"Truly moneyless and safe gear exchange system for snowboarders in Canada to swap gear and household items in seconds"
Project Overview
This individual UI design project focuses on creating an intuitive, all-in-one web and app solution for snowboarders in Toronto.
It enables them to barter snow-related and household items for free, encouraging a seamless and community-driven exchange experience.
Project Key Component
Goal
To develop web interfaces and apps for snowboarders
Team
Individual project
Timeline
6 weeks
(Feb. 19 to Mar. 29, 2024)
Tools
Figma, Miro, Canva
Deliverables
Interactive High-fidelity prototype
As an experienced snowboard instructor in Toronto, I’ve bought and exchanged second-hand gear over 50 times on Facebook Marketplace in the past eight years.
Each snow season, my students and friends seek quality second-hand equipment and household items, highlighting a huge demand within the snowboarding community.
Problem statement
User pain point
Snowboarders search multiple platforms, spending too much time for second-hand gear or household items purchase and exchange, but lack a single comprehensive platform.
I created 2WayBay, a safe and hassle-free platform designed explicitly for snowboarders to exchange gear and household items within their niche community.
HaveNeed Mobile App
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User-friendly item card offers excellent readability
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Interface “Unpolished” look and feel
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Low-contrast CTA buttons
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Outdated product card designs
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Fails to meet the standards of popular mobile apps in the user experience
Facebook Web Marketplace
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Widely used platform offers familiarity
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Versatile channels allow users to purchase or swap items
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Recurring financial fraud
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Safety concerns during exchanges
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The prevalence of counterfeit currency
Keeping the above key issues for existing products in mind:
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Safety Concerns: Fraud, counterfeit money, and fake products
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Conversations are fragmented across WhatsApp, TikTok, and iMessage
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Leads to inefficiency and missed connection opportunities
Market & Competitor Analysis
Listia Mobile App
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Points system overlaps with the auction system, leading to user confusion
Compared to its competitors, 2WayBay stands out for:
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An intuitive interface and ease of use
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An option for snowboarders in the niche community
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Allow browse, connect, and exchange gear at nearby ski resorts
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Aligns well with user interests
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EXP Points System allows users to acquire items without spending money
The creation of the 2WayBay platform aims to eliminate financial complications and make item swapping more accessible.
Target Audience
2WayBay primarily caters to users seeking to exchange snowboard gear or find new snowboarding partners.
Its secondary audience includes snowboarders interested in swapping second-hand household items, expanding the platform’s utility beyond gear exchanges.
Product Positioning
2WayBay is built to address users’ financial and safety concerns by facilitating hassle-free item exchanges under the certification of 2WayBay-certified ambassadors.
Mini Persona
Considering Armin’s personality, 2WayBay’s design philosophy must fulfill two key requirements: offering fun items, and ensuring secure, hassle-free face-to-face gear exchange experiences.
Top-level Design Ideas:
Moneyless Exchange System
Armin needs a way to exchange his gear with another buddy without paying cash to each other so that he can acquire something new.
Certified Brand Ambassador
Armin needs a way to secure the exchanges so that he can feel satisfied in the nearby resorts for the item exchange.
Community-based
Armin needs a way to quickly meet new snow buddies so that he can connect with like-minded users in the snowboarding community.
In-app Messaging
Armin needs a way to send in-app messages so that he can do everything in one place without switching between different platforms.
Protected Transactions
Armin needs a way to protect the exchange so that he can finish the traction, even if it's not monetary.
Landing at the homepage to find snow gear or household items for exchange
Browse item details to nail one item for exchange
Attempts to exchange but receives an “unavailable” notification.
(Error messages in design)
Saves the item to the wishlist for future use
Customer Journey Map
Receives owner's approval and prepares for offline exchange
Waits for the owner’s response, and get ready for the offline meeting
Successfully initiates an exchange request, after choosing the meeting location, date and time.
Continues browsing and finds one item available
1. A path meets a little obstacle - A user exploring the item
High-fi Wireframes
Lands at homepage
Nails one item interested
Ready to barter the item
Error message encountered by the user
Item added to the list, waiting for the later availability
(Error messages implemented)
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2. A happy path - Feel ready and confident for item bartering
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Check the wishlist, expecting the availability
Finds another interesting item, which is ready for bartering
Choose one item to barter with
Congratulatory message received, waiting for owner's approval
The barter request approved by the item poster, who is also the owner
Deep conservation phase, ready for the offline bartering
A branding element aims to root in the Canadian snowboarders. Long term, to better compete with the Facebook marketplace and Listia app.
2WayBay certified brand ambassador affirms the credibility of either the item owner or the loyal user. A platform-ensured bartering security system, allowing users to have safer offline meetings
Features targeting the Pain Points
The dark mode toggle allows for maximum accessibility
A status icon exists not only on the homepage but also in item details, making the decision-making more intuitive
A wishlist helps users quikcly search for previously browsed items
In-app messaging saves users' time switching between apps
A quick step for a user to easily select items to barter with
A status icon is a must for most users. It's direct and intuitive
2WayBay Web Design Examples
After two rounds of usability testing from my peers and colleagues, the participants had strong wills. This shows the demand for a web-based platform as more detailed information is offered than the app.
Hence, I designed a corresponding web version for 2BayWay as follows,
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The business foundation is critical.
The app’s unique position in the snowboarder's community and easy-to-barter usability enhances product penetration into the market, forming the foundation for its future iterations and business growth.
How to develop a strong user base is critical to the app's future iterations.
What's the uniqueness?
2WayBay was designed to meet the specific needs of snowboard enthusiasts. Most current Facebook marketplace users have met usability and fraud issues that often end by shooting complaints to the platform, while 2WayBay should aim to become an alternative solution in this very niche community.
What does 2WayBay truly solve?
The design itself is not inherently complex. The key to the app's future success is understanding who we are solving problems for and what those problems are.
In business, you refine the design by accurately addressing the actual problem for your audience.