Keren Mevorach

Googlie
Product Design
2023

Problem
The high cost of crafting supplies prevents people from exploring their craft, and finding new passions.

Solution
Googlie, which is a crafting marketplace app that allows users to borrow and lend crafting supplies. The app aims to inspire crafters and provide them with the opportunity to explore new passions without committing to purchasing new equipment.

Inspiration

I've always been a crafty gal! Recently, I wanted to start a new project that required me to purchase a sewing machine. I wasn't sure if it would be worth the investment, and whether I would get enough use out of the machine. I decided not to purchase it, and I sadly abandoned my project idea. Googlie was inspired by my own, and many others' struggle to explore their craft.

Desk & Observational Research

I started off the project by conducting desk and observational research. I researched where crafters get their crafting supplies, and inspiration for craft projects. I also observed how people make decisions when shopping for crafting supplies in stores.

Meta Insights & How Might We

I then conducted interviews with 6 crafters, with crafting experience ranging from beginner to expert. These interviews helped me understand crafters' pain points, and led to 4 key meta insights and how might we statements.

Low Fidelity Prototypes & Testing

The meta insights and how might we statements led to 4 low-fidelity prototypes, which I then tested with 5 users.

Prototypes & Takeaways:

Prototype #1:
WeWork for crafters—Allows users to rent spaces for crafting projects. Users said that the crafting rental spaces must offer something unique. Otherwise, users would craft at home.
Prototype #2:
DoorDash for crafting supplies—A crafting supply delivery service. Users said they are more likely to use Amazon, or a crafting supply website like Michael's instead.
Prototype #3:
Rent the Runway for crafting supplies—A crafting supply rental service. Users wanted to ensure this was a legitimate and trustworthy company they coudl rent from.
Prototype #4:
Facebook Marketplace for crafting supplies—A crafting supply marketplace that allows users to borrow, lend, buy and sell crafting supplies. This resonated with users the most, but they wanted to have the opportunity to explore and get inspired.

Mid Fidelity Prototypes & Testing

I then created 2 mid fidelity prototypes based on the crafting marketplace concept. The first prototype allowed users to explore, the interface is more familiar to other marketplace apps, and it allowed users to be indecisive. The second prototype provided a guided experience, the interface is more unfamiliar to other marketplace apps, and it forced users to make decisions each step of the way.

User Testing Takeaways:

Users want a balance between a guided and exploratory experience
Users liked seeing visuals throughout the process
Users want to narrow their search after selecting a category
Users prefer to choose between borrowing or buying later on in the process

Scoping

I used the MSCW framework to help me determine my MVP features. I decided to focus my first prototype on the borrowing and lending process, since it felt more unique, and would likely be the most beneficial for users. I plan to incorporate the buying and selling process in a future prototype. I then created a system map to help me determine the overall flow of the app.

Branding

Googlie is all about exploring, whether it’s through discovering new hobbies, searching for materials, or finding new passions. This idea of exploration and searching is represented through the brand’s logo, a pair of googlie eyes.

High-Fidelity Prototype

The final prototype maps out the journey as a borrower searching for crafting materials, and as a lender making a product listing.

Borrowing an Item

Users can find products on the explore tab, where a random set of products are shown to provide inspiration
Users can search for a specific product if they know exactly what they are looking for
Users can also browse by category if they have a specific type of project in mind

Listing a New Item

On the lend page, users can view the items they are currently lending, and other items they have listed
Users can add a new product listing where they fill out the name, description and category of the item. The user will then upload photos, set a pickup address, and choose a price for their product
When choosing a price, users are asked to provide the monetary value of the product. From there, the app will automatically calculate suggested daily, weekly and monthly rates. Users can then decide which rates they would like to charge

Reflection

The importance of user testing with low, mid, and high-fidelity prototypes
I learned how valuable sketching can be, even at a later stage in the process

Next Steps

Incorporating buying and selling to the app
Adding a calendar view so borrowers can see when a product is available
More testing of my high-fidelity prototype 👀

Eggsploration
Book Design, Photography
2022

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This project explores all things eggs. I studied the egg’s form through a wide variety of methods including stories, photography, form studies, and lettering. I expressed my design process through the lens of an everyday object—the egg. Check out the type tool to use the custom egg inspired lettering 🥚

Boob Stickers
Sticker Campaign
2021

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Check out the boob generator here

Bright
Product Design
2022

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Branding
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Check out the logo generator here

Crackers
Packaging Design
2021

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Crackers creative packaging is featured on The Best Snack Packaging Designs by DesignRush.

Type Design Poster
Poster Design
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The Ex
Branding
2021

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Growing Greens
Packaging Design
2021

Growing Greens is a company that delivers cooking herbs and plants right to your doorstep. The identity system can be applied to any size box, big or small. The plant grows from a chosen letter and extends to reach the top of its respective box. The boxes were designed and constructed for chives, cilantro rosemary, basil and lemongrass.

Project

Project Type

Year

Googlie

Product Design

Eggsploration

Book Design, Photography

Boob Stickers

Sticker Campaign

Bright

Product Design

Bata Shoe Museum

Branding

Crackers

Packaging Design

Type Design Poster

Poster Design

The Ex

Branding

Growing Greens

Packaging Design