Summary
Apex Virtual needed a solution to bridge the gap between photographers and realtors so that properties could be listed as soon as possible. The solution needed to make it as easy and efficient as possible for realtors to book professional photography.
Overview
Roles:
User Research - Ideation - UI Design - Prototyping -User Testing
Deliverables:
User Personas, User Stories & Flows, Wire frames, Usability Testing, High Fidelity Mocku ps, Clickable Prototypes, Style Guide
Problem
Apex Virtual created an app that made it easy to create virtual tours. However, one challenge they faced was that it was difficult for realtors and photographers to easily communicate about the location of properties and when they would be available to shoot. They needed an elegant solution that would allow both parties to seamlessly coordinate.
Target Audience:
Realtors who are new to the business or those who want to streamline their workflow.
The Solution
I believe the solution presented helps realtors by making it easy to:
Send information to photographers: The solution provides a centralized platform where realtors can easily share information about properties with photographers, such as the location of the property, the date and time of the shoot, and any special instructions.
Know when photo shoots will take place: The solution provides a calendar view that shows all upcoming photo shoots, so realtors can easily see when their properties are scheduled to be photographed.
Check the status of a shoot at a glance: The solution provides a status view for each photo shoot, so realtors can quickly see if a shoot has been scheduled, is in progress, or has been completed.
Research and Discovery:
I found a Redfin research paper, that explained why professional photography is so important for house listings:
Sessions
Strengths:
-Allows easy appointment scheduling
-Automatic Bookings
-Allows for deposits
-Reminds clients before hand to reduce no shows.
Weakness:
-Only appointment made with browser allowed.
-Mobile apps has no sign up, must use browser before hand to sign up
Opportunities:
-Allow for mobile booking in app,
-Allow users to explore different photographers
Booked in
Strengths:
-Allows easy appointment scheduling
-Works with most professions that requiring a booking.
-Incorporated payments
-Reminds clients before hand to reduce no shows.
Weakness:
-Only works if the client knows about you and is perusing your services
-Very limited in bookings unless you pay a monthly service fee.
-Does not allow for ratings for services rendered or allow clients to see them.
Opportunities:
-Search different services to be booked in app
Persona:
Based on the extensive research conducted on our target user group, I developed a persona that encapsulates all the gathered information.
Define
Empathy Map
With this information I was able see Wendy’s process when listing a new property.
User flows
After seeing Wendy’s listing process, I was able to compile information that would be important and the order in which it would be entered.
I used the Crazy 8 method to brainstorm layout options.
I further refined and made paper mock ups and had a couple of friends try them. I wanted simple, straight forward, and easy ways to add or remove information.
Low Fidelity User Testing
I made low fidelity clickable prototypes, and conducted user testing to see what worked and what created pain points for users.
Scenarios for users:
1. Add new property
2. Know what kind of photography was used.
3. Add dates and times.
4. Check Status of property
Interviews showed improvement needed for:
-Flow - Placement for buttons
-Help with wording
-Better alignment
Interviews revealed:
-All were able to complete essential task without assistance.
-Easily identify a pages function.
-Showed receptive response to the idea, and app.
From my low fidelity prototype I went on to create the high fidelity version, updated from the user testing.
Branding
Apex Tours had a an existing logo with a stylized A/V. Since this would be an extension of this company I continued this trend with a A and P. My client was very happy with this idea, and implementation. The splashes of high contrast color would draw the users eye to a fixed point on the screen.
Final Thoughts
Creating the Apex Pix app has been a valuable learning experience. Through market research, I gained insights into user preferences and emerging trends in the photography industry and its relations to realtors.
Throughout this process, I have learned the value of customer feedback and iterative improvement. Actively listening to users and analyzing their feedback has been crucial in refining the app's features and addressing their needs.