Native App Design • UI Design
West Town Groom & Board
This exploratory design project transforms the average pet grooming appointment into a delightful experience through utility and whimsy.
Project Type:
Native iOS mobile app design
Timeline:
4 weeks
Team:
Individual project
My Role:
UX design, UI design & branding
Project goal
Through this exploratory design project, I set out to upscale the pet parent experience by creating a mobile solution that would introduce an element of joy while simplify scheduling services.
Approach
As the sole designer, I developed the UX strategy, UI design, and branding to create a solution that addresses practical needs while delivering delight.
Solution
In four weeks, I designed an iOS app that lets pet owners schedule grooming and boarding for multiple pets, featuring AR technology that allows virtual try-on of accessories before appointments.
The product
Project goals
Build wireframes & clickable prototype
Build brand and design system
Explore concept of augmented reality
User test
Hi-fi product design
Getting started
This project embraced mobile-first design principles to deliver an intuitive and engaging user experience specifically optimized for iOS smartphone users.
The content strategy and information architecture were developed after analyzing 2 successful small pet grooming websites—Stylish Pooch (Philadelphia) and Bucktown Bow & Meow (Chicago).
For the app design, I focused on these basic tasks:
Setting up a new pet profile
Scheduling a service for a pet
Try an accessory on a pet in the "virtual dressing room"
Wireframes & ideation
Here is a snapshot of the low-fidelity wireframe concepts:
Home page with scrollable service categories
Pet profile page showing multiple pets and individual profile pages
Services displayed in expandable accordion menus
New pet onboarding process
Photo upload feature utilizing native device capabilities
(Snapchat style) Virtual dressing room
Mid-fi wireframe and prototype
Branding & design system
Here is the branding, color palette, typography, and general look and feel that I came up with.
It could be described as vibrant, bubbly, joy.
Design System
Splash screen + logo
The app launches with a splash screen to set the initial tone and feel, and lets the user know the app is loading
Home
The app homepage features key messages prominently at the top. Users can switch between cat and dog services, displaying the best spa packages and grooming options.
The navigation menu enables users to create pet profiles, schedule services, view service details and appointments, and access a virtual dressing room where they can try accessories on their pets using Augmented Reality.
New pet setup
One of the main workflows of the app is to set up a pet profile, including uploading a photo.
New pet setup
One of the main workflows of the app is to set up a pet profile, including uploading a photo.
Select a service
All services are conveniently listed in an easy-to-access accordion menu. Expanding the accordion reveals detailed information, pricing, and the option to add the service to a pet before proceeding to checkout.
Augmented reality pet dressing room
Out of curiosity, I decided to explore adding an element of augmented reality. As a result, I included a virtual dressing room where pet parents can virtually try accessories on their pets and add them to their service while scheduling.
Clickable Prototype
Please click around on the working prototype
Reflections
User testing is key
People are more likely to act when they feel inspired by emotions — maximize impact by telling stories that spark empathy, avoid despair, and end with hope.
Set schedules and checkpoints
Large, multi-phase projects (e.g., research, design, development) benefit when clear checkpoints are in place that allow for responsibility and accountability.
Remain flexible
Throughout the process, various challenges are likely to arise—expect the unexpected and be flexible.