PawPad:
Animal Shelter Management Software
(Oct '23 - Dec '23)
Group Project
App Ideation
Adobe CC
UX Designer (Desktop, Client Side)
I lead the app conceptualization process, ideating multiple features for the final product. I designed the user flow and interface for the desktop version for the client-facing side of the working prototype.
Role
Context
The purpose of this course project was to design a client-facing app for a subsector of hospitality. Our group was assigned to create a product for pet services.
We chose to create a solution tailored to pet shelters, recognizing that the existing software in this space often lacks visual appeal. Our vision was to develop an app that would simplify both the management and adoption workflows for shelters, and to incorporate more engaging visuals to foster an intuitive and user-friendly experience.
6.5 million animals enter shelters each year, but only 3.2 million are adopted. 60% of adopted pets are no longer in their adoptive homes six months after their initial adoption, and 20% are returned back to the original shelter.
Through this app, we hope to alleviate shelter management difficulty, increase adoption rates, and decrease rehoming rates.
Existing software in the pet shelter management space often lacks visual appeal.
Out of the 6.5 million animals that enter shelters each year, only 3.2 million are adopted. From those, 60% are re-homed in <6 months, and 20% are returned to the shelter.
To simplify both the shelter management and pet adoption workflows by incorporating more engaging visuals.
To provide better pet education and matching for potential adopters to increase adoption rates while decreasing rehoming rates.
Competitive Analysis
I conducted a competitive analysis of pet shelter management softwares that are currently available softwares to be purchased.
This competitive analysis was helpful in understanding what features pet shelter workers might currently be used to, as well as what core functionalities we need in our design.
Personas
Our collected primary information from pet owners and secondary information about how animal shelters function. We developed personas for both the client and the customer.
We created persona for the client (Shelly), one for the customer (Cameron), and two for middle-men (Sofia & Stephanie).
Storyboard
My role for this project was the desktop dashboard designer. I created storyboards that reflected the needs of both the client and the customer, who have different relationships with the same application.
User Flow
I conducted a competitive analysis with pet shelter management softwares that are currently available to be purchased.
This competitive analysis helped inform my team about what pet shelter workers might be used to using. It also helped us understand what core functionalities we would need to have in our design.
Wireframe
My role for this project was the desktop dashboard designer. I created storyboards that reflected the needs of both the client and the customer, who have different relationships with the same application.
The storyboards were then used for speed dating with other students in our course, targeting those who have had experience with the universe of pets.
The responses from speed dating informed changes to our design, including the value proposition and selection to display. We focused on shifting the desktop design away from a “website” format to a true desktop application. We want user to be able to access everything from one hub, rather than navigating through separate windows.
Mid-fi Prototype: Client Side
A client-side feature we wanted to incorporate was the ability for shelter workers to efficiently compare multiple adoption applications simultaenously.
Feedback + Critique:
Legibility: We received feedback that our client-side dashboard should continue to work on legibility and easy information digestion. We need to further decrease the dependability the user needs on text and reading. Since pet shelter workers may be older or less familiar with conventional desktop dashboards, we need to decrease the level of context needed to achieve fluency in usage of our product.
Overwhelming Information: Our design needs better information hierarchy, which can be achieved by using more clear pictures or icons. Older pet shelter workers may struggle with the amount of information presented on the desktop homepage.
Style Guide
Dashboard: Overview (Home)
Widget System
Inbox
Pet Profile
Compare Applications
While I worked on the desktop dashboard, part of my team also worked on the client-side mobile UI. While I did not contribute directly to the design, I contributed to decisions about core features and user flow.
Stage 1: Questionnaire + Browse
People interested in adopting answer questions so the app can find pets that are most compatible with the adopter.
Stage 2: Schedule a Meeting
After the customer is matched with a suitable pet, they schedule an in-person visit at the shelter.
Stage 3: Application Approval + Pickup
After the applicant is approved, they will be alerted in the app. Here, they can sign paperwork, and browse educational resources that will help them care for their specific furry friend. Lastly, they schedule a time to pick up their new family member from the shelter.