Background

The challenge


Currently, consumers can't be 100% confident in the sizing of their footwear purchases due to manufacturers adhering to their sizing standards.


How might we increase consumer confidence when purchasing footwear?


The idea

My application aims to make this easier by offering consumers clear and accessible sizing information for each footwear model, including measurements in inches and centimeters, to assist them in discovering their next perfect pair of shoes.


Timeline

August 2023 - December 2023


Role

UX Designer and UX Researcher



The challenge


Currently, consumers can't be 100% confident in the sizing of their footwear purchases due to manufacturers adhering to their sizing standards.


How might we increase consumer confidence when purchasing footwear?


The idea

My application aims to make this easier by offering consumers clear and accessible sizing information for each footwear model, including measurements in inches and centimeters, to assist them in discovering their next perfect pair of shoes.


Timeline

August 2023 - December 2023


Role

UX Designer and UX Researcher



The challenge


Currently, consumers can't be 100% confident in the sizing of their footwear purchases due to manufacturers adhering to their sizing standards.


How might we increase consumer confidence when purchasing footwear?


The idea

My application aims to make this easier by offering consumers clear and accessible sizing information for each footwear model, including measurements in inches and centimeters, to assist them in discovering their next perfect pair of shoes.


Timeline

August 2023 - December 2023


Role

UX Designer and UX Researcher



Constraint

Convoluted Research Process

Currently, there is no simple way to compare footwear from different manufacturers without having multiple tabs opened.

Shoe Sizing isn't standardized

Shoe sizes aren't standardized; leading to consumers to buy ill-fitting footwear

Lack of Knowledge about the Fit

Consumers are often unaware of the multiple reasons their shoes don’t fit properly, such as sizing discrepancies between brands, the need to size up or down for specific activities, or variations in foot shape.

Persona

Onesole Style Guide

Onesole Style Guide

Onesole Style Guide

Onesolev1

Comprehensive Data

Primary concern: As a database achieving information parity with competitors was paramount.

  • Conducted an in-depth analysis of successful competitor sites, focusing on content structure.

  • Examination revealed competitor sites featured:

    • Concise, bullet-pointed details

    • Information on material, build construction, and release date


Goal:

  • Ensured the site met and exceeded industry standards by providing a comprehensive and competitive information offering.

  • The database will provide footwear measurements in transparent, clear, and widely recognized metrics such as inches and centimeters for more accurate sizing.



Compare

The "compare" feature is a key component for the database.

  • Focused on developing the compare and purchase flow, saving it for the final stages due to its complexity and importance.

  • One user emphasized the need for a better way to compare footwear. To address this, the comparison feature was added to streamline the process by eliminating the need to visit multiple sites.


Multiple Size

Developed the concept of saving multiple size variations to provide users with more flexibility.

  • Key benefits for users:

    • Ability to save footwear sizes for historical reference.

    • Easier to purchase footwear for others

    • Enables accurate size comparison across different footwear.

Responsive Design

Chose a responsive design to ensure broad compatibility across all platforms.

  • Benefits of this decision:

    • Enabled simultaneous exploration of both web and mobile design. (Designer)

    • Allowed users to access the database on multiple platforms.

    • Convenience was a critical feature, as shoppers preferred the ease of online shopping compared to physical retailers.

Onesolev1 Usability Test

Issues with feature - Multiple Sizes

The first testing phase with five individuals revealed significant issues with the "multiple sizes" feature.

  • Key findings:

    • Confusion with the feature for most testers.

    • Testers did not find the feature for saving size variations of the same model useful.

Buried Features

Key features, like "favorites" and "compare," were hidden behind a tedious process, obscured on the product page.

  • The placement impacted user accessibility to these key features.

Accessibility Issues

Opting for a responsive layout posed challenges as a beginner designer.

  • Faced complexities related to accessibility and component sizing.

  • A specific challenge involved the footer:

    • The text buttons were too small, making them unusable.

Onesolev2

Compare Overlay

Usability testing revealed that key features were buried on the product page.


To address this, I moved the compare feature to the header, ensuring it was available on all screens and incorporated a comprehensive overlay with detailed information about the footwear.

  • The goal was to help consumers make informed decisions and ultimately find the perfect fit for their needs from any screens.

Review

Reviews became a critical component in the second iteration, as research and interviews revealed their importance.

  • Users relied on reviews as an indicator for true sizing and a source of honest feedback.

  • Reviews also highlighted key features or faults of the shoes, providing users with valuable insights before making a purchase.

Refinement

Refining spacing and font consistency was crucial.

  • A major area of improvement was the "reviews" section, where improper spacing and sizing made it difficult for users to locate elements like the "write a review" button.

In conclusion, this project addresses the issue of inconsistent shoe sizing resulting from manufacturers deviating from established industry guidelines. The primary objective revolves around the creation of a specialized database designed to provide precise and easily accessible sizing information. Setting itself apart through the incorporation of inches and centimeters as metrics instead of traditional vague sizing, the database aims to simplify the research process. Insights from interviews played a pivotal role in refining the user experience, leading to the integration of a comparison feature for efficient product assessment. Usability testing proved instrumental in identifying and resolving key issues, including the removal of the multiple size function and a reworked comparison feature for enhanced accessibility. This project presented challenges in anticipating user behavior, emphasizing the importance of designing an intuitive and user-friendly product in addressing the complexities of footwear sizing.

Conclusion

About

Versatile professional with experience in bakery operations, military service as an Navy Aviation Ordnanceman, and a Bachelor's in Product Design focusing on soft goods. Seeking to transition into UX design, merging creativity, technical skills, and a user-centered approach. Dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and enhancing user experiences across digital platforms.

Contact

In conclusion, this project addresses the issue of inconsistent shoe sizing resulting from manufacturers deviating from established industry guidelines. The primary objective revolves around the creation of a specialized database designed to provide precise and easily accessible sizing information. Setting itself apart through the incorporation of inches and centimeters as metrics instead of traditional vague sizing, the database aims to simplify the research process. Insights from interviews played a pivotal role in refining the user experience, leading to the integration of a comparison feature for efficient product assessment. Usability testing proved instrumental in identifying and resolving key issues, including the removal of the multiple size function and a reworked comparison feature for enhanced accessibility. This project presented challenges in anticipating user behavior, emphasizing the importance of designing an intuitive and user-friendly product in addressing the complexities of footwear sizing.

Conclusion

About

Versatile professional with experience in bakery operations, military service as an Navy Aviation Ordnanceman, and a Bachelor's in Product Design focusing on soft goods. Seeking to transition into UX design, merging creativity, technical skills, and a user-centered approach. Dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and enhancing user experiences across digital platforms.

Contact

About

Versatile professional with experience in bakery operations, military service as an Navy Aviation Ordnanceman, and a Bachelor's in Product Design focusing on soft goods. Seeking to transition into UX design, merging creativity, technical skills, and a user-centered approach. Dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and enhancing user experiences across digital platforms.

Contact

In conclusion, this project addresses the issue of inconsistent shoe sizing resulting from manufacturers deviating from established industry guidelines. The primary objective revolves around the creation of a specialized database designed to provide precise and easily accessible sizing information. Setting itself apart through the incorporation of inches and centimeters as metrics instead of traditional vague sizing, the database aims to simplify the research process. Insights from interviews played a pivotal role in refining the user experience, leading to the integration of a comparison feature for efficient product assessment. Usability testing proved instrumental in identifying and resolving key issues, including the removal of the multiple size function and a reworked comparison feature for enhanced accessibility. This project presented challenges in anticipating user behavior, emphasizing the importance of designing an intuitive and user-friendly product in addressing the complexities of footwear sizing.

Conclusion