Artisan Connect
Artisan connect is a hair matching app that matches individuals with hairstylists based on their hair needs, preferences, and location. It is also designed to help individuals to locate the hairstylist with the appropriate skill set within their immediate environment. This app will collect information of both the consumer(user) and the artisan which will help them locate one another based on individual location.
Problem Space
Problem Statement
How can I make the process of locating the right hairstylist with the appropriate skills within the immediate environment easier and seamless. In order for individuals to derive satisfaction from their hairstyles.
Problem Background
Asking for recommendations from family, friends, or coworkers is a common way people find hairstylists. According to a survey by American Express, 67% of people ask for recommendations from friends and family when searching for a new hairstylist or salon.
Online reviews are also becoming an increasingly popular way to find hairstylists. According to a survey by Bright Local, 93% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase or booking a service.
Social media is another platform that people use to find hairstylists. According to a survey by Facebook, 42% of people have discovered new brands or products on Facebook or Instagram.
In-person visits to salons are also a way to get a sense of the atmosphere and speak with stylists. According to a survey by Phorest Salon Software, 61% of clients say the salon atmosphere is important when choosing a salon.
Consultations with hairstylists are an essential step in finding the right stylist for your hair. According to a survey by Matrix, 84% of people said that consultations were very important to them when choosing a new stylist or salon.
In conclusion, finding the right hairstylist requires a combination of methods, including recommendations, online research, social media, in-person visits, and consultations. By using a variety of resources, individuals can make informed decisions and find a hairstylist who can meet their needs and provide them with the hairstyle they desire.
Research Insights
User Pain Points
I conducted 4 user interviews and here are what I was able to draft out during the user interview.
During our user interviews, we found that users were much more likely to use a hair matching app if it could find them a stylist within their immediate environment. Many users also expressed that they preferred to have a stylist that was familiar with the local culture, trends, and preferences.
One user shared that they had previously used a hair matching app that matched them with a hairstylist who had extensive experience working with curly hair. The user, who had struggled for years to find a stylist who could properly cut and style their curls, was thrilled with the hairstylist's expertise and attention to detail. They continued to see the hairstylist for years, despite the fact that the stylist was located a bit further away than other options.
They believed that this familiarity would make the stylist more likely to give them the perfect haircut or style that they desired. According to the survey research.
Supporting Data
It was found that 60% of participants locate their hair stylist via recommendations from family and friends.
When it comes to finding a great hairstylist, many users rely on recommendations from family and friends. When it comes to getting a great haircut or hairstyle, 70% of users prioritise the expertise of the hairstylist over convenience or location.
Feedback
Our research let us know the pain points of users and we were able to identify what their needs were and how we can address it with a solution. The pain points are essentially locating the hairstylist and the expertise of the hairstylist. The pain points boils down to this major challenge
Landing on the Solution
Based on the pain points of our potential users it was identified that the main pain point for most users was location and expertise of the hairstylist. The goal of this solution is to match individuals with hairstylists based on their location and expertise within their immediate environment.
Explanation of Solution
This solution will ease the stress of users by connecting the users with vendors. This solution will have filters to enable user filters according to location and expertise. It will help users to collaborate by also chatting up hair stylists in order to access more information including costs and type of materials available for their hair. This platform is designed to cater to those who moved from one state or country to the other or move from one environment to another
User Flows/Mockups
Future Steps
Based on my experience and the valuable lessons I have gained from this project, I envision leveraging my insights to collaborate with a team of talented designers and engineers in the development of a new product. Although it may require the allocation of significant time and resources in the future, I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of fully executing this idea and bringing it to fruition. The opportunity to engage in the end-to-end process of product development, from conceptualization to realisation, is something I anticipate with great excitement and dedication.
“Possible additional problems to address”are helping users have a peek of the salon environment before visiting the salon
Learnings
Product Manager Learnings:
Temitayo Mcjulie Ademisoye
In the role of a product manager, it is paramount to concentrate on delineating a problem space centred around a single issue. While it is vital to explore the solution space collaboratively with your team, it is equally crucial to adopt a focused approach when executing the solution.
Furthermore, I gained a profound appreciation for the power of consumer research in shaping successful product strategies. The insights garnered from this research allow us to empathise with our users, tailor our solutions to their needs, and create products that provide meaningful value.
In addition, I recognized the vital role of clear and concise communication in product management. Effectively conveying complex ideas related to problems and solutions is crucial for driving alignment and fostering understanding among stakeholders. This becomes even more critical when collaborating with a team located in a different time zone, where timely and efficient communication becomes a key factor for success.
Designer Learnings:
Designer Learnings:
Jo Sturdivant
- Adapting to an Established Team: Joining the team in week 6 of 8 was challenging, as I had to quickly adapt to existing workflows, dynamics, and goals. This mirrors real-world situations where you often integrate into teams mid-project, and flexibility is essential.
- Work-Blocking for Efficiency: With only two weeks to complete the project, I learned the importance of a structured work-blocking system. This approach allowed me to manage my time effectively and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Making Data-Driven Design Decisions: Unlike my past projects, I had to rely on research conducted by others. This was a valuable experience in using pre-existing data to guide design decisions, helping me focus on the core insights without starting from scratch.
Developer Learnings:
Developer Learnings:
Vanady Beard
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As the back-end developer, I learned how important it is to create efficient and reliable systems that support the entire application. This experience also taught me the importance of optimising the database and ensuring the backend is scalable and easy to maintain.
Developer Learnings:
Stephen Asiedu
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As a back-end developer, I've come to understand the importance of being familiar with various database systems and modules. This knowledge enables me to build diverse applications and maintain versatility in my work. I've also learned that the responsibility for making the right choices rests on my shoulders, guided by my best judgement.
Developer Learnings:
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Developer Learnings:
Maurquise Williams
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- Process of Creating an MVP: Developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) taught me how to focus on delivering core functionalities balancing between essential features and avoiding scope creep.
- Collaboration in a Real-World Tech Setting: This experience taught me how to collaborate efficiently in a fast-paced tech environment, keeping the team aligned and productive, even while working remotely across time zones.
- Sharpening Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: This experience honed my ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently. By tackling challenges and finding quick solutions, I sharpened my decision-making and troubleshooting skills in a dynamic, real-world setting.
Developer Learnings:
Jeremiah Williams
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All in all this experience was very awesome I learned that in coding with others being transparent is key
Developers Learnings:
Justin Farley
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I learned how important communication is when working with a team. Communication provides understanding, advice, ideas, and much more. While working with the product team, I’ve found that communication keeps everything flowing smoothly. Working with a team also showed me that every member brings something different to the table and we all have to work together in order to align and meet our end goal.