Introduction
OVERVIEW
"Closeit" is a mobile app designed to assist users in checking the compatibility of new clothes with their existing wardrobe. It accomplishes this by learning the user's style preferences and importing data from photos of the clothes.
Personal project created as part of UX/UI studies at Codesigner.
Motivation
The idea for the app stemmed from my awareness of the substantial waste produced by the textile industry, which ranks as the second most polluting industry worldwide.
During my tenure in fashion retail, customers frequently voiced their reluctance to wear items they found challenging to match. Their primary reasons included:
-
difficulty remembering their wardrobe contents
-
struggling to visualize outfits without seeing them
I sought to devise a solution that assists customers in finding the perfect match for their wardrobe before making purchases. Such a solution could potentially save them money while contributing to waste reduction, thus benefiting both individuals and the environment.
The Challenge
The solution aims to reduce individual textile waste by promoting shopping awareness and providing personal styling services to minimize wasteful purchases.
Define
Use Case
I illustrated the primary use case where a potential user wishes to purchase an item and demonstrated how the product addresses her pain points of uncertainty regarding whether the new item will complement her existing wardrobe.
Noga passes by a top she likes.
It fits her so she wants to buy it.
She's not sure if it matches her wardrobe.
She opens her app to check its match.
The item matches her so she buys it.
Noga is happy the item fits her wardrobe.
Research
Contextual Research
I defined the target users for the product based on initial research, during which I presented the concept to various people from different backgrounds. Based on their interest and willingness to use a product that addresses this pain point, I defined the target users:
-
Age: 25-35
-
Gender: Women
-
Technology Orientation: High
-
Where: Retail shops
-
Duration: Short
-
Complicity: Easy
-
Concentration Level: Low
-
Urgency: High
-
Special Situations: Online shopping, wishlist
Research
User Interviews
I interviewed five potential users who met the criteria of contextual research and were familiar with online shopping.
Interview Topics:
-
Shopping habits
-
Personal style
-
Wardrobe monitoring
-
Wardrobe organization
Pain Points
-
Stress and insecurities experienced during shopping.
-
Difficulty in recalling items within the wardrobe.
-
Wasteful purchases resulting from items not matching personal style.
-
Challenges in envisioning outfits without visual reference.
Growth Opportunities
-
Wardrobe documentation: Implementing a system to catalog and organize wardrobe items.
-
Compatibility check with the wardrobe to prevent misfit purchases.
-
Personal styling services that offer guidance and support by suggesting outfits tailored to individual preferences.
Research
Competitive Analysis
I researched products addressing similar problems to explore common UX patterns and available technologies, focusing on closet documentation, personal styling, and fashion retail, with a particular emphasis on photo recognition.
Additionally, I looked into dating apps to discover additional solutions for creating matches.
Researched Products:
Pain Points
-
Long and complicated processes.
-
Incohesive and inconsistent images
-
Solutions only for online shopping.
-
No simulation of the clothes on different body types.
Feature List
-
Photo recognition and photo search.
-
Personalization by learning the user's preferences.
-
Simulation of the outfits on the user's photo.
-
Filtering options.
Ideation
Task Flow
I focused on one main flows:
Primary task flow: Checking the compatibility of a new item.
Primary Task Flow
Upload a photo of the item
Check match to the wardrobe
View results
Add new item
Finish
Ideation
User Flow
I chose to focus on the primary task flow and developed an elaborate user flow illustrating various paths users might take and the corresponding outcomes.
Idietion
Wireframes &
User Testing
Through user testing, I realized that the app needed to be simplified and easy to use because users admitted they wouldn't spend more than a single minute using it. I mapped out the conclusions and made adjustments to fit the users' feedback.
Pain Points
-
The solution for checking a match isn't simple enough.
-
The advice on whether to buy the item isn't clear.
-
Starting the matches is delayed due to setting style preferences.
-
The use of professional vocabulary is confusing.
Potential Solutions
-
A simplified main flow.
-
A concise summary indicating whether to purchase or not.
-
Option to define style and receive personalized styling.
-
Preferences are set through visuals rather than questionnaires.
UI Design
Upload Item
To check a new match, the user uploads the item's photo, and the data is processed using photo recognition. The user then receives a summary of the match and simulations of outfits containing the new item displayed on their body.
Check Match
When defining personal style, the app provides more accurate feedback about matches. The user views random combinations of their clothes and indicates what they like and dislike.
The Wardrobe
The wardrobe contains a database of all uploaded clothes, saved outfits, and the wish list. On the main page, the app offers outfits based on recent preferences.
Filter & Search
The filters maintain a uniform style across different components, which varies according to context. The search is available on all the main pages for fast discovery.
Item Details
Contains all the saved outfits linked to the item, for easy outfit match for time that need to get ready in a rush. From this section users can edit the item details, like the season or occasion the item best fit.
