Design Process

To create a solution that effectively addresses user needs and concerns, we employed the Design Thinking methodology. This approach involves five key stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Here’s a detailed look at how we applied Design Thinking in the development of Transafe:

1. Empathize: Understanding User Needs

User Research

Our journey began with extensive user research to understand the pain points and expectations of potential users. We used qualitative methods, including surveys and interviews, to gather insights. The survey was distributed via Google Forms, targeting individuals who frequently engage in online transactions outside of traditional marketplaces.

Key Survey Questions:

• Where do you typically buy/sell items online?
• Why do you prefer transactions outside of marketplaces?
• What challenges do you face when transacting online?
• What features would you find helpful in an online transaction platform?

Key Findings:

• Pain Points: Users highlighted low transaction security, high risk of fraud, lack of price transparency, and difficulties in arranging meetings as major issues.
• User Needs: Quick and secure transactions, flexible item listings, personal interactions with buyers/sellers, and straightforward payment methods were identified as crucial requirements.

2. Define

Affinity Mapping

We organized our research findings into categories to identify common themes and insights. This process helped us prioritize user needs and challenges, guiding our design decisions.

Create User Personas

Based on our research and affinity mapping, we synthesized the data to develop detailed user personas. These personas helped us empathize with users and keep their needs at the forefront of our design process.

User Persona 1: Ali Marpaung

User Persona 2: Maya Saputri

Empathy Mapping

We used empathy mapping to delve deeper into the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of our personas. This exercise allowed us to gain a holistic understanding of their experiences and expectations.

3. Ideate: Generating Solutions

User Flow and Information Architecture

We designed detailed user flows and information architecture diagrams to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience. These visualizations helped us map out the user journey and interaction points.

4. Prototype: Crafting the User Interface

 Style Guide

To maintain a consistent visual language, we established a comprehensive style guide, including color schemes, typography, and design elements.

Wireframes

Wireframes are essential for visualizing the basic structure and layout of the application. We used Miro to create low-fidelity wireframes, focusing on the placement of key elements and overall flow of the user interface.

Hi-Fi Design

After creating the wireframes, which helped us establish the basic structure and functionality of the application, the next step was to transition to high-fidelity (Hi-Fi) designs. This transition is crucial as it involves incorporating the visual design elements defined in the style guide to create a polished and interactive version of the application. The high-fidelity (Hi-Fi) screens represent the polished version of the application, incorporating all visual elements and interactions. This phase takes the foundational structure laid out in the wireframes and enhances it with a refined visual style and interactive elements, ensuring that the final product is not only functional but also visually appealing and intuitive to use.

Prototyping

Prototyping involves creating an interactive version of the application that simulates user interactions and workflows. We used Figma to develop the interactive prototype, allowing users to navigate through the app and experience its functionality firsthand.

5. Test: Gathering Feedback

 Usability Testing

We conducted extensive usability testing to gather feedback on our prototypes using Maze, a remote testing tool that allows us to gather actionable insights from real users. Maze helps in understanding how users interact with our prototype and identifies any pain points or areas for improvement. Participants were asked to complete specific tasks while we observed and recorded their interactions. The testing focused on ease of navigation, clarity of information, and overall user satisfaction.

Results:

• Usability Score: 94
• Feedback: Users found the interface intuitive and appreciated the added security features. They highlighted the ease of navigation and the transparency of information as key strengths of the platform.