Link to Prototype
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RSPCA
Pet Care
DURATION: APRIL 2023 - MAY 2023
RSPCA Australia is a renowned animal welfare organization established in 1892. As the oldest and largest charity of its kind in Western Australia, RSPCA relies on the generous support of donors and the community.
By creating a mobile app prototype that aligns with their vision and design language, I aim to empower pet owners with the knowledge and resources needed for proper pet care, diet, exercise routines, and access to local pet services, ultimately supporting the RSPCA's mission in promoting animal welfare across the region.
Research
Petazy
Great Pet Care
Pets On Tap
4 Paws
Dog Buddy
Coco
Takeaway
In researching existing design solutions for pet care apps, I delved into various applications like Great Pet Care, 4 Paws, Dog Buddy, Pets On Tap, Petazy, and CoCo, analyzing their unique visual and technical strategies.
I decided to employ design principles such as proximity, contour bias, and visual hierarchy to create an intuitive and engaging user interface. My design proposals incorporate a simplified colour palette, clear typographical hierarchies, and interactive elements like animated icons and customizable tracking systems to enhance usability and aesthetic appeal.
Current App Design Trends
After researching these existing design solutions, I have identified some design trends I would like to incorporate into my final prototype:
Progress gradient effect:
By incorporating this trend, I'll use gradients to communicate the progress of a task visually
Hand-drawn illustrations:
I'll include them to add a personal touch to my app and make it more approachable.
Tesler's Law:
I will simplify the app's user interface and workflow to ensure that it remains easy to use and understand.
Affinity Mapping
& User Goals
After Conducting interviews with people who fit into the target audience range, I have mapped consistent feedback into specific user affinities.
This has helped me to identify the following user goals:
User Goal 1
Access to personalized advice and information specific to their pet's needs, such as dietary requirements, exercise routines, and suitable environments.
User Goal 2
Convenience in finding and accessing pet-related information, services, and resources, including locating nearby pet stores, groomers, trainers, and veterinarians.
User Goal 3
Access to an integrated platform to track pet care activities, such as feeding schedules, daily exercise, and overall well-being, as well as reminders and tutorials for proper pet care.
Target Audience
The RSPCA pet care app serves a diverse audience, including first-time pet owners seeking basic guidance, experienced owners looking to deepen their knowledge, and individuals with specific pet care needs. It also caters to busy service seekers looking for convenient access to local pet care services, accommodating users with varying levels of expertise.
Design Research
Concept #1 - Context version
The context version of the prototype will follow RSPCA Australia's existing branding, including their logo, colours, imagery, and iconography. This version will provide a consistent and cohesive user experience that aligns with the organization's identity while offering valuable information and resources related to pet care and services.
Concept #2 - Aesthetic version
The aesthetic version will focus on providing a visually appealing and engaging user experience that goes beyond the standard branding of RSPCA Australia. This version will explore alternative design elements to create a more immersive and captivating user experience.
Concept #3 - Accessibility version
The accessibility variation will prioritize users' needs with specific disabilities or limitations. This version will incorporate features that make the app more accessible and user-friendly for individuals with visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments.
Final Concept
Exploring various versions of the app, including context-driven, aesthetically focused, and accessibility-oriented iterations, has been enlightening and informed my understanding of what the app should deliver.
The final version I've adopted primarily embraces the aesthetic approach yet integrates the best aspects of each variant, refined through user testing and interviews.
These interviews offered clear insights into the desires of our target audience, making the development process highly informative. Overall, this project has been an amazing learning experience, and I am confident that the app will significantly benefit pet owners across Australia.