Project Overview
The Product
Inked is a virtual tattoo studio app to find your tattoo artist and book appointments.
Project Duration
May 2021 - January 2022
The Challenge
When it comes to getting a tattoo, lots of people struggle finding the right tattoo artist, design, or where to place the design on their body. Usually the user has to go through an initial consultation where they get a sense of their artist’s personality, if this design works and will it work on where they want it. Problems like new location, being shy, transparency, and availability prevent getting a tattoo right away.
Meanwhile for the tattoo artist, booking appointments, adding post-tattoo treatment products, payment, and adjusting to the art expectations seen online to translating on the skin prevent them from conducting tattoos smoothly.
The Goal
Create an app so tattoo artists can have a streamline system for booking appointments and clients can easily find an artist and be prepared for their tattoo appointment.
My Role
Lead UI/UX Designer
My Responsibilites
- Interviews
- User Research
- Creating User Personas
- User Storyboards
- Information Architecture
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- UI Design
- Beta Testing
User Research: Summary
I began my design process with several interviews, creating user personas, and building empathy maps. My user group involved tattoo artists and those with the passion to have several if not many tattoos. Lots of people I interviewed mentioned they were introverted or new to the area which I think was important to include in the design.
I first assumed that everyone in the tattoo industry relies heavily on technology and it was interesting to see that technology is almost a double-edge sword. While it helps it can also create digital images that are potentially a stretch from the original tattoo artists style, leaving both the artist and client frustrated. Most tattoo shops will still use traditional form of communication such as telephone to make appointments.
Pain Points
Expectations
Images and designs found online push the boundaries for tattoo artists because their clients expect them to achieve a certain look
Time
Tattoo artists can get bus based on their seniority and reputation. It’s important for clients to show up or give advance notice for scheduling or it could affect their income. Clients time is important to them too. Often have to wait months to get in an appointment if it’s an artist or look they really want.
Accessability
Users who are shy, and introverted tend to avoid face-to-face communications and will seek email, browse social media or other online systems to search for the right artists.
Inclusivity
It’s difficult for a user to find the right look and if the artist can make that particular look so it’s important to have options out there on one cohesive platform for clients.
User Personas
Lindsay
Lindsay is a full-time tattoo artist who needs an all-in-one system to book clients because it helps her perform her job better and makes her clients happy.
Delia
Delia is a full-time working mom who needs a streamline system to find her preferred artist and book an appointment because she doesn’t always have the time to find an artist and the look she wants.
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User Journey
Objective
Create a flow so users can book appointments with tattoo artists quickly based on style, price, and location.
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Wireframes
We want the user to browse tattoo artists in their desired location so they can book appointments immediately and tattoo artists can maximize their business.
The user can view a gallery of the artist’s work and select an original design or upload and describe their own. This prepares the user and tattoo artist for future face-to-face consultation and by clearing up any questions.
Low-Fidelity Prototype
This low-fidelity version of Inked connected the primary user flow of selecting a tattoo artist, choosing a design, and booking an appointment so a prototype could be used in a usability study with users.
Link to virtual tattoo studio app
UI Mockups
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The goal is to make it easier for the client to find a tattoo based on their design needs. This is especially useful if they are new to the city, introverted, or perhaps do not know anyone within their network who does tattoos. We found that this helps tattoo artists because they now can rely on one platform for booking and paying for appointments: a streamlined system.
Tattoo Artist Finder
Finding the right tattoo artist can be challenge. Between being new to a city or having a preferred style there comes work with finding the right artist. Looking at their gallery of work and expertise can behelpful for the user to narrow down their choice.
Next Steps: Augmented Reality
We want to prepare the client as much as possible for their appointment. Making decisions about tattoos and where to place them are key, which is why building an app can aid in the usr's decision. The client can feel more comfortable about the design as well as its placement. Completing this before in-person contact can save time for both the client and the tattoo artist.
Thank you!!!
