Fit Finder
Fit Finder
Fit Finder
Fit Finder
DEPOP
DEPOP
DEPOP
DEPOP
Redesigning a platform that brings together self-expression & accessible fashion
Redesigning a platform that brings together self-expression & accessible fashion
Redesigning a platform that brings together self-expression & accessible fashion
Redesigning a platform that brings together self-expression & accessible fashion
ROLE
ROLE
Product Manager
UI Designer
Product Manager
UI Designer
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
3 months
[Sept 2023 - Dec 2023]
3 months
[Sept 2023 - Dec 2023]
TEAM
TEAM
4 Product Managers
4 Product Managers
SKILLS
SKILLS
Prototyping
Usability Testing
User Testing
Information Architecture
Prototyping
Usability Testing
User Testing
Information Architecture
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma
Figma
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Depop is a mobile app for users to resell clothing and shop from the latest trends & an assortment of styles. It’s platform emerged as a online platform for reselling secondhand clothes with a particular focus on trends & Gen Z audiences.
My group of four and I were tasked with improving Depop by changing or introducing a new feature for our class, Tech Product Design, with the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. We spent three months exploring our problem space & users, diverging our consolidated ideas to ideate solutions that would encompass our research findings, and converging to create a feature that addressed the needs of our target users.
Depop is a mobile app for users to resell clothing and shop from the latest trends & an assortment of styles. It’s platform emerged as a online platform for reselling secondhand clothes with a particular focus on trends & Gen Z audiences.
My group of four and I were tasked with improving Depop by changing or introducing a new feature for our class, Tech Product Design, with the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. We spent three months exploring our problem space & users, diverging our consolidated ideas to ideate solutions that would encompass our research findings, and converging to create a feature that addressed the needs of our target users.
Depop is a mobile app for users to resell clothing and shop from the latest trends & an assortment of styles. It’s platform emerged as a online platform for reselling secondhand clothes with a particular focus on trends & Gen Z audiences.
My group of four and I were tasked with improving Depop by changing or introducing a new feature for our class, Tech Product Design, with the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. We spent three months exploring our problem space & users, diverging our consolidated ideas to ideate solutions that would encompass our research findings, and converging to create a feature that addressed the needs of our target users.
STAGE 1
STAGE 1
STAGE 1
Exploration: User Research
Exploration: User Research
Exploration: User Research
To begin, my team and I had to understand what Depop’s values were, who our target customers were, and what problems existed for them that needed solving. To understand what our customer was feeling as they interacted with our product, we outlined an empathy map. What are some of the pains and hopes of our user?
To begin, my team and I had to understand what Depop’s values were, who our target customers were, and what problems existed for them that needed solving. To understand what our customer was feeling as they interacted with our product, we outlined an empathy map. What are some of the pains and hopes of our user?
To begin, my team and I had to understand what Depop’s values were, who our target customers were, and what problems existed for them that needed solving. To understand what our customer was feeling as they interacted with our product, we outlined an empathy map. What are some of the pains and hopes of our user?
Excitement finding secondhand clothes that make them feel confident and suit their style
Excitement finding secondhand clothes that make them feel confident and suit their style
Excitement finding secondhand clothes that make them feel confident and suit their style
Satisfaction finding discounted deals on items they want
Satisfaction finding discounted deals on items they want
Satisfaction finding discounted deals on items they want
Frustration from being unable to find clothing that matches their style
Frustration from being unable to find clothing that matches their style
Frustration from being unable to find clothing that matches their style
Annoyed at inflated prices and high shipping costs
Annoyed at inflated prices and high shipping costs
Annoyed at inflated prices and high shipping costs
Empathy Map
Empathy Map
Empathy Map
Excitement finding secondhand clothes that make them feel confident and suit their style
Satisfaction finding discounted deals on items they want
Frustration from being unable to find clothing that matches their style
Annoyed at inflated prices and high shipping costs
Empathy Map
Following the empathy map, we conducted 15 user interviews to further explore the pain points & goals that potential Depop customers were feeling. I interviewed various buyers and sellers around 18-22 years old about their experiences with secondhand shopping online and Depop and found an emerging archetype from our interviews.
Following the empathy map, we conducted 15 user interviews to further explore the pain points & goals that potential Depop customers were feeling. I interviewed various buyers and sellers around 18-22 years old about their experiences with secondhand shopping online and Depop and found an emerging archetype from our interviews.
Following the empathy map, we conducted 15 user interviews to further explore the pain points & goals that potential Depop customers were feeling. I interviewed various buyers and sellers around 18-22 years old about their experiences with secondhand shopping online and Depop and found an emerging archetype from our interviews.
Trisha (she/her)
21 y/o
21 y/o
21 y/o
21 y/o
NYU Student
NYU Student
NYU Student
NYU Student
Follows fashion trends
on social media
Follows fashion trends
on social media
Follows fashion trends
on social media
Follows fashion trends
on social media
“I’ve been wanting a denim skirt but can’t find it at the thrift or cheap on retail. I’m just going to accept I’ll never have it.”
“I’ve been wanting a denim skirt but can’t find it at the thrift or cheap on retail. I’m just going to accept I’ll never have it.”
“I’ve been wanting a denim skirt but can’t find it at the thrift or cheap on retail. I’m just going to accept I’ll never have it.”
“I’ve been wanting a denim skirt but can’t find it at the thrift or cheap on retail. I’m just going to accept I’ll never have it.”
Pain Points
Pain Points
Pain Points
Pain Points
Doesn’t have much time to commit to fashion
Lack of transportation to thrift stores
Limited budget
Hard to find specific items at the thrift store
Doesn’t have much time to commit to fashion
Lack of transportation to thrift stores
Limited budget
Hard to find specific items at the thrift store
Doesn’t have much time to commit to fashion
Lack of transportation to thrift stores
Limited budget
Hard to find specific items at the thrift store
Doesn’t have much time to commit to fashion
Lack of transportation to thrift stores
Limited budget
Hard to find specific items at the thrift store
Goals
Goals
Goals
Goals
Cultivate personal style
Keep in touch with social scenes & trends through fashion
Save money
Save time looking for clothing
Cultivate personal style
Keep in touch with social scenes & trends through fashion
Save money
Save time looking for clothing
Cultivate personal style
Keep in touch with social scenes & trends through fashion
Save money
Save time looking for clothing
Cultivate personal style
Keep in touch with social scenes & trends through fashion
Save money
Save time looking for clothing
So after all this research, what is it that Depop users really care about?
So after all this research, what is it that Depop users really care about?
So after all this research, what is it that Depop users really care about?
accessibility & ease of online shopping
accessibility & ease of online shopping
expression through style & fashion
expression through style & fashion
social benefits of secondhand fashion
social benefits of secondhand fashion
accessibility & ease of online shopping
expression through style & fashion
social benefits of secondhand fashion
social benefits of secondhand fashion
accessibility & ease of online shopping
expression through style & fashion
social benefits of secondhand fashion
social benefits of secondhand fashion
and how can our team translate these values to a solution?
and how can our team translate these values to a solution?
and how can our team translate these values to a solution?
STAGE 2
STAGE 2
STAGE 2
Divergence: Ideating
Divergence: Ideating
Divergence: Ideating
Based on the various pain points that we identified from our interviews, I led a design ideation session to consolidate our findings using an opportunity solution tree. We decided to hone in on one specific user story that resonated across almost all of our interviews -- the difficulty of finding specific items that matched their personal styles.
Based on the various pain points that we identified from our interviews, I led a design ideation session to consolidate our findings using an opportunity solution tree. We decided to hone in on one specific user story that resonated across almost all of our interviews -- the difficulty of finding specific items that matched their personal styles.
Based on the various pain points that we identified from our interviews, I led a design ideation session to consolidate our findings using an opportunity solution tree. We decided to hone in on one specific user story that resonated across almost all of our interviews -- the difficulty of finding specific items that matched their personal styles.
BREAKING DOWN THE PROBLEM
Users want to...
Users want to...
Users want to...
Users want to...
Buy an item on Depop
Buy an item on Depop
Buy an item on Depop
Buy an item on Depop
They then face a problem
They then face a problem
They then face a problem
They then face a problem
Difficulty finding specific items
Difficulty finding specific items
Difficulty finding specific items
Difficulty finding specific items
Various subproblems emerge
Various subproblems emerge
Various subproblems emerge
Various subproblems emerge
Overwhelmed by inaccurately described listings
Overwhelmed by inaccurately described listings
Overwhelmed by inaccurately described listings
Overwhelmed by inaccurately described listings
Can’t compare between similar listings
Can’t compare between similar listings
Can’t compare between similar listings
Can’t compare between similar listings
Recommended items from Depop aren’t to user liking
Recommended items from Depop aren’t to user liking
Describing specific types of items
Describing specific types of items
Describing specific types of items
Describing specific types of items
Filter / sorting tools aren’t specific enough
Filter / sorting tools aren’t specific enough
Filter / sorting tools aren’t specific enough
Filter / sorting tools aren’t specific enough
Recommended items from Depop aren’t to user liking
Breaking down the problem
DRAFTING SOLUTIONS
DRAFTING SOLUTIONS
DRAFTING SOLUTIONS
Affinity Mapping to translate research goals -> features
Affinity Mapping to translate research goals -> features
Affinity Mapping to translate research goals -> features
Solution brainstorming
Solution brainstorming
Solution brainstorming
Reporting tag abuse
Reporting tag abuse
Reporting tag abuse
Request / “looking to buy” page
Request / “looking to buy” page
Request / “looking to buy” page
Provide recommended price for items
Provide recommended price for items
Provide recommended price for items
Item authentication system
Item authentication system
Item authentication system
Display metrics of seller credibility
Display metrics of seller credibility
Display metrics of seller credibility
Search by Image tool
Search by Image tool
Search by Image tool
During our ideation process, we brainstormed solutions inspired by user pain points and placed them onto an effort vs. impact scale to identify which feature satisfied as many user needs as possible while being feasible, economical and desirable.
During our ideation process, we brainstormed solutions inspired by user pain points and placed them onto an effort vs. impact scale to identify which feature satisfied as many user needs as possible while being feasible, economical and desirable.
During our ideation process, we brainstormed solutions inspired by user pain points and placed them onto an effort vs. impact scale to identify which feature satisfied as many user needs as possible while being feasible, economical and desirable.
STAGE 3
STAGE 3
STAGE 3
Convergence: Prototyping
Convergence: Prototyping
Convergence: Prototyping
The final feature we decided to create was called “Fit Finder," a tool that could recognize clothing items from any photo using AI and in turn, generate listings to an almost exact match to what users were seeking to find. The “search-by-image” feature was able to satisfy the most user pain points and provide customer delight.
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
Users are overwhelmed by listings that don’t match their search or filter preferences due to inaccurate tagging.
Users are overwhelmed by listings that don’t match their search or filter preferences due to inaccurate tagging.
Users are overwhelmed by listings that don’t match their search or filter preferences due to inaccurate tagging.
Users are overwhelmed by listings that don’t match their search or filter preferences due to inaccurate tagging.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
The AI generated tags analyzes photos for closest matches and generates listings that are not keyword search based (listings are often tagged by sellers with inaccurate keywords to increase attention to items).
The AI generated tags analyzes photos for closest matches and generates listings that are not keyword search based (listings are often tagged by sellers with inaccurate keywords to increase attention to items).
The AI generated tags analyzes photos for closest matches and generates listings that are not keyword search based (listings are often tagged by sellers with inaccurate keywords to increase attention to items).
The AI generated tags analyzes photos for closest matches and generates listings that are not keyword search based (listings are often tagged by sellers with inaccurate keywords to increase attention to items).
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
Users don't know what to search to find their specific item.
Users don't know what to search to find their specific item.
Users don't know what to search to find their specific item.
Users don't know what to search to find their specific item.
SOLUTION
Added a camera option right next to the search bar to indicate the functionality of taking a photo instead of using words to search.
SOLUTION
Option to upload or to take your own photos increases accessibility for those that struggle to search by keyword.
SOLUTION
AI analysis of the photos eliminates the need for tricky filtering or sorting and generates clothing specific to desired photos.
SOLUTION
Added a camera option right next to the search bar to indicate the functionality of taking a photo instead of using words to search.
SOLUTION
Option to upload or to take your own photos increases accessibility for those that struggle to search by keyword.
SOLUTION
AI analysis of the photos eliminates the need for tricky filtering or sorting and generates clothing specific to desired photos.
FULL PROTOTYPE DEMO
FULL PROTOTYPE DEMO
FULL PROTOTYPE DEMO
FULL PROTOTYPE DEMO
A simple feature that fosters expression and minimizes the barrier to entry for secondhand fashion.
A simple feature that fosters expression and minimizes the barrier to entry for secondhand fashion.
A simple feature that fosters expression and minimizes the barrier to entry for secondhand fashion.
A simple feature that fosters expression and minimizes the barrier to entry for secondhand fashion.
STAGE 4
STAGE 4
STAGE 4
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
After our final prototype, our team conducted usability tests on students that use Depop frequently to observe how they interacted with the prototype, what confusions they had, and what aspects of it they liked. Additionally, we asked about their thoughts on the “search-by-image” feature in general. Here are some of the wins & rooms for improvement that we discovered:
After our final prototype, our team conducted usability tests on students that use Depop frequently to observe how they interacted with the prototype, what confusions they had, and what aspects of it they liked. Additionally, we asked about their thoughts on the “search-by-image” feature in general. Here are some of the wins & rooms for improvement that we discovered:
After our final prototype, our team conducted usability tests on students that use Depop frequently to observe how they interacted with the prototype, what confusions they had, and what aspects of it they liked. Additionally, we asked about their thoughts on the “search-by-image” feature in general. Here are some of the wins & rooms for improvement that we discovered:
Successes
Successes
Successes
AI generated tags made the process intuitive for every clothing item in the photo
AI generated tags made the process intuitive for every clothing item in the photo
AI generated tags made the process intuitive for every clothing item in the photo
Users felt more empowered to seek out mediums of fashion inspiration
Users felt more empowered to seek out mediums of fashion inspiration
Users felt more empowered to seek out mediums of fashion inspiration
Users expressed interest in utilizing the feature when shopping retail to check if buying secondhand was more affordable.
Users expressed interest in utilizing the feature when shopping retail to check if buying secondhand was more affordable.
Users expressed interest in utilizing the feature when shopping retail to check if buying secondhand was more affordable.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Next Steps
Ability to edit tags
Ability to edit tags
Ability to edit tags
Mistrust of AI acts as a barrier to usage
Mistrust of AI acts as a barrier to usage
Mistrust of AI acts as a barrier to usage
Camera icon on the landing page is not intuitive to what the feature is
Camera icon on the landing page is not intuitive to what the feature is
Camera icon on the landing page is not intuitive to what the feature is
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
After exploring Depop’s target users, diverging on the problem space to ideate solutions, and converging on a search-by-image feature, I took away 3 key lessons that I use in my design philosophy now.
After exploring Depop’s target users, diverging on the problem space to ideate solutions, and converging on a search-by-image feature, I took away 3 key lessons that I use in my design philosophy now.
After exploring Depop’s target users, diverging on the problem space to ideate solutions, and converging on a search-by-image feature, I took away 3 key lessons that I use in my design philosophy now.
START FROM THE USER
START FROM THE USER
START FROM THE USER
When we started out, what I thought the user needed ended up being totally different from what we created. Always start from the user, understand their needs, and the design will build itself.
When we started out, what I thought the user needed ended up being totally different from what we created. Always start from the user, understand their needs, and the design will build itself.
When we started out, what I thought the user needed ended up being totally different from what we created. Always start from the user, understand their needs, and the design will build itself.
BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER
BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER
BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER
I thought in order to create something new and attractive, you had to completely reinvent the wheel on a big level. However, the smallest features can have big implications on the user's experience.
I thought in order to create something new and attractive, you had to completely reinvent the wheel on a big level. However, the smallest features can have big implications on the user's experience.
I thought in order to create something new and attractive, you had to completely reinvent the wheel on a big level. However, the smallest features can have big implications on the user's experience.
THE POWER OF A STORY
THE POWER OF A STORY
THE POWER OF A STORY
Because we had such a research-intensive product development process, our team members fully understood our users & problem space. This informed our ability to tell our product's story to stakeholders, users, and more.
Because we had such a research-intensive product development process, our team members fully understood our users & problem space. This informed our ability to tell our product's story to stakeholders, users, and more.
Because we had such a research-intensive product development process, our team members fully understood our users & problem space. This informed our ability to tell our product's story to stakeholders, users, and more.
Want to see more of my work?
Want to see more of my work?
Want to see more of my work?