Roles & Responsibilities
Co-founder, Interaction Designer, Branding, CX Designer
Zoomni
Zoomni intends to be the one stop platform for cat caretakers and raisers. The platform will serve as a one-stop-shop for everything related to cat breeding, ownership, and care. At Zoomni cat raisers can showcase their cats and kittens, and potential buyers can find their perfect feline companion. Additionally, the platform will offer resources for cat care, including food recommendations, vet services, and more.
2021. During the pandemic there was an explosion of new cat caretakers in Sweden, as stated by cat raisers. As a lifelong cat caretaker myself I could see the need for a digital solution for everything cat and decided to assemble a team to explore the possibilities.
After talking with cat raisers there was an obvious need for a digital solution to manage raising and selling cats to customers. Cat caretakers do not have a one app solution for every need in buying and caring for a cat. Currently no real modern solution is offered to either target group instead solutions are lacking or scattered.
Objective A
Research the fundamental needs of cat raisers and cat caretakers. Investigate the market and explore possible financial market fits.
Objective B
Design & develop a prototype that will serve as a showcase for potential investors. Keep it as grounded and realistic as possible.
An extensive market research and competitor analysis was carried out initially. Several cat raisers was interviewed to gain an insight into the world of cats from their perspective, what were their challenges and needs. Five cat caretakers was interviewed to gain an understanding of what the day to day needs are in terms of having a cat.
User Interviews
Conducted one-on-one interviews with potential users to gain insights into their needs, preferences, and pain points. The interviews were open-ended and explorational. Also attended a cat show to get a feel for the atmosphere of the most dedicated cat caretakers and raisers.
User Personas
Produced user personas that represent the two different segments of our intended target audience based on the interviews.
Market Research
We studied the market to identify existing competitors, trends, and gaps in the industry.
Competitive Analysis
We looked for apps that tried to solve cat caretakers and raisers problem. Since our goal was to cater for all digital needs it also involved online pet shops (food and such) and veterinarian apps.
Usability Testing
Small guerilla tests were carried out throughout the design, with the intention to do more extensive tests throughout the development.
We were able to create a comprehensive pitch that addressed the needs and goals of cat caretakers and raisers while also showing the potential for a profitable and sustainable business. We created an executive summary, pitch deck, and detailed market research to attract investors and showcase the potential for a profitable and sustainable business. While team members had to pursue different career paths and I lacked the personal energy to move this forward at the time, the dream of bringing Zoomni to life remains. Overall, I am proud to have been a part of the Zoomni project and believe that it has the potential to revolutionise the way cat caretakers and raisers interact with each other and their companions. While the project is currently on hold, I am excited to see where the future takes us and hope to see the Zoomni app become a reality one day.
Before diving into the development of Zoomni, an in-depth exploration of the cat world was imperative. This journey began with market research and competitive analysis. To grasp the feline universe from various perspectives, we conducted a series of user interviews. These open-ended and exploratory interviews allowed us to tap into the hearts and minds of potential users.
We ventured beyond traditional user research, attending a cat show to soak up the atmosphere and understand the world's most dedicated cat caretakers and raisers. The goal was to unearth insights into their challenges, needs, and desires, acting as a guiding light in crafting an app that caters to their unique world.
One key finding was that the cat world is not homogeneous, even what cat owners and breeders call themself differs from person to person. We decided to go with the less offensive titles such as caretaker instead of owner.
User Research
Personas
The insights garnered from our user interviews were distilled into user personas. These personas represent the two distinct segments of our intended target audience raisers and caretakers, and the support persona of adopters that will later hopefully become caretakers. By giving these segments a name and a story, we could put a face to the user data, providing a human touch to our research. We delved into the daily lives, motivations, and pain points of these personas to understand their needs and aspirations. These user personas became our compass throughout the design and development of Zoomni, ensuring that every feature and interaction resonated with the people who inspired this app.
Caretaker
For those who have already welcomed a cat into their lives, we delved into their daily routines, challenges, and aspirations. Our user research with cat caretakers illuminated the needs of this vital user segment. Zoomni was crafted to provide cat caretakers with tools, resources, and a community to support their role as loving and responsible cat parents.
Adopter
Understanding the motivations and concerns of individuals looking to adopt a cat was paramount. Our user research provided insights into the decision-making process of potential cat adopters. By exploring their needs and expectations, we designed Zoomni to be a welcoming space that simplifies the adoption process, fosters trust, and connects adopters with the perfect feline companion.
Raiser
The user research led us to an enlightening exploration of the world of cat raisers. By conducting interviews with these dedicated individuals, we uncovered the challenges and needs specific to their expertise. These insights formed a crucial foundation for Zoomni, enabling us to create a platform that addresses the unique demands of cat raisers, fosters connections among them, and offers valuable features to streamline their work.
The interface design of Zoomni is a harmonious reflection of its user-centric approach and cat-loving community. Every visual element and interaction within the app is thoughtfully crafted to create a seamless and delightful user experience.
The design ethos adheres to the brand's friendly, modern, and clean identity. The layout is intuitive, ensuring that users can effortlessly navigate through various features, whether they're browsing cat profiles, sharing their own feline companions, or browsing the store.
Zoomni's user interface is visually appealing, employing soft pastel colours (that was still readable) and friendly typography, which is easy on the eyes and enhances readability. This design invites cat caregivers and raisers to engage with the app in a warm and inviting digital space, fostering connections, knowledge sharing, and the celebration of all things feline. The result is an app that is not just functional but also visually pleasing, promoting a sense of belonging and making the user's interaction with Zoomni a truly enjoyable one.
Interface design
Start
Start serves as a social hub for zoomni users. Here you can find cats up for adoptions, read community recommendations and post your own pictures of your cats.
Companions
This is where a user find and manage her own cats. Everything from buying specific food that the users companions love to going to the vet or keeping track of chip ID number or vaccinations.
Market
Since the app should cater for users that wants to adopt a cat but also for users that already have a cat the decision was made to make one market section and split that into Shop and Adopt to cater for both user groups need.
Shop
Since the app should cater for users that wants to adopt a cat but also for users that already have a cat the decision was made to make one market section and split that into Shop and Adopt to cater for both user groups need.
Adopt
The cat market is a vast and usually raiser focus on one breed only. Therefor the fundamental information architecture of cats up for adoption is categorised on breed at top level.
Payment
Because of zoomni is an app, user info is already collected and if allowed reused for next purchase. Apple pay and Google Pay is also top candidates for payment intergration.
Messages
This section allows users to communicate with each other. Foremost its intended for sellers and buyers to reach out to each other since there is always a lot of questions before adopting a cat.
Account
A user needs to be able to change information, for example update address or payment options.
Zoomni's branding revolves around the essence of feline companionship, encapsulating the love and devotion shared by cat caretakers and raisers. The brand's primary objective is to convey a sense of warmth, trust, and inclusivity, making cat enthusiasts feel right at home.
It embodies a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for cats and cat-related activities. Whether it's the friendly tone of interactions, informative resources, or the sense of belonging, Zoomni's branding emphasises its dedication to cat caretakers and raisers. The brand promises a place where users can connect, learn, and celebrate their love for felines, creating a cozy and inviting space while still looking modern and professional.
Branding
Logotype
Is intentionally kept simple, using clear and bold typography with rounded corners that give it a friendly and approachable appearance. It avoids using a specific cat icon to maintain a broader appeal to various cat raisers. The choice of a bold and legible font style ensures that the brand's name is easily recognizable and memorable. This straightforward approach represents the app's user-centric focus, where clarity and ease of use are prioritized. It speaks modernity while maintaining a welcoming and clean design, ultimately reinforcing the idea that Zoomni is a user-friendly platform for cat enthusiasts.
Colours
The colour palette chosen for Zoomni is a key element of its branding strategy. A soft blue towards the pastel serves as the primary colour, symbolising trust and reliability within the cat-loving community. It fosters a sense of comfort and reassurance, aligning with the feelings of security and devotion that cat caretakers and raisers have for their pets. Light green, the complementary colour, adds a touch of freshness and vibrancy, enhancing the brand's friendliness. Primary white, used as the background colour, promotes cleanliness and readability, ensuring that the app's content remains the central focus. The chosen colours collectively communicate an environment that's serene, friendly, and inviting, resonating with the sensibilities of cat lovers and raisers while adhering to modern design aesthetics.
Typography
Typography choices are deliberate and tailored to enhance the user experience. Trusty old Inter serves as the base font, combining legibility and versatility, ensuring that content is easily readable and accessible. Outfit the secondary font, adds a touch of character and uniqueness, enriching the brand's identity without compromising clarity. These typography choices reinforce the user-centric approach, emphasizing readability and a clean, modern design. Together, they communicate an app that is not only informative but also visually pleasing, catering to cat caretakers and raisers who value both practicality and aesthetics in their interactions with the platform.