Artisan Alley: Empowering Artisans Through User-Centered Research and Transparent Design
Digital Marketplace Design to Expand Artisan Alley’s Reach and Enhance Artisan-Customer Connections. Improving Market Access, Cultural Preservation, and Consumer Trust using unique Handcrafted Products Supporting Global Artisan Communities."
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Explore the art work of artisans through these paintings
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THE PROBLEM
The current market for handmade crafts is highly fragmented, lacking a unified platform that effectively connects artisans with customers. Artisans face significant challenges in gaining visibility and reaching potential buyers, while customers encounter difficulties in discovering and purchasing unique, high-quality handmade products.
What problems are we solving?
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Visibility for Artisans: Many artisans struggle to gain visibility and effectively market their products to a wider audience. They often rely on small, local markets or limited online presence.
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Discovery for Customers: Customers looking for unique handmade items find it challenging to discover quality products due to the scattered nature of available platforms.
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Community Engagement: There is a lack of community-driven platforms where artisans and customers can interact, share stories, and build relationships centered around handmade crafts.
HIGH LEVEL TIMELINE
The time line was 4 weeks to craft a effective product strategy
MAKE OF THE TEAM
I am the sole UX researcher and strategist to drive this product
KEY GOAL
The key goal was to build an effective online platform which can connect artisans and the buyers
MY ROLE
As the Product Designer, my role in the Artisan Alley project was multifaceted, focusing on user-centered design and ensuring the platform effectively met the needs of both artisans and customers.
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User Research and Insight Gathering:
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Conducted ethnographic studies, surveys, and interviews to understand user needs and behaviors. Analyzed data to identify key user requirements and market opportunities.
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Prototyping and Usability Testing:
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Developed wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes focusing on user flows and interface intuitiveness. Conducted usability testing to gather feedback and iterated on the design.
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Visual and Interaction Design:
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Created detailed artisan profiles and product pages, ensuring a visually appealing and authentic platform. Designed for mobile responsiveness and accessibility for a consistent user experience.
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Hi-Fi Mockups for the Artisan alley
UNDERSTANDING THE USER
Based on the Surveys and secondary research some of the insights from user research were:
Challenges and Research Insights for the Artisan Alley Project
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1. Limited Market Access: Traditional artisans, particularly in rural areas, struggle to reach broader markets due to geographical and economic constraints. Surveys showed that 70% rely on local sales, with 80% expressing a strong desire for an online platform to expand their reach globally.
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2. Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Modernization threatens the continuation of traditional crafts, with 60% of artisans fearing their skills won't be passed down. Ethnographic studies revealed that 75% of artisans believe storytelling is vital for preservation, and 68% of customers prefer products with cultural significance.
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3. Building Consumer Trust: Buyers are often hesitant to purchase handmade items online due to quality and authenticity concerns. Interviews indicated that 55% of customers want detailed artisan profiles and product information, with 62% relying heavily on reviews and 58% demanding transparency in materials and techniques.
Basket weaving
Basket weaving (also basketry or basket making) is the process of weaving or sewing pliable materials into three-dimensional artifacts, such as baskets, mats, mesh bags or even furniture. Craftspeople and artists specialized in making baskets may be known as basket makers and basket weavers.
BREAKING DOWM THE PROCESS
The handmade crafts market is a niche yet growing segment driven by consumer demand for unique, artisanal products. Despite the increasing interest, existing platforms do not sufficiently cater to the specific needs of artisans and customers. This presents a significant opportunity to create a dedicated online marketplace that bridges this gap and fosters a vibrant community around handmade crafts.
What are we building?
We are developing an online marketplace specifically for handmade crafts that will feature:
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Vendor Registration: Simple and efficient processes for artisans to register and list their products.
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Product Listing: Detailed and attractive product listings with high-quality images and descriptions.
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Search and Filter Options: Advanced search functionality to help customers easily find what they are looking for.
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Secure Checkout: Robust and secure payment systems to protect both buyers and sellers.
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Customer Reviews: A system for customer feedback and reviews to build trust and credibility.
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Community Features: Forums and social media integrations to foster community engagement and storytelling.
What problems are we solving?
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Visibility for Artisans: Many artisans struggle to gain visibility and effectively market their products to a wider audience. They often rely on small, local markets or limited online presence.
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Discovery for Customers: Customers looking for unique handmade items find it challenging to discover quality products due to the scattered nature of available platforms.
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Transaction Security: Ensuring secure, reliable transactions is a major concern for both artisans and buyers, who may be wary of fraud and unreliable payment systems.
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Community Engagement: There is a lack of community-driven platforms where artisans and customers can interact, share stories, and build relationships centered around handmade crafts.
THESE WERE SOME MAJOR LEARNINGS OR POINTS WE WANTED TO CALL OUT
which was Creating a dedicated platform for handmade crafts addresses several critical needs:
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Empowering Artisans:
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By providing a marketplace with better visibility and marketing tools, artisans can reach a broader audience and increase their sales.
Enhancing Customer Experience:
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Customers benefit from a more streamlined and enjoyable shopping experience, with access to a wide variety of unique, handmade Products
Promoting Sustainable Shopping:
Encouraging the purchase of handmade items supports small businesses and sustainable practices.
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The above challenges were addressed using these new design
TITLE OF THE CALLOUT BLOCK
LESSONS LEARNED
This project helped me figure out a product strategy to help artisans connect with the global market to increase their visibility and showcase their unique skills in the handmade crafts industry
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Importance of User-Centered Design:
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Lesson: Engaging with both artisans and customers through ethnographic studies, surveys, and interviews provided invaluable insights that shaped the product.
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Application: Always start with thorough user research to ensure the product meets real needs and solves actual problems.
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Value of Storytelling:
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Lesson: Highlighting the cultural significance and unique stories behind each artisan's work resonated deeply with customers, increasing engagement and trust.
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Application: Integrate storytelling elements into the product to create emotional connections and enhance user experience.
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Continuous Feedback and Iteration:
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Lesson: Regular usability testing and iterative design refinements were crucial in developing a user-friendly platform.
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Application: Maintain a cycle of testing, feedback, and iteration throughout the development process to continuously improve the product.
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