WHAT IS SNKRs?
SNKRs is an online sneaker shopping portal created for users to be able to search for, purchase, sell, and trade rare sneakers. The plan is to research and design a one stop shop for sneaker lovers alike.
RESEARCH PLAN
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
First, let’s see how we stack up against the competition. Below are a couple of examples of both direct and indirect competitors.
Direct Competitors
Businesses that offer the same product, or service, as we do
Indirect Competitors
Businesses that make slightly different products but may still satisfy the same customer base as we do.
SURVEYS AND INTERVIEWS
We created a survey to get a feel of what our potential users like and dislike about buying a selling sneakers via a mobile app. After the surveys were complete, we reached out to those that provided us with their contact info to conduct interviews for more detailed feedback.
Goals of the survey and follow up interviews
How often do users buy and sell sneakers on mobile apps?
What do users like and dislike about buying and selling sneakers on mobile apps?
Interest level in trading sneakers
Do they have a preferred sneaker brand?
Would they be interested in monthly subscription features?
RESPONSES
“I’d like to see how other users have priced their items so I can have an idea on how to price mine”
“Trading can be risky when not done in person. How will i know I’m getting what the other person agreed to send me?”
“A way to see how many sneakers a user has sold. As well as positive and negative feedback they’ve received”
“Deals of the month” Sneakers being sold at a discounted rate for subscription members”
“Release sneakers at random times during the day to avoid losing to bots”
EMPATHY BUILDING
Using the data from the survey, and responses from the interviews, we put together 3 ideal target groups for our app. James, represents the user interested in the overall experience of searching for and purchasing rare sneakers. Richard is the casual user who isn’t too knowledgeable about the sneaker community and is interested in learning more. Sydney is the user who’s major interest is selling the sneakers she has. All 3 of these personas represent major groups of importance for our app.
CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAP
This journey map illustrates a user’s journey and thoughts while attempting to sell a pair of sneakers. Selling sneakers is one of our three most important features and we wanted to illustrate the types of thoughts a user may feel during the process of listing a pair of sneakers.
MOODBOARD
We wanted to add a bit of flair to our design. It is very common for apps based around shopping to have a black a grey aesthetic. We wanted our brand to have a bit more personality to separate us from the rest. The purple and gold color scheme was inspired by a more retro feel.
FINAL PROTOTYPE
CONCLUSION
Challenges
The biggest difficulty with this project was thinking of a way to stand out from the very recognizable, and prevalent competition. The biggest difference between SNKRs and our direct and indirect competitors is our trading feature. Trading can be a very difficult thing to achieve because of the risks it holds. The implementation of an authentication center to verify the items of both users is the most trust worthy way to eliminate the possibility of being scammed. The second stand out is our vibrant color scheme.
Key Takeaways
The sneaker market is a very competitive and quickly growing, space. There are just as many collectors who’s only goal is to obtain rare sneakers, while others may just want to treat themselves to something nice when they can. On the other side, there are others that no longer have the space or just the overall interest to keep their sneakers and would prefer to profit off of the sneakers they own. We wanted to make a one stop shop for all of these core groups, to be able to together and help one another with buying, selling, and trading the sneakers they love.