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