BRTR (pronounced baar·tr) is a concept developed by speaking to artists and creatives about problems and frustrations that they have, especially in the pandemic/ post-pandemic world we are living in. I found a problem that many artists face and decided to come up with a solution that not only benefits artists but also helps build community.
PROJECT
/DETAILS
BRTR
Brief
Can we create a way for people to consume ethically and support small businesses in their area?
Research
To begin my research, I looked at Etsy, a successful website with a similar concept as mine. This site gave me some ideas on what works well and what doesn't for similar apps. I also looked at the site, Simbi, a website designed for trading services online. I was able to see holes in the market and gained a better understanding of what I wanted to include in my app.
Because of both the economy during and after the pandemic as well as society's placement of importance in the arts, small artists and creators have been struggling. Many have a hard time selling their goods in a world that is so much more virtual. There have been less and less arts fairs, popups, and in person shopping for the arts. In order to survive, artists have to navigate an online world and can no longer easily connect with other artists in person. I created a website so that artist can connect with each other thru bartering goods. In addition
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I identified the most important user needs to create a solid product:
- User needs to be able to make a fair trade with another user.
- User needs the ability to purchase goods from creators.
- User needs to know that the person they're making a transaction with is trustworthy.
- User needs to be able to easily communicate with the creator they're making a transaction with.
Project Timeline: 3 Week Design Sprint
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WEEK 1
Research & Understand
Surveys
User interview
User stories
Competitive analysis
Personas
WEEK 2
Ideate & Decide
Minimum viable product
User flow
Wireframes
WEEK 3
Prototype & Test
Clickable prototype
User testing
Iterations
Accessibility
What was learned
Next steps
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Strong mission statement
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Categories for different styles or themes of items
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Lots of categories for types of products on top of page
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Social justice aspect/ support (ie. Support sellers in Ukraine)
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Options for sellers to tell their stories and link to their own website
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Strong mission statement
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Has clear list of what can be sold on Etsy
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Clear “call to action buttons” in multiple parts of a page
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Simple & easy for merchants to sell goods
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Homepage is a bit of information overload
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Videos on homepage are distracting
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Has a lot of items for sale that aren’t handmade or vintage goods- theres a saturation of items made in bulk at factories or 3rd party sources. ie. reprints of famous art
Competitive Analysis
WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS
Surveys & Interviews
For my surveys and interviews my aim was to both confirmed the use/necessity of the site and to create a guide for what users stories to include (chat function, google sign in, filters to include, info about art to include). From my interviews I found that transparency in proceeds going to artists was important and that community building was necessary for the website to do well and meet user needs.
users would like the ability to barter handmade goods with other creatives
17/20
of users make an effort to purchase sustainable, local goods whenever possible.
"No skimming from the hosts. All proceeds should go to the artist, unless otherwise stated"
" I usually use Etsy but they’re greedy so I try and do face to face shopping"
" I'd like the site to somehow bring the artistic community together- the pandemic has made this somewhat difficult in many cities"
User Personas
Johnny, 28
Melissa, 41
GOALS
PAINPOINTS
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Gain more recognition for his art
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Sell more of his creations
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Get to meet other artists in his area, make connections, and make art trades
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Recently moved to a new city and doesn't feel like he's part of a community
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Many markets are seasonal, has trouble knowing where he can sell all year around
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Doesn't like having to market himself online, he doesn't know how to use social media very well
GOALS
PAINPOINTS
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Wants to support more small businesses and purchase more unique handmade goods for her home
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Wants make more sustainable purchases by only buying from small, ethical, local businesses
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Is disabled, so she has a hard time going to local markets to find small merchants
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Want's to find and more artists local to her area but has a hard time finding them
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Sometimes creates homemade goods, but doesn't really know where to start selling
User Stories
HIGH PRIORITY
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As a new user, I want to be able to make a fair trade with another user.
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As a new user, I want to purchase goods from creators.
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As a new user, I want to know that the person I’m making a transaction with is trustworthy.
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As a new user I want to easily be able to communicate with the creator I’m making a transaction with.
SECONDARY
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As a new user, I want to easily find a product I’m looking for.
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As a new user, I want to able to easily discover creators.
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As a new user, I want to be able to save creators and get notifications when they put new work up.
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As a new user, I want to see a creators backstory.
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As a new user, I want to be able to arrange pickups or drop offs easily.
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As a new user, I want to easily sign up and set up my profile.
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As a new user, I want to be able to filter items when browsing.
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As a new user, I want to be able to browse items by categories.
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As a new user, I want to see details about the items I’m purchasing or trading.
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As a new user, I want to know the mission of the company.
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As a new user, I want to save products I want to buy later.
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As a new user, I want to know who I’m making a transaction with.
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As a new user, I would like to see all proceeds go to the artist.
User Flow
Ideate and Decide
After thoroughly discovering the users needs, wants, and motivations, I was able to envision a a scope for the website, and had an idea of what to include and how to start organizing. To begin cranking out design ideas, I started sketching using a few different brainstorming methods.
Sketching
To begin, I started brainstorming with a goal of tackling the problem I had on how to make a fair barter.
Visual Design
Brainstorming
To begin, I started brainstorming with a goal of tackling the problem I had onI drew out some of my design ideas for the logo and the UI I wanted to include. how to make a fair barter.
Style Tile
Wireframes
I took my ideas and brought them to -almost- life using Figma.
