STARSHINE

PROJECT OVERVIEW

ASSIGNMENT SCENARIO:

Starshine Applications created a barter app for small, local, independent service businesses such as home carers (babysitters, elder care etc), cleaners, accountants, lawyers, caterers, lawn care and tutors. They have been around for 5 years and want to update their website, which includes the mobile app used for bartering. The site was originally created by an agency and maintained internally by their 2 person marketing team. It has fallen behind, and they are beginning to lose members. Pitch your services by redesigning a segment of the Starshine Applications.

ROLES:

Competitive Analysis, User Research, Design

TOOLS:

Axure, Figma, Powerpoint

PROJECT TIME:

Initial pitch design and development -1 week.

RESEARCH

After researching competitors and analyzing what has been successful across their platforms, I have drawn several conclusions that must be implemented into the Starshine App. A few of my key take-aways are that bartering is much more than seeking to exchange services without fees. People who are intrigued by bartering have a mindset that centers around re/up-cycling, reusing and reducing waste, as well as a generous interest to help others. When groups of like-minded people such as this congregate (even virtually) they are likely to naturally create a social network by word of mouth referrals.

Given the nature of exchanging services, one of the most important pieces of information to procure from the user upfront is their location. Therefore, the map is important to be a feature displayed in the first user interaction.

If services are in-person only, this will limit the ability to refer and be referred. If users are developing relationships and have a sense of community within the Starshine App, they will be more likely to become evengelical adopters and bring more users in to grow the network, therefore expanding the locations offered. More people, more places, more services, more users.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Creating elements of social interaction will encourage users to feel more connected and eager to use the application repeatedly.

PAIN POINTS &
OPPORTUNITIES

CHALLENGE 1: Website Infrastructure

Website only not mobile friendly
Team dedicated to maintain digital content

CHALLENGE 2: User Engagement and Retainment

Users engagement is declining

SOLUTIONS

Above you will see my lo-fi concepts for the Starshine mobile application.

1: HOME SCREEN

Users can search services without creating and account however, if they would like to move past the search step, they will be required to create or log in to an account. The search function Basic user information is gathered at the top of the screen for easy accessibility to messages, offers and adding a service.

2: SEARCH FUNCTION

The following is an initial reciprocal search of the services in which the users are offering and seeking, as well as the hours sought fore each service. This search function will offer pre-populated options to add that can be overwritten with a free type space.

3: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

One of our top notes from research was regarding the location of services offered. Many services are in-person and require local users to be able to commute to one another. The zip code and proximity search criteria along with the map will help users understand exactly how far they are willing to go for their barters.

4: MY ACCOUNT

Once the user has decided to join and creates a user name and password, they will be directed to their private home screen. Here the user can start listing their services. They will accrue a list of specific reciprocal offers they have made to the general audience of the website. They can then view any offers made, as well as the users profiles that are viewing their offers. Additionally they will be able to build out a public facing profile to show their resume, reviews from previous clients and any other information thy choose to share.

5: SERVICE LISTING

Users will make a service listing that is different for each need. They may make the same offer of their own service for 3 different types of work in return. Each one of them a different listing to be satisfied. Conversely, perhaps they want to offer multiple different services or amounts of hours but are always seeking the same service in return. Each of these would be a different listing as well. The listings would be stacked in their account home page with a synopsis of messages regarding the listing, offers people have made to satisfy the listing and of course an edit function.

6: SOCIAL NETWORK

The last feature in the account home page, is the personal connection that is the glue that sticks this app together. The user can see who is viewing their listings and their profiles. The thought behind this function is that if Suzy is a lawyer, viewing Jane's profile advertising child care services, and Jane is only advertising that she is seeking a landscaper, Suzy may be discouraged to reach out as her service offer doesn't line up with Jane's needs. However if Jane sees that Suzy is viewing her services, Jane may decide she does in fact need legal help and privately message Suzy to manage their own barter hadn't initially been advertised. This creates a more personal experience and making people feel like they are engaging with the Starshine community.

CONCLUSION

While this is only an initial concept for the app, the structure has legs. It would be a heavily multifaceted design with many layers to explore more deeply and conceptualize exactly how the social network aspect of the app would play out. It would be an exciting prospect to think about how an app like this could invigorate communities on a whole new level help them flourish socially and economically.

My estimated timeline to complete this project to pass off to developers would be 3 months from the initial jump start to hand off in the timeline below.