RESEARCH

DESIGN STRATEGY

CONCEPT TESTING

USER TESTING

MOBILE

PRODUCT DESIGN

StyleGuide

An innovative UX platform tracking and sharing wine data from production to consumption

For my yearlong senior project, I explored the common problem of decision fatigue when choosing outfits each morning. Over two semesters, I researched, iterated, and designed a mobile app and accompanying service that suggests optimal outfits based on weather, location, and events - streamlining the process to save time and mental effort.

Selecting an outfit every morning can be a significant challenge. StyleGuide streamlines your daily outfit selection, minimizing time waste and reducing pre-outing stress.

Select the Right Clothes for the Weather, Occasion, and Events

Select the Right Clothes for the Weather, Occasion, and Events

Responsibility

Responsibility

Secondary Research | Survey & Interview | UX Research Synthesis & Insights Concept Testing | Usability Testing | Wireframing | User Interface Design | Prototyping Video Production

Tools

Tools

Figma | Adobe Photoshop & Premiere Pro

Timeline

Timeline

Sep 2023 - May 2024 (9 Months)

Problem

Choosing daily outfits affects mood and daily experiences, yet many struggle with this task despite having plenty of clothes. AI-based clothing apps, while helpful, often focus only on appearance and miss important factors like comfort and context. This limits their effectiveness in meeting users' full clothing selection needs.

Seeing this gap, we captured the opportunity to create a comprehensive solution for users to inspire and simplify daily outfit selection by utilizing existing clothes, enabling quick and easy decisions.

HMW assist individuals in effortlessly choosing outfits that are not only the most stylish for the weather, but also sustainable and transforming the selection process into an enjoyable experience?

Goals

1.

Help to make confident and suitable decisions

Easily learn about clothing materials with color-coded tags before purchasing, and preview how they will look with your existing wardrobe, helping you make long-lasting decisions.

Showcase wine experiences and collection to share with others on your profile.

2.

Help prevent wardrobe panic with inspiration

Guide you in selecting clothes quickly by considering the weather, helping you choose from your own closet and get inspired by categories related to events and occasions for quick, simple decisions.

Scanning the wine QR code provides users with certification of ownership and helps prevent counterfeit wine collection.

3.

Help you organize your wardrobe by category

Easily save and link clothes to your digital closet for effortless tracking. Help you organize clothes by category and manage each item with ease.

Businesses can access consumer wine data and interests, while consumers can view detailed winery information.

Solution — Key Features

1-1

Color Tag Clothing Label

Provides a guide for optimal wear based on forecasted temperatures when viewing closet items. Helps organize closet by color categories, making it easy to choose clothes from stacks sorted by color.

1-2

Make Confident and Suitable Decisions

Scan clothing labels with your phone for details and outfit suggestions before making a purchase, helping you avoid purchasing clothes you'll only wear once.

2-1

Personalize and customize outfit style

The onboarding steps assist in an easy start with finding personalized and customized style.

2-2

Suggestion and Inspiration

Assign appropriate color tags based on the weather temperature to be worn at different times, either as single garments or layered. Then get inspired by various styles.

2-3

Prepare for Vary Weather Condition and Different Location

The onboarding steps assist in an easy start with finding personalized and customized style.

3-1

Digital Closet

Bring your closet into a digital closet. keep track of owned items and Learn how to style items without having to try them on physically.

3-2

Inspiration

Get inspiration from different categories.

Approach

Explore solutions that suggest outfit options based on weather, occasion, and events rather than solely relying on AI recommendations. These solutions need to align with individual style preferences while incorporating sustainability factors.

Process

Month 1 — 3

Understanding initial exploration

Current Market Research

Define Problems

Competitive Analysis

Survey

Skateholder Interview

Data Analysis

Synthesis of Insights

Month 4 — 5

Developing concepts

Concept Development

Concept Sketching

Concept Testing

User Persona

Customer Journey Map

Month 6 — 7

Prototyping and testing

Task Flow

Wireframing

Prototyping

Hi-Fi Wireframe

User Testing

Month 8 — 9

Delivering real experience

Senior Showcase

What I learned

Many people are dissatisfied with their clothing choices and experience stress when selecting what to wear.

I conducted research and validated problems related to people's dissatisfaction with their clothing choices and the unhealthy habits they have developed.

I conducted research and validated problems related to people's dissatisfaction with their clothing choices and the unhealthy habits they have developed.

Major Issues

People overspend time in their closet choosing what to wear every morning in a rush.

People overspend time in their closet choosing what to wear every morning in a rush.

61% of Americans experience 'Wardrobe Panic' - struggling to choose an outfit despite having a full closet. They spend an average of 8 hours per month on this task. This time-consuming process often results in last-minute clothing choices, leading to dissatisfaction.

61% of Americans experience 'Wardrobe Panic' - struggling to choose an outfit despite having a full closet. They spend an average of 8 hours per month on this task. This time-consuming process often results in last-minute clothing choices, leading to dissatisfaction.

People dress unhealthily, resulting in choosing clothes inappropriate for the weather.

People dress unhealthily, resulting in choosing clothes inappropriate for the weather.

Predicting weather changes throughout the day - from morning to afternoon to evening - poses a challenge, making it difficult to choose appropriate outfits. Sudden weather fluctuations further complicate the task of selecting suitable attire for different situations.

Predicting weather changes throughout the day - from morning to afternoon to evening - poses a challenge, making it difficult to choose appropriate outfits. Sudden weather fluctuations further complicate the task of selecting suitable attire for different situations.

Overconsumption, often end up not using the clothes they own and continuously find themselves buying new ones.

Overconsumption, often end up not using the clothes they own and continuously find themselves buying new ones.

28% of the items in the average person’s closet have never been worn or have gone untouched for over a year. Despite having a full wardrobe, many people struggle to decide what to wear, leading them to continually purchase new clothes.

28% of the items in the average person’s closet have never been worn or have gone untouched for over a year. Despite having a full wardrobe, many people struggle to decide what to wear, leading them to continually purchase new clothes.

What I explored

The market currently lacks solutions that recommend and assist users in choosing clothes at a glance without overly relying on AI recommendations.

I engaged in hands-on testing of 4 different weather + digital wardrobe apps and reviewed user feedback from major app stores to gain a comprehensive understanding. I focused on identifying and annotation their main goals and in both positive and negative aspects and these apps’ functionalities and user interactions.

I engaged in hands-on testing of 4 different weather + digital wardrobe apps and reviewed user feedback from major app stores to gain a comprehensive understanding. I focused on identifying and annotation their main goals and in both positive and negative aspects and these apps’ functionalities and user interactions.

What we sees

Many people face challenges when choosing their daily outfits. These challenges encourage people to make better use of the clothes they own and apply them to various situations.

I explored how people currently feel about choosing outfits and found that existing platforms don't seem to fully meet their needs. As part of the recruitment stage and survey, I received 30 responses and spoke with 3 individuals for interviews and user testing. These participants often find it challenging to choose outfits.

I explored how people currently feel about choosing outfits and found that existing platforms don't seem to fully meet their needs. As part of the recruitment stage and survey, I received 30 responses and spoke with 3 individuals for interviews and user testing. These participants often find it challenging to choose outfits.

Insights

Key Insight 1 : To reduce waste, individuals seek to understand clothing better and thoughtfully plan their outfits before buying

"I often discover clothes in my wardrobe that I don't recall purchasing or wearing recently. I'd like to avoid this and strive for a more sustainable approach."

"I often discover clothes in my wardrobe that I don't recall purchasing or wearing recently. I'd like to avoid this and strive for a more sustainable approach."

Key Insight 2 : Desiring inspiration from their existing wardrobe while maintaining their personal taste in decision-making

"I want inspiration based on my wardrobe. Also, many other digital wardrobe apps only offer AI recommendations. How can I trust them to match my taste? I still want to make decision."

"I want inspiration based on my wardrobe. Also, many other digital wardrobe apps only offer AI recommendations. How can I trust them to match my taste? I still want to make decision."

Key Insight 3 : Getting ready for various weather conditions and occasions at different times

"The weather fluctuates throughout the day, and it's not always reliable. I want recommendations based on the current weather or suggestions for what to wear during different times of the day."

"The weather fluctuates throughout the day, and it's not always reliable. I want recommendations based on the current weather or suggestions for what to wear during different times of the day."

Turning Insight into Concepts

How Might We assist individuals in effortlessly choosing outfits that are not only the most stylish for the weather, but also sustainable and transforming the selection process into an enjoyable experience?

How Might We assist individuals in effortlessly choosing outfits that are not only the most stylish for the weather, but also sustainable and transforming the selection process into an enjoyable experience?

A device that suggests the most suitable outfit for the day, considering weather conditions, location, and scheduled events, learns from the user's past habits, and showcases wardrobe options digitally for preview.

Identifying potential opportunities

I discovered potential opportunities by conducting an opportunity analysis and exploring concepts.

I decided to refine my WeatherWear Color Tags concept by conducting several interviews to gather valuable feedback. The interviews revealed that most people prefer to obtain information about clothes at a glance, without much deliberation.

I decided to refine my WeatherWear Color Tags concept by conducting several interviews to gather valuable feedback. The interviews revealed that most people prefer to obtain information about clothes at a glance, without much deliberation.

Defining persona and goals

I created a persona named Lila to see how I could help her choose outfits for various weather conditions, events, and occasions. I tailored solutions to her needs and goals, observed her habits, and explored how the StyleGuide service could assist her effectively.

User storyboarding

I validated my ideas through concept sketching and user testing with 3 participants.

01

Initial Concept

01

Initial Concept

01

Initial Concept

02

Second Concept

02

Second Concept

02

Second Concept

03

Final Concept

03

Final Concept

03

Final Concept

BEFORE

I found this approach too complicated and similar to other digital closet apps. People want an easy way to engage with the service and get valuable clothing recommendations without the hassle of recording every outfit they wear. People don’t want to focues on the AI recommendation.

AFTER

Allow users to tangibly engage with the product. Even without using the app, the color of the label will suggest what to wear based on the weather. Additionally, providing clothing information through scanning the tag before purchasing helps users make sustainable choices. Still their decision, human decision is engaging with just giving inspiration on each styles.

Defining user flow, interactions, and processes

I created a user journey map to illustrate how my service and an app will flow. This helps visualize how it effectively assists users in choosing their outfits successfully.

System Architecture

I analyzed the persona's needs and goals to design a streamlined user flow that saves time and effort required to accomplish key tasks within the app and service.

I mapped out key path scenarios that guide users to their primary use cases. Since the main user goal is finding outfit inspiration, most journeys culminate at the inspiration page.

I mapped out key path scenarios that guide users to their primary use cases. Since the main user goal is finding outfit inspiration, most journeys culminate at the inspiration page.

I want to be able to quickly access clothing information before making a purchase.

I want to receive personalized clothing recommendations and style inspiration that align with my preferences.

Onboarding: Personalizing style preferences and habits

Inspiration: Weather-based outfit recommendations based on color tags or categories

I want to be able to plan my outfits in advance and see how they look digitally without having to wear them physically.

Design system

Given that the project focuses on selecting clothes from one's closet to guide personal style, I opted for a warm and friendly design. Color-coded tags on clothing items enable quick and intuitive navigation with strong and solid colors.

Design Explorations

I refined the home screen with multiple designs, focusing on informing users about optimal color choices for different time slots and weather conditions. The interface allows users to select between single items or layered outfits.

Main Homepage Refinements :

NO

  • Unclear about what the different colors represent

  • Confused by the timeline and the recommendation for wearing inner and outer layers

  • Having trouble showing the current time and weather

  • Unsure of what to wear based on the suggested clothing recommendations for the current situation

Final Design :

YES

  • It provides a clear visual hierarchy and optimal visuals by allowing different categories to be viewed in either a single layer or multiple layers

  • Clearly visible the suggested color tags for the current situation

Final Deliveries

I successfully designed a real space showcase that simulates the experience of choosing clothes from a personal closet, blending shopping and wardrobe management to create an engaging user environment.

I stitched different colored clothing labels to clothes for various weather conditions. This allows people to easily identify what to wear in different weather by looking at the color. Additionally, an NFC tag attached to each label directs them to the app immediately.

I stitched different colored clothing labels to clothes for various weather conditions. This allows people to easily identify what to wear in different weather by looking at the color. Additionally, an NFC tag attached to each label directs them to the app immediately.

Final design

Conclusion

This capstone project involved a long process of researching, testing, and repeatedly refining my designs on my own. It was my first full-length project that I led entirely from start to finish by myself, resulting in a project I'm proud of. Also, It was enjoyable to see my project develop over time as I revised it. However, I still believe there is considerable room for improvement.

WHAT I LEARNED

  • How to gain an understanding of the target audience and design based on their needs.

  • I had to visualize and align the app with the user's understanding, designing in a way that made it understandable without explicit explanations.

  • I finalized designs and products for effective user engagement.

  • Creating scenarios to streamline the concept and facilitate user understanding.

SOMETHING I WANT TO IMPROVE ON

For the majority of the time, I was more focused on researching and finalizing the concept I wanted to explore further in terms of the UI. I definitely want to focus more on the testing part moving forward. Since my target audience of those with color blindness was not included, if I had more time, I would want to design for their needs as well to make it accessible. I learned that revising the project based on user testing is important for improving it.