Flash Ink App
Area
UI/UX Design
Client
Instituto Tramontana
Year
2022
About the project
Flash Ink is an academic project focused on finding a digital solution to the problem of searching for tattoo artists. The proposal is a minimalist mobile application that allows you to get inspired, search, book and recommend tattoo artists.
Problem
Nowadays it is more and more common that we get tattooed. From its aboriginal origins, to its consideration in Western countries as something marginal, right now tattoos have become a culture and a way of life for young people.
Despite that, it is difficult for tattoo artists to make their way through this field. And not only because of its laboral struggles, but also because of the lack of tools to promote their work.
This reverbates in customers, as it makes it more difficult for them to find a tattoo artist who meets their needs. What tool can they use to look for a tattoo artist? How can they find a tattoo artist who fulfils their expectations and needs?
My job was to create a digital solution to make the task of finding a tattoo artist easier.
Understanding the problem
I conducted a desk research on the world of tattoos and an analysis of the competitors’ websites or apps. Shockingly, I learnt that there are not many specialised apps or webs, that not all studios have websites and that the main promotional tool for artists is Instagram.
After this, I conducted a survey of 16 people, for which I considered two types of users: clients (11 in total) and tattoo artists (5 in total). While the direct users are the consumers who are looking for artists to tattoo with, the other side of the coin are the tattoo artists, who are indirect but vital users. Without them, the whole project would be incomplete and unviable.
Learnings
Among the learnings I was able to draw from the research, the following stand out:
- There is widespread use of mobile phones by both types of users.
- Instagram is the primary tool for search and promotion, and therefore the main competitor to Flash Ink.
- Customers take friends’ recommendations into account when deciding on one artist or another.
Moreover, the most common factors that are taken into account when choosing a tattoo artist are:
- Tattoo style and technique.
- Advice and guidance from the tattooist.
- Cleanliness and organisation of the booth.
- Quality of the designs and previous work.
- Recommendations from friends.
- It is LGTBIQ+ friendly.
- It is a safe space for women.
One app. Four functions
Based on the data found in the research, I opted for a mobile app, given that it is the device most used by users. This app will have four main functions, based on the four main tasks of the process of looking for a tattoo artist. These are: getting inspired and finding an idea (Home), searching for an artist based on the user’s preferences (Search), making an appointment with the tattoo artist (Book), and providing recommendations about the artists (Review).
Wireframes
Inspiration
The home screen consists of a personalised feed of artists, similar to Instagram’s, so that the user can feel familiar with the app from the start. The feed is related to user’s favourite styles or to artists that are nearby.
The scroll flow is interrupted by carousels based on some search filters, such us city or tattoo style. By clicking on them, the content feed is narrowed to that specific filter.
At the very bottom, a suggestion for going to the search bar is made, along with a scroll back button.
Search
Based on what I learnt from my research, I narrowed the search filters to three: location, tattoo style and amenities. The last one is inspired by the main factors that users take into account when looking for a tattoo artist.
To search in the app, I decided to add a search bar at the top of the home screen. When tapping on it, it displays a modal that includes three steps, one for each filter.
The search results will be displayed as a feed, the same as on the home screen. The options selected for that search will be indicated in the bar itself and can be changed at any time by clicking on it.
Booking
Through the booking form, tattooists are provided with the necessary information about the tattoo the client has in mind. It consists of a seven-step form that the user will fill in to book with an artist. To prevent errors and make the process easier for the user, a summary of all the information will be displayed at the end before sending it.
Once submitted, the artist would receive an email with this information. The process of contacting the client would be done externally to the Fash ink app.
Review to recommend
Two weeks after the user has booked an appointment with a tattooist, a modal will pop up in the app, asking the user to rate their experience with the artist. They will have the option to complete this at a later time if they wish.
These recommendations will appear on the artist’s profile, so that other users can read them. This way, the recommendation feedback is emulated, at the same time that amenities info is completed for artists.
Figma Prototype
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