CV

Mesto
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Discover and Save Your Favorite Spots
Description
Mesto is a user-friendly mobile application designed to help you discover and save intriguing establishments and locations. Whether you're a traveler exploring new cities or a local looking for hidden gems, Mesto is your ultimate companion.
Problem statement
Many people are in need of an application that allows them to save intriguing venues or locations in their city. This app serves as a platform where they can discover places to work, dine, or simply relax. While some rely on Instagram bookmarks, others save screenshots in their photo gallery. This particular application enhances this process by enabling users to not only save captivating spots but also add personal notes and photos. This feature contributes to a more enriched and lasting record of their visiting experiences.
Task
User
Conserving nerves and energy when searching for suitable establishments within time constraints. The ability to choose a location near your current position in the city from the list of favorites. Option to share your list of establishments.
Business
Offering a convenient platform for users to discover and save interesting places can attract more customers to establishments, increasing their visibility and foot traffic.
My role
Design team leadership, qualitative and quantitative research IxD VxD Usability testing
Methods
Primary and secondary research, interviews, user story mapping, information architecture, user flows, wireframes, design system creation, visual design, interactive prototyping, usability testing.
Solution
We have designed a mobile application that allows for the quick addition of captivating places and venues to favorite lists. The primary value of this application lies in conserving users' emotional energy. It enables rapid selection of spots for work or relaxation from a compilation of interesting establishments, providing a brief mental respite. Even those places which might have been forgotten but were previously saved are now readily accessible, always prepared to inspire.
Design process
A survey was conducted followed by subsequent interviews with selected survey participants on the topic of problem validation - whether people genuinely face difficulties with saving and selecting places. The aim was to understand their current approaches, how they navigate the process, and what challenges arise. Afterward, I adhered to the standard design process. In the culmination of the project, an MVP of the service was developed, now on the verge of release.
1. Research
- Primary and secondary  research
- Survey
- Customer development
2. UX design
- User stories and acceptance criteria
- Story mapping
- Information architecture
- Userflow
3. UI design
- Sketches
- Wireframes
- Visual design
4. Transmission
- Interactive prototype
- Design system
- Animation
Research and interviews
The goal of this phase was to gather enough information to confirm the stated problems and potentially identify new ones.
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As a result of the research and interviews, three distinct user segments with their own problems and needs were identified:

- Lifestyle bloggers
- Photographers
- Remote workers
A few key ideas
75% of people use several services to store information at the same time.
85% of respondents pay attention to the speed of the application, ease of navigation, convenience and speed of execution of the necessary scenarios.
70% of respondents associate clean and minimalistic design with the convenience of the service.
User story map
In the following stage, I engaged in crafting user stories and defining their acceptance criteria. As a result, I compiled a user story map, identified the essential functionality for the MVP version, and outlined iterations for the product's future development.
User Stories Template
I am like (a character or a role in the system)
I want (enter the action)
To (enter the value)
Template for user history acceptance criteria
Considering (initial action)
When (what is happening now?)
Then (what should happen?)
Information architecture
Created a simple map with the information architecture of the project to review and identify all the necessary screens, actions and entities.
Userflow
I have created maps of key user paths, logics and scenarios to design a simple and user-friendly interface for users.
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Below is an example of authorization in the application.
Design system
Since this application has growth and development paths, I created a design system. It will allow you to create a unified style of related products and a database of patterns that will be familiar and understandable to users. In addition, the design system will help establish communication between the designer and the developer.
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The system is based on auto-layouts, components with options and styles. The rules of their use are prescribed for all components.
Components
The name of the button is formulated clearly and unambiguously.
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The perfect infinitive type is used for button names. "Add", "Delete".
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There can only be one key action on the screen. The rest of the calls to action should be presented in the form of regular buttons.
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The purpose of the button should be clear from its name or context of use, and the behavior should be predictable. Do not mislead users.
Colors
System
Accents
Gradients
Text
All the terms used, addresses and patterns of interaction with the user are fixed, which simplifies the maintenance of a single service style. For example:
Entering passwords from SMS and push messages
A one-time password is used in cases where it is necessary to ensure increased security when performing an operation.
The password can come in push messages or SMS. In the first case, it can be substituted and processed automatically.
Visual design
The result of all research work is the creation of a visual design of screens
To increase the level of trust among users, a deferred authorization scenario has been thought out. Registration takes place via a mobile phone using a short one-time code (4 characters is a security requirement).
The key feature of the application (at the time of the MVP) is the ability to add notes to each institution in the list. This allows the user to form and display their unique experience. You can add text notes, photos, and voice messages. All these features help to describe your emotions, remember your favorite dishes and other observations. Such functionality is a good marketing move, both for the service and for users. Bloggers will be able to recommend dishes and tables with the best view; photographers - the most successful angles; remoters - to notice the quietest time so that no one interferes with the work.
It is possible to create lists of establishments or places according to your criteria. Also, the user can share lists with their own notes about establishments, which allows you to attract bloggers who want to share with their audience (maybe even earn extra money on this)
Due to the clean round shape, the application icon stands out on the desktop.

Will be glad to have a conversation with you.

vvlukin94@gmail.com

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