Barber
Connect
Style Your Way: Connect with Your Barber, Any Day.
In the busy city life, we all want to look good. Waiting at the barbershop, I questioned why haircuts took so much time. Talking to friends, I realized we all felt the same frustration. Going deeper, I learned that customers are okay with waiting for their favorite barbers. Since most people who regularly get haircuts are affected, this became a big problem to solve.
OVERVIEW
Problem
In India, there's no platform for direct barber appointments, and most salons lack appointment systems. This causes frustration for customers who have preferred barbers, as they must either compromise their preference or face long waiting times. They want expertise and a timely salon experience.
Solution
I have designed 'Barber Connect,' a mobile app that allows barbers to create individual profiles. Simultaneously, it offers users the ability to book appointments with their favorite barber at their preferred time. This app enables seamless connections between barbers and clients, enhancing convenience and personalizing experiences in the barbering industry.
Get personalised haircare from your favourite barber
"Whether you're looking for your regular barber or want to try someone new, we've got you covered."
"Barber Connect offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to stick with your trusted barber or try a new stylist. Browse top-rated barbers for options, or delve into reviews to handpick your preferred choice. We've designed the app to provide a personalized haircutting experience that matches your individual preferences."
Hear it from your own age group to make informed decisions.
Reading review from your own age group makes it more more relevant for users to make a decision.
"Since styling is subjective, tailoring reviews to your age group ensures the feedback is relatable, considering the diversity of opinions. This makes the reviews more valuable in guiding your decisions regarding styling preferences."
No more waiting!!!
Choose and book your appointment for a time that fits your schedule.
Book your appointment at your convenience, avoiding any wait at the barber shop for your stylist to finish with the previous customer. Your selected slot ensures a timely and efficient experience.
Design process
Research
Competitive analysis
Interview
Persona
Design
Brainstorming
Wireframe
Hi-fi design
Prototyping
Evaluate
Usability testing
Design iteration
RESEARCH
Competitive analysis
I've noticed that apps and websites like Urban Company and Lakme Salon, which offer online appointment bookings for haircuts and styles, exclusively connect you with their in-house professional stylists.
Which could cause issues like
Limited Stylist Options
Availability Constraints
Varying Quality of Service
Pricing and Costs
To address these concerns, our app provides a platform for a diverse range of individual stylists to register and offer their services to customers.
Interview findings
In my interview discussions with six participants, a consistent theme emerged:
people prefer waiting for their preferred barber over opting for an available one.
When contemplating a stylist change, they typically seek recommendations from friends or resort to a trial-and-error approach.
Additionally, there's a common feeling of hesitancy and embarrassment when requesting their preferred barber for a haircut.
Persona
Sarah
Background:
Sarah is a 28-year-old professional working in a creative industry. She is fashion-conscious and values her appearance.
Behavior and Preferences:
Sarah likes to experiment with different hairstyles and is open to trying new stylists. She often looks for reviews and recommendations from friends or online platforms.
Goals:
Discover new and trendy styles.
Find a skilled stylist for unique looks.
Challanges:
Difficulty in finding reliable stylists who can keep up with the latest trends.
Occasionally hesitates to request her preferred stylist, fearing inconvenience or embarrassment.
Mark
Background:
Mark is a 35-year-old project manager in a corporate environment. He values consistency and efficiency in his grooming routine.
Behavior and Preferences:
Mark has a trusted barber whom he has been visiting for years. He prefers waiting for his preferred barber rather than going to another available stylist.
Goals:
Maintain a professional and well-groomed appearance.
Stay with a stylist who understands his preferences and needs.
Challanges:
Difficulty in adjusting to a new stylist due to his long-term relationship with his current one.
Sometimes feels hesitant to request his preferred stylist due to fear of imposing or causing inconvenience.
DESIGN
Ideation
I've outlined 4 essential functions derived from my research to serve as the foundation of my app.
Recommendation of Top Rated Barbers
• Implement an algorithm that recommends top-rated barbers to users based on their preferences, location, and past interactions within the app.
User-Friendly Search Functionality
• Develop an intuitive search feature that allows users to easily search for barbers and salons based on various criteria like location, services offered, availability, and specialties.
• Implement filters to streamline the search process, enabling users to narrow down their options based on their specific requirements and preferences.
Intuitive Appointment Booking
• Develop a streamlined and user-friendly appointment booking system that allows users to easily choose their desired date, time, and service, ensuring a hassle-free booking experience.
Customized Ratings and Reviews Based on Reviewer's Age
• Allow users to filter reviews based on age groups, providing insights from reviewers in a similar age bracket to make the feedback more relatable and helpful.
Some Sketches and Wireframes
After sketching the frames on paper, I created these wireframes for the initial user testing.
Hi-fi Design
Main flow
Reviews and Salon details
My bookings
Design Iterations
Before
1
After
1
2
3
Changed the navigation style from accordion menu to slider navigation system.
Optimizes screen space, making the interface more mobile-friendly and adaptable to various devices.
Quick access to content and navigate between sections,
Showing the selected service from the previous page.
It also allows users to quickly review their choices, enhancing their confidence in the booking process.
streamlines the user experience by providing a clear and consistent path, reducing the chance of errors or confusion when making selections
Reordered the time slots to show the available ones first, instead of showing them in a fixed order.
It makes easier for users to find and book open slots promptly.
Users can quickly identify suitable time options without scrolling through unavailable slots.
Design decisions
As per the survey results, 83.3% of users prefer to plan and schedule their appointments within 1 to 2 days.
So, I've designed a date picker that allows these users to directly select a date from the picker bar, eliminating the need to navigate through a calendar, which streamlines the booking process."
Incorporating an age group filter in the review section.
Enhanced Relevance: Users can filter and read reviews specifically from individuals in their age group, making the feedback more relatable and relevant to their preferences and expectations.
Informed Decision-Making: The age group filter helps users gather insights from peers of a similar demographic, enabling them to make more informed decisions when choosing a stylist based on reviews that align with their age group.
Providing the contact details in the “Salon details” page.
Accessibility: Users can easily find and navigate to the salon, promoting a convenient and hassle-free experience.
Communication: Users can quickly get in touch with the barber or salon for inquiries, appointments, or clarifications, enhancing customer engagement.
Easy access to 'My Bookings' is a key feature, providing users with convenient access to their scheduled appointments.
This functionality is divided into two sections:
Upcoming Bookings: Users can effortlessly view and manage their upcoming appointments, allowing for changes such as rescheduling or cancellation for added flexibility.
Completed Bookings: In the 'Completed' section of 'My Bookings,' users have the option to easily replicate their past appointments with a simple 'Repeat' button. This streamlines the process of rebooking preferred services from their history."
Barber
Connect
Style Your Way: Connect with Your Barber, Any Day.
Barber
Connect
In the busy city life, we all want to look good. Waiting at the barbershop, I questioned why haircuts took so much time. Talking to friends, I realized we all felt the same frustration. Going deeper, I learned that customers are okay with waiting for their favorite barbers. Since most people who regularly get haircuts are affected, this became a big problem to solve.
Barber
Connect
Style Your Way: Connect with Your Barber, Any Day.
Barber
Connect
In the busy city life, we all want to look good. Waiting at the barbershop, I questioned why haircuts took so much time. Talking to friends, I realized we all felt the same frustration. Going deeper, I learned that customers are okay with waiting for their favorite barbers. Since most people who regularly get haircuts are affected, this became a big problem to solve.
OVERVIEW
Problem
In India, there's no platform for direct barber appointments, and most salons lack appointment systems. This causes frustration for customers who have preferred barbers, as they must either compromise their preference or face long waiting times. They want expertise and a timely salon experience.
Solution
I have designed 'Barber Connect,' a mobile app that allows barbers to create individual profiles. Simultaneously, it offers users the ability to book appointments with their favorite barber at their preferred time. This app enables seamless connections between barbers and clients, enhancing convenience and personalizing experiences in the barbering industry.
Get personalised haircare from your favourite barber
"Whether you're looking for your regular barber or want to try someone new, we've got you covered."
"Barber Connect offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to stick with your trusted barber or try a new stylist. Browse top-rated barbers for options, or delve into reviews to handpick your preferred choice. We've designed the app to provide a personalized haircutting experience that matches your individual preferences."
Hear it from your own age group to make informed decisions.
Reading review from your own age group makes it more more relevant for users to make a decision.
"Since styling is subjective, tailoring reviews to your age group ensures the feedback is relatable, considering the diversity of opinions. This makes the reviews more valuable in guiding your decisions regarding styling preferences."
No more waiting!!!
Choose and book your appointment for a time that fits your schedule.
Book your appointment at your convenience, avoiding any wait at the barber shop for your stylist to finish with the previous customer. Your selected slot ensures a timely and efficient experience.
Design process
Research
Competitive analysis
Interview
Persona
Design
Brainstorming
Wireframe
Hi-fi design
Prototyping
Evaluate
Usability testing
Design iteration
Interview findings
In my interview discussions with six participants, a consistent theme emerged:
people prefer waiting for their preferred barber over opting for an available one.
When contemplating a stylist change, they typically seek recommendations from friends or resort to a trial-and-error approach.
Additionally, there's a common feeling of hesitancy and embarrassment when requesting their preferred barber for a haircut.
Competitive analysis
I've noticed that apps and websites like Urban Company and Lakme Salon, which offer online appointment bookings for haircuts and styles, exclusively connect you with their in-house professional stylists.
Which could cause issues like
Limited Stylist Options
Availability Constraints
Varying Quality of Service
Pricing and Costs
To address these concerns, our app provides a platform for a diverse range of individual stylists to register and offer their services to customers.
Persona
Sarah
Background:
Sarah is a 28-year-old professional working in a creative industry. She is fashion-conscious and values her appearance.
Behavior and Preferences:
Sarah likes to experiment with different hairstyles and is open to trying new stylists. She often looks for reviews and recommendations from friends or online platforms.
Goals:
Discover new and trendy styles.
Find a skilled stylist for unique looks.
Challanges:
Difficulty in finding reliable stylists who can keep up with the latest trends.
Occasionally hesitates to request her preferred stylist, fearing inconvenience or embarrassment.
Mark
Background:
Mark is a 35-year-old project manager in a corporate environment. He values consistency and efficiency in his grooming routine.
Behavior and Preferences:
Mark has a trusted barber whom he has been visiting for years. He prefers waiting for his preferred barber rather than going to another available stylist.
Goals:
Maintain a professional and well-groomed appearance.
Stay with a stylist who understands his preferences and needs.
Challanges:
Difficulty in adjusting to a new stylist due to his long-term relationship with his current one.
Sometimes feels hesitant to request his preferred stylist due to fear of imposing or causing inconvenience.
RESEARCH
Ideation
I've outlined 4 essential functions derived from my research to serve as the foundation of my app.
Recommendation of Top Rated Barbers
• Implement an algorithm that recommends top-rated barbers to users based on their preferences, location, and past interactions within the app.
User-Friendly Search Functionality
• Develop an intuitive search feature that allows users to easily search for barbers and salons based on various criteria like location, services offered, availability, and specialties.
• Implement filters to streamline the search process, enabling users to narrow down their options based on their specific requirements and preferences.
Intuitive Appointment Booking
• Develop a streamlined and user-friendly appointment booking system that allows users to easily choose their desired date, time, and service, ensuring a hassle-free booking experience.
Customized Ratings and Reviews Based on Reviewer's Age
• Allow users to filter reviews based on age groups, providing insights from reviewers in a similar age bracket to make the feedback more relatable and helpful.
Some Sketches and Wireframes
After sketching the frames on paper, I created these wireframes for the initial user testing.
Hi-fi Design
Main flow
Reviews and Salon details
My bookings
DESIGN
Design Iterations
Before
1
After
1
2
3
Changed the navigation style from accordion menu to slider navigation system.
Optimizes screen space, making the interface more mobile-friendly and adaptable to various devices.
Quick access to content and navigate between sections,
Showing the selected service from the previous page.
It also allows users to quickly review their choices, enhancing their confidence in the booking process.
streamlines the user experience by providing a clear and consistent path, reducing the chance of errors or confusion when making selections
Reordered the time slots to show the available ones first, instead of showing them in a fixed order.
It makes easier for users to find and book open slots promptly.
Users can quickly identify suitable time options without scrolling through unavailable slots.
Design decisions
As per the survey results, 83.3% of users prefer to plan and schedule their appointments within 1 to 2 days.
So, I've designed a date picker that allows these users to directly select a date from the picker bar, eliminating the need to navigate through a calendar, which streamlines the booking process."
Incorporating an age group filter in the review section.
Enhanced Relevance: Users can filter and read reviews specifically from individuals in their age group, making the feedback more relatable and relevant to their preferences and expectations.
Informed Decision-Making: The age group filter helps users gather insights from peers of a similar demographic, enabling them to make more informed decisions when choosing a stylist based on reviews that align with their age group.
Providing the contact details in the “Salon details” page.
Accessibility: Users can easily find and navigate to the salon, promoting a convenient and hassle-free experience.
Communication: Users can quickly get in touch with the barber or salon for inquiries, appointments, or clarifications, enhancing customer engagement.
Easy access to 'My Bookings' is a key feature, providing users with convenient access to their scheduled appointments.
This functionality is divided into two sections:
Upcoming Bookings: Users can effortlessly view and manage their upcoming appointments, allowing for changes such as rescheduling or cancellation for added flexibility.
Completed Bookings: In the 'Completed' section of 'My Bookings,' users have the option to easily replicate their past appointments with a simple 'Repeat' button. This streamlines the process of rebooking preferred services from their history."
Future Steps:
Slot Availability Enhancement : In commitment to improving Barber Connect, we recognize the challenge of slot availability due to cancellations. To address this, I plan to introduce a "Notify Me" feature.
The "Notify Me" Feature: Users can opt for notifications when booked slots become available due to cancellations.
This feature ensures that users get their preferred slots and helps barbers manage their schedules efficiently.
The "Notify Me" feature aligns with user-centric approach, enhancing convenience and satisfaction. Iam excited to implement this and continue improving Barber Connect based on user feedback, making it an even more reliable solution for customers and barbers.
My learnings
User-Centered Design is Paramount: Prioritizing user needs and preferences is the cornerstone of successful product design. By conducting thorough user research and understanding their pain points, you can create solutions that truly resonate with your target audience.
Innovation Solves Problems: Innovation doesn't always mean reinventing the wheel. Small but thoughtful design innovations, like the age-based review system and efficient date picker, can significantly enhance the user experience and address specific pain points.
Iterate and Test for Continuous Improvement: Design is an iterative process. Regular user testing and feedback loops are vital for refining your product. Embrace feedback as an opportunity to make improvements and create a product that truly delights your users.
DESIGN
Ideation
I've outlined 4 essential functions derived from my research to serve as the foundation of my app.
Recommendation of Top Rated Barbers
• Implement an algorithm that recommends top-rated barbers to users based on their preferences, location, and past interactions within the app.
User-Friendly Search Functionality
• Develop an intuitive search feature that allows users to easily search for barbers and salons based on various criteria like location, services offered, availability, and specialties.
• Implement filters to streamline the search process, enabling users to narrow down their options based on their specific requirements and preferences.
Intuitive Appointment Booking
• Develop a streamlined and user-friendly appointment booking system that allows users to easily choose their desired date, time, and service, ensuring a hassle-free booking experience.
Customized Ratings and Reviews Based on Reviewer's Age
• Allow users to filter reviews based on age groups, providing insights from reviewers in a similar age bracket to make the feedback more relatable and helpful.
Some Sketches and Wireframes
After sketching the frames on paper, I created these wireframes for the initial user testing.
Hi-fi Design
Main flow
Reviews and Salon details
My bookings
Design Iterations
1
Before
1
2
3
After
Changed the navigation style from accordion menu to slider navigation system.
Optimizes screen space, making the interface more mobile-friendly and adaptable to various devices.
Quick access to content and navigate between sections,
Showing the selected service from the previous page.
It also allows users to quickly review their choices, enhancing their confidence in the booking process.
streamlines the user experience by providing a clear and consistent path, reducing the chance of errors or confusion when making selections
Reordered the time slots to show the available ones first, instead of showing them in a fixed order.
It makes easier for users to find and book open slots promptly.
Users can quickly identify suitable time options without scrolling through unavailable slots.
Design decisions
As per the survey results, 83.3% of users prefer to plan and schedule their appointments within 1 to 2 days.
So, I've designed a date picker that allows these users to directly select a date from the picker bar, eliminating the need to navigate through a calendar, which streamlines the booking process."
Incorporating an age group filter in the review section.
Enhanced Relevance: Users can filter and read reviews specifically from individuals in their age group, making the feedback more relatable and relevant to their preferences and expectations.
Informed Decision-Making: The age group filter helps users gather insights from peers of a similar demographic, enabling them to make more informed decisions when choosing a stylist based on reviews that align with their age group.
Providing the contact details in the “Salon details” page.
Accessibility: Users can easily find and navigate to the salon, promoting a convenient and hassle-free experience.
Communication: Users can quickly get in touch with the barber or salon for inquiries, appointments, or clarifications, enhancing customer engagement.
Easy access to 'My Bookings' is a key feature, providing users with convenient access to their scheduled appointments.
This functionality is divided into two sections:
Upcoming Bookings: Users can effortlessly view and manage their upcoming appointments, allowing for changes such as rescheduling or cancellation for added flexibility.
Completed Bookings: In the 'Completed' section of 'My Bookings,' users have the option to easily replicate their past appointments with a simple 'Repeat' button. This streamlines the process of rebooking preferred services from their history."
Barber
Connect
Style Your Way:
Connect with Your Barber, Any Day.
In the busy city life, we all want to look good. Waiting at the barbershop, I questioned why haircuts took so much time. Talking to friends, I realized we all felt the same frustration. Going deeper, I learned that customers are okay with waiting for their favorite barbers. Since most people who regularly get haircuts are affected, this became a big problem to solve.
Barber
Connect
Style Your Way:
Connect with Your Barber, Any Day.
In the busy city life, we all want to look good. Waiting at the barbershop, I questioned why haircuts took so much time. Talking to friends, I realized we all felt the same frustration. Going deeper, I learned that customers are okay with waiting for their favorite barbers. Since most people who regularly get haircuts are affected, this became a big problem to solve.
OVERVIEW
Problem
In India, there's no platform for direct barber appointments, and most salons lack appointment systems. This causes frustration for customers who have preferred barbers, as they must either compromise their preference or face long waiting times. They want expertise and a timely salon experience.
Solution
I have designed 'Barber Connect,' a mobile app that allows barbers to create individual profiles. Simultaneously, it offers users the ability to book appointments with their favorite barber at their preferred time. This app enables seamless connections between barbers and clients, enhancing convenience and personalizing experiences in the barbering industry.
Get personalised haircare from your favourite barber
"Whether you're looking for your regular barber or want to try someone new, we've got you covered."
"Barber Connect offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to stick with your trusted barber or try a new stylist. Browse top-rated barbers for options, or delve into reviews to handpick your preferred choice. We've designed the app to provide a personalized haircutting experience that matches your individual preferences."
Hear it from your own age group to make informed decisions.
Reading review from your own age group makes it more more relevant for users to make a decision.
"Since styling is subjective, tailoring reviews to your age group ensures the feedback is relatable, considering the diversity of opinions. This makes the reviews more valuable in guiding your decisions regarding styling preferences."
No more waiting!!!
Choose and book your appointment for a time that fits your schedule.
Book your appointment at your convenience, avoiding any wait at the barber shop for your stylist to finish with the previous customer. Your selected slot ensures a timely and efficient experience.
Design process
Research
Competitive analysis
Interview
Persona
Design
Brainstorming
Wireframe
Hi-fi design
Prototyping
Evaluate
Usability testing
Design iteration
RESEARCH
Competitive analysis
I've noticed that apps and websites like Urban Company and Lakme Salon, which offer online appointment bookings for haircuts and styles, exclusively connect you with their in-house professional stylists.
Which could cause issues like
Limited Stylist Options
Availability Constraints
Varying Quality of Service
Pricing and Costs
To address these concerns, our app provides a platform for a diverse range of individual stylists to register and offer their services to customers.
Interview findings
In my interview discussions with six participants, a consistent theme emerged:
people prefer waiting for their preferred barber over opting for an available one.
When contemplating a stylist change, they typically seek recommendations from friends or resort to a trial-and-error approach.
Additionally, there's a common feeling of hesitancy and embarrassment when requesting their preferred barber for a haircut.
Persona
Sarah
Background:
Sarah is a 28-year-old professional working in a creative industry. She is fashion-conscious and values her appearance.
Behavior and Preferences:
Sarah likes to experiment with different hairstyles and is open to trying new stylists. She often looks for reviews and recommendations from friends or online platforms.
Goals:
Discover new and trendy styles.
Find a skilled stylist for unique looks.
Challanges:
Difficulty in finding reliable stylists who can keep up with the latest trends.
Occasionally hesitates to request her preferred stylist, fearing inconvenience or embarrassment.
Mark
Background:
Mark is a 35-year-old project manager in a corporate environment. He values consistency and efficiency in his grooming routine.
Behavior and Preferences:
Mark has a trusted barber whom he has been visiting for years. He prefers waiting for his preferred barber rather than going to another available stylist.
Goals:
Maintain a professional and well-groomed appearance.
Stay with a stylist who understands his preferences and needs.
Challanges:
Difficulty in adjusting to a new stylist due to his long-term relationship with his current one.
Sometimes feels hesitant to request his preferred stylist due to fear of imposing or causing inconvenience.
Future Steps
Slot Availability Enhancement:
In commitment to improving Barber Connect, we recognize the challenge of slot availability due to cancellations. To address this, I plan to introduce a "Notify Me" feature.
The "Notify Me" Feature:
Users can opt for notifications when booked slots become available due to cancellations.
This feature ensures that users get their preferred slots and helps barbers manage their schedules efficiently.
The "Notify Me" feature aligns with user-centric approach, enhancing convenience and satisfaction. Iam excited to implement this and continue improving Barber Connect based on user feedback, making it an even more reliable solution for customers and barbers.
My learnings
User-Centered Design is Paramount: Prioritizing user needs and preferences is the cornerstone of successful product design. By conducting thorough user research and understanding their pain points, you can create solutions that truly resonate with your target audience.
Innovation Solves Problems: Innovation doesn't always mean reinventing the wheel. Small but thoughtful design innovations, like the age-based review system and efficient date picker, can significantly enhance the user experience and address specific pain points.
Iterate and Test for Continuous Improvement: Design is an iterative process. Regular user testing and feedback loops are vital for refining your product. Embrace feedback as an opportunity to make improvements and create a product that truly delights your users.
Future Steps
Slot Availability Enhancement
In commitment to improving Barber Connect, we recognize the challenge of slot availability due to cancellations. To address this, I plan to introduce a "Notify Me" feature.
The "Notify Me" Feature
Users can opt for notifications when booked slots become available due to cancellations.
This feature ensures that users get their preferred slots and helps barbers manage their schedules efficiently.
The "Notify Me" feature aligns with user-centric approach, enhancing convenience and satisfaction. Iam excited to implement this and improving Barber Connect based on user feedback, making it an even more reliable solution for customers and barbers.
My learnings
User-Centered Design is Paramount: Prioritizing user needs and preferences is the cornerstone of successful product design. By conducting thorough user research and understanding their pain points, you can create solutions that truly resonate with your target audience.
Innovation Solves Problems: Innovation doesn't always mean reinventing the wheel. Small but thoughtful design innovations, like the age-based review system and efficient date picker, can significantly enhance the user experience and address specific pain points.
Iterate and Test for Continuous Improvement: Design is an iterative process. Regular user testing and feedback loops are vital for refining your product. Embrace feedback as an opportunity to make improvements and create a product that truly delights your users.
Future Steps: Slot Availability Enhancement
In commitment to improving Barber Connect, we recognize the challenge of slot availability due to cancellations. To address this, I plan to introduce a "Notify Me" feature.
The "Notify Me" Feature:
Users can opt for notifications when booked slots become available due to cancellations.
This feature ensures that users get their preferred slots and helps barbers manage their schedules efficiently.
The "Notify Me" feature aligns with user-centric approach, enhancing convenience and satisfaction. Iam excited to implement this and continue improving Barber Connect based on user feedback, making it an even more reliable solution for customers and barbers.
My learnings
User-Centered Design is Paramount: Prioritizing user needs and preferences is the cornerstone of successful product design. By conducting thorough user research and understanding their pain points, you can create solutions that truly resonate with your target audience.
Innovation Solves Problems: Innovation doesn't always mean reinventing the wheel. Small but thoughtful design innovations, like the age-based review system and efficient date picker, can significantly enhance the user experience and address specific pain points.
Iterate and Test for Continuous Improvement: Design is an iterative process. Regular user testing and feedback loops are vital for refining your product. Embrace feedback as an opportunity to make improvements and create a product that truly delights your users.