ALKMY Technologies
ALKMY Technologies
ALKMY Technologies
ALKMY Technologies
ALKMY is a startup built around a customer-to-customer platform that enables consumers to buy, sell, and trade goods and services. Nearing the final quarter of 2021, I joined the team at ALKMY as a Creative Designer, where I focused on redesigning the interface of their mobile-first platform and enhancing the overall user experience.
ALKMY is a startup built around a customer-to-customer platform that enables consumers to buy, sell, and trade goods and services. Nearing the final quarter of 2021, I joined the team at ALKMY as a Creative Designer, where I focused on redesigning the interface of their mobile-first platform and enhancing the overall user experience.
ALKMY is a startup built around a customer-to-customer platform that enables consumers to buy, sell, and trade goods and services. Nearing the final quarter of 2021, I joined the team at ALKMY as a Creative Designer, where I focused on redesigning the interface of their mobile-first platform and enhancing the overall user experience.
ALKMY is a startup built around a customer-to-customer platform that enables consumers to buy, sell, and trade goods and services. Nearing the final quarter of 2021, I joined the team at ALKMY as a Creative Designer, where I focused on redesigning the interface of their mobile-first platform and enhancing the overall user experience.
Role
Role
Role
Role
Art Direction, User Experience, Personas, Wireframing, Prototyping, Marketing
Art Direction, User Experience, Personas, Wireframing, Prototyping, Marketing
Art Direction, User Experience, Personas, Wireframing, Prototyping, Marketing
Art Direction, User Experience, Personas, Wireframing, Prototyping, Marketing
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Aug 2021 - May 2022
Aug 2021 - May 2022
Aug 2021 - May 2022
Aug 2021 - May 2022
ABOUT THE PROJECT
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Before I joined the team, the ALKMY app was focused on small sports communities and its trading feature. After joining, the team and I rebranded and launched a campaign targeting universities, helping expand the user base by attracting a young adult audience.
Before I joined the team, the ALKMY app was focused on small sports communities and its trading feature. After joining, the team and I rebranded and launched a campaign targeting universities, helping expand the user base by attracting a young adult audience.
Before I joined the team, the ALKMY app was focused on small sports communities and its trading feature. After joining, the team and I rebranded and launched a campaign targeting universities, helping expand the user base by attracting a young adult audience.
Before I joined the team, the ALKMY app was focused on small sports communities and its trading feature. After joining, the team and I rebranded and launched a campaign targeting universities, helping expand the user base by attracting a young adult audience.
As a result of this shift, I was tasked with enhancing the user experience for the growing audience and redesign the interface to align with the new branding.
As a result of this shift, I was tasked with enhancing the user experience for the growing audience and redesign the interface to align with the new branding.
As a result of this shift, I was tasked with enhancing the user experience for the growing audience and redesign the interface to align with the new branding.
As a result of this shift, I was tasked with enhancing the user experience for the growing audience and redesign the interface to align with the new branding.
The Challenge
The Challenge
Due to the fast-paced nature of a startup, I was not only responsible for UX/UI needs but also handling multiple design mediums such as motion design or social media marketing. Aside from balancing multiple roles, a major challenge was developing a new design system that aligned with the updated branding. Additionally, the other problem that I needed to solving for was creating an intuitive experience for users to buy, sell, trade, and interact with one another.
Due to the fast-paced nature of a startup, I was not only responsible for UX/UI needs but also handling multiple design mediums such as motion design or social media marketing. Aside from balancing multiple roles, a major challenge was developing a new design system that aligned with the updated branding. Additionally, the other problem that I needed to solving for was creating an intuitive experience for users to buy, sell, trade, and interact with one another.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Identified pain points and enhanced the user experience based on feedback.
Led the branding redesign for mobile and desktop.
Created personas based off the growing audience.
Created a site map for mobile.
Compared competitors to identify pain points in existing solutions and identified successful design patterns.
Designed and iterated on wireframes, progressing from low-fidelity concepts to high-fidelity prototypes.
Identified pain points and enhanced the user experience based on feedback.
Led the branding redesign for mobile and desktop.
Created personas based off the growing audience.
Created a site map for mobile.
Compared competitors to identify pain points in existing solutions and identified successful design patterns.
Designed and iterated on wireframes, progressing from low-fidelity concepts to high-fidelity prototypes.
RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
The rebranding campaign led to a surge in downloads, enabling us to gather valuable feedback from new users and discover key insights that informed meaningful app and web improvements.
The rebranding campaign led to a surge in downloads, enabling us to gather valuable feedback from new users and discover key insights that informed meaningful app and web improvements.
The rebranding campaign led to a surge in downloads, enabling us to gather valuable feedback from new users and discover key insights that informed meaningful app and web improvements.
The rebranding campaign led to a surge in downloads, enabling us to gather valuable feedback from new users and discover key insights that informed meaningful app and web improvements.
Findings 1
Findings 1
The user experience of trading with others was not intuitive.
The user experience of trading with others was not intuitive.
Findings 2
Findings 2
Messaging other users was hidden, making negotiating items difficult.
Messaging other users was hidden, making negotiating items difficult.
Findings 3
Findings 3
There was a lack of personalization during the onboarding process.
There was a lack of personalization during the onboarding process.
To tackle the key findings, a comparative analysis was conducted for similar C2C platforms like Whatnot and OfferUp to identify the strengths in their workflows and common user pain points. This research was crucial in helping uncover opportunities to help improve the ALKMY app.
To tackle the key findings, a comparative analysis was conducted for similar C2C platforms like Whatnot and OfferUp to identify the strengths in their workflows and common user pain points. This research was crucial in helping uncover opportunities to help improve the ALKMY app.
To tackle the key findings, a comparative analysis was conducted for similar C2C platforms like Whatnot and OfferUp to identify the strengths in their workflows and common user pain points. This research was crucial in helping uncover opportunities to help improve the ALKMY app.
To tackle the key findings, a comparative analysis was conducted for similar C2C platforms like Whatnot and OfferUp to identify the strengths in their workflows and common user pain points. This research was crucial in helping uncover opportunities to help improve the ALKMY app.
Offerup
Offerup
Like ALKMY, OfferUp allows the user to buy and sell products posted by others, making it a strong reference point for evaluating similar functionality. I analyzed its framework closely, noting key strengths such as a personalized onboarding flow that made the experience feel intuitive from the start. Additionally, OfferUp’s user-to-user messaging system and built-in rating feature helped foster trust and reduce the risk of scams. These elements served as valuable inspiration and guidance when improving ALKMY’s user experience.
Like ALKMY, OfferUp allows the user to buy and sell products posted by others, making it a strong reference point for evaluating similar functionality. I analyzed its framework closely, noting key strengths such as a personalized onboarding flow that made the experience feel intuitive from the start. Additionally, OfferUp’s user-to-user messaging system and built-in rating feature helped foster trust and reduce the risk of scams. These elements served as valuable inspiration and guidance when improving ALKMY’s user experience.
Whatnot
Whatnot
Although Whatnot differs in its selling approach (through live-streaming), my focus was primarily on its interface design. With ALKMY’s rebrand targeting a younger audience, it was important that the app reflected that aesthetic and user experience. Whatnot’s design system stood out to me for its youthful and modern interface that helped guide the visual direction of ALKMY’s app interface.
Although Whatnot differs in its selling approach (through live-streaming), my focus was primarily on its interface design. With ALKMY’s rebrand targeting a younger audience, it was important that the app reflected that aesthetic and user experience. Whatnot’s design system stood out to me for its youthful and modern interface that helped guide the visual direction of ALKMY’s app interface.
Since ALKMY was an existing app, initial user personas had been developed around its original user base. However, with the surge in new users following the rebrand campaign, updated personas were created to better reflect the evolving audience.
Since ALKMY was an existing app, initial user personas had been developed around its original user base. However, with the surge in new users following the rebrand campaign, updated personas were created to better reflect the evolving audience.
Since ALKMY was an existing app, initial user personas had been developed around its original user base. However, with the surge in new users following the rebrand campaign, updated personas were created to better reflect the evolving audience.
Since ALKMY was an existing app, initial user personas had been developed around its original user base. However, with the surge in new users following the rebrand campaign, updated personas were created to better reflect the evolving audience.
Persona: The Collector
Persona: The Collector
The 'Collector' was one of the newly identified personas, representing users who are passionate about collecting items such as Funko Pops, pins, comics, and more. This persona helped uncover subcategories within the app, as each collector tends to have a specific area of interest, allowing for more tailored ‘Groups’ to be created.
The 'Collector' was one of the newly identified personas, representing users who are passionate about collecting items such as Funko Pops, pins, comics, and more. This persona helped uncover subcategories within the app, as each collector tends to have a specific area of interest, allowing for more tailored ‘Groups’ to be created.
Persona: The Thrifter
Persona: The Thrifter
The 'Thrifter' persona represents users who enjoy fashion and thrift shopping. To engage this audience, a dedicated ‘Group’ was created in the ALKMY app, encouraging users to sell or trade secondhand or unwanted clothing. This addition helped attract more female users, balancing what was previously been a predominantly male user base.
The 'Thrifter' persona represents users who enjoy fashion and thrift shopping. To engage this audience, a dedicated ‘Group’ was created in the ALKMY app, encouraging users to sell or trade secondhand or unwanted clothing. This addition helped attract more female users, balancing what was previously been a predominantly male user base.
Persona: The Gamer
Persona: The Gamer
With the rising cost of new games, the 'Gamer' persona emerged as another significant user. This persona represented users looking to trade games they’ve finished or sell older consoles and controllers, creating a more affordable and community-driven way to access games or gaming accessories.
With the rising cost of new games, the 'Gamer' persona emerged as another significant user. This persona represented users looking to trade games they’ve finished or sell older consoles and controllers, creating a more affordable and community-driven way to access games or gaming accessories.
With the addition of these new personas, this not only informed the overall direction of the app but also enabled the creation of new 'Groups'. A feature that allows users to connect with others who share similar interests and are encouraged to buy, sell, or trade items within the interest-specific listings.
With the addition of these new personas, this not only informed the overall direction of the app but also enabled the creation of new 'Groups'. A feature that allows users to connect with others who share similar interests and are encouraged to buy, sell, or trade items within the interest-specific listings.
IDEATION
IDEATION
Although the app had been built prior to me joining, there was no existing site map, resulting in a lack of clear architectural structure. Due to this, I was tasked with creating a site map for the current app and making strategic adjustments to improve the flow of key features.
Although the app had been built prior to me joining, there was no existing site map, resulting in a lack of clear architectural structure. Due to this, I was tasked with creating a site map for the current app and making strategic adjustments to improve the flow of key features.
Although the app had been built prior to me joining, there was no existing site map, resulting in a lack of clear architectural structure. Due to this, I was tasked with creating a site map for the current app and making strategic adjustments to improve the flow of key features.
Although the app had been built prior to me joining, there was no existing site map, resulting in a lack of clear architectural structure. Due to this, I was tasked with creating a site map for the current app and making strategic adjustments to improve the flow of key features.
With the research in place, I began sketching wireframes focused on the three key features: improving the trading and selling experience, enhancing user-to-user communication, and introducing a personalized onboarding process for new users.
With the research in place, I began sketching wireframes focused on the three key features: improving the trading and selling experience, enhancing user-to-user communication, and introducing a personalized onboarding process for new users.
With the research in place, I began sketching wireframes focused on the three key features: improving the trading and selling experience, enhancing user-to-user communication, and introducing a personalized onboarding process for new users.
With the research in place, I began sketching wireframes focused on the three key features: improving the trading and selling experience, enhancing user-to-user communication, and introducing a personalized onboarding process for new users.
DESIGNS
DESIGNS
After reviewing the initial sketches, I narrowed down a few directions and presented multiple design alternatives. This led to iterating on the some of the designs until we were satisfied with the final direction. In addition to completing the ALKMY app and website, I also contributed to the motion design, app store mockups, and assets for social media marketing.
After reviewing the initial sketches, I narrowed down a few directions and presented multiple design alternatives. This led to iterating on the some of the designs until we were satisfied with the final direction. In addition to completing the ALKMY app and website, I also contributed to the motion design, app store mockups, and assets for social media marketing.
After reviewing the initial sketches, I narrowed down a few directions and presented multiple design alternatives. This led to iterating on the some of the designs until we were satisfied with the final direction. In addition to completing the ALKMY app and website, I also contributed to the motion design, app store mockups, and assets for social media marketing.
After reviewing the initial sketches, I narrowed down a few directions and presented multiple design alternatives. This led to iterating on the some of the designs until we were satisfied with the final direction. In addition to completing the ALKMY app and website, I also contributed to the motion design, app store mockups, and assets for social media marketing.
Mobile App
Mobile App
As the core product of ALKMY, the mobile app required an intuitive and user-friendly experience. Despite working in a fast-paced environment with multiple iterations, I developed a thoughtful trading flow that encouraged user interaction. This not only enhanced the overall user experience but also served as a key element in demonstrating the product's value to potential investors.
As the core product of ALKMY, the mobile app required an intuitive and user-friendly experience. Despite working in a fast-paced environment with multiple iterations, I developed a thoughtful trading flow that encouraged user interaction. This not only enhanced the overall user experience but also served as a key element in demonstrating the product's value to potential investors.
Welcome Video
Welcome Video
"Welcome to ALKMY”—where “trading is the new currency.” These are the first words spoken of this introductory animation that introduces the app to new users. I was solely responsible for the motion design of this video. While not a direct app feature, it played a crucial role in the rebranding effort by setting user expectations and emphasizing the app’s core feature—trading.
"Welcome to ALKMY”—where “trading is the new currency.” These are the first words spoken of this introductory animation that introduces the app to new users. I was solely responsible for the motion design of this video. While not a direct app feature, it played a crucial role in the rebranding effort by setting user expectations and emphasizing the app’s core feature—trading.
Groups Bring Users Together
Groups Bring Users Together
The 'Groups' feature was directly inspired by the newly developed user personas. It enabled users with shared interests to build communities and more easily trade or sell with one another. The motion design was a rewarding process, giving me the opportunity to be more creative with the branding and showcase new interface elements through video. This animation was ultimately featured on the app’s home screen alongside the welcome video.
The 'Groups' feature was directly inspired by the newly developed user personas. It enabled users with shared interests to build communities and more easily trade or sell with one another. The motion design was a rewarding process, giving me the opportunity to be more creative with the branding and showcase new interface elements through video. This animation was ultimately featured on the app’s home screen alongside the welcome video.
LEARNINGS
LEARNINGS
While many of the right steps were taken during the app's design, juggling multiple roles as a Creative Designer posed challenges and occasionally led to shortcuts in the UX/UI process. However, working within the constraints of a startup environment with limited resources became a valuable learning experience. It gave me deeper insight into the various design roles beyond UX/UI that contribute to building a complete product.
While many of the right steps were taken during the app's design, juggling multiple roles as a Creative Designer posed challenges and occasionally led to shortcuts in the UX/UI process. However, working within the constraints of a startup environment with limited resources became a valuable learning experience. It gave me deeper insight into the various design roles beyond UX/UI that contribute to building a complete product.
While many of the right steps were taken during the app's design, juggling multiple roles as a Creative Designer posed challenges and occasionally led to shortcuts in the UX/UI process. However, working within the constraints of a startup environment with limited resources became a valuable learning experience. It gave me deeper insight into the various design roles beyond UX/UI that contribute to building a complete product.
While many of the right steps were taken during the app's design, juggling multiple roles as a Creative Designer posed challenges and occasionally led to shortcuts in the UX/UI process. However, working within the constraints of a startup environment with limited resources became a valuable learning experience. It gave me deeper insight into the various design roles beyond UX/UI that contribute to building a complete product.
Speak Up
Speak Up
Since this was my first role focused primarily on UX/UI, I had to quickly adapt and learn to confidently advocate for my design decisions. The CEO was both supportive and a strong mentor—encouraging me not only to speak up when implementations didn’t align with the design, but also to challenge his ideas when I had a different or stronger direction in mind.
Since this was my first role focused primarily on UX/UI, I had to quickly adapt and learn to confidently advocate for my design decisions. The CEO was both supportive and a strong mentor—encouraging me not only to speak up when implementations didn’t align with the design, but also to challenge his ideas when I had a different or stronger direction in mind.
Feedback is Crucial
Feedback is Crucial
Throughout the campaign and app development, I learned the critical role feedback plays in shaping a product. The CEO emphasized this by encouraging user surveys and incentivizing participation to gather valuable insights. Once collected, the feedback was analyzed and organized to prioritize must-have features and key improvements—an approach that has since become a core part of my design philosophy.
Throughout the campaign and app development, I learned the critical role feedback plays in shaping a product. The CEO emphasized this by encouraging user surveys and incentivizing participation to gather valuable insights. Once collected, the feedback was analyzed and organized to prioritize must-have features and key improvements—an approach that has since become a core part of my design philosophy.