the clients.
Outcome
Design elements of the app's interface are exaggerated for clarity's sake
Design elements of the app's interface are exaggerated for clarity's sake
Project 3.
RetSKU Dashboards
Project Background
The dashboard is meant for brand managers to track their products. I had to communicate closely with our external team in India who will be developing the dashboards. We communicated via PivotalTracker and Slack.
The dashboard is meant for brand managers to track their products. I had to communicate closely with our external team in India who will be developing the dashboards. We communicated via PivotalTracker and Slack.
Process
- Choose data that would be relevant to a brand manager
- Create low-fidelity designs of the dashboards (sketches on pieces of papers)
- Discuss with Harman
- Make adjustments to the design
- Second discussion with Harman
- Make high-fidelity design of the dashboard
- Prepare style guide for external team
Challenge
The main challenge here is visualising the data. I wasn't familiar with data visualisation and wasn't sure of what I was doing. Thankfully, Harman lent me a book by Stephen Few (a master in data visualisation) that greatly helped me. The secondary challenge was identifying the relevant data for Brand Managers. I had little to no idea what brand managers need. It took me a while to understand their concerns, after consulting with Harman and doing my own research.
The main challenge here is visualising the data. I wasn't familiar with data visualisation and wasn't sure of what I was doing. Thankfully, Harman lent me a book by Stephen Few (a master in data visualisation) that greatly helped me. The secondary challenge was identifying the relevant data for Brand Managers. I had little to no idea what brand managers need. It took me a while to understand their concerns, after consulting with Harman and doing my own research.
Outcome