Mobile App Design for a Startup

Understanding the Problem Current link creation through the mobile web browser experience is complex and not intuitive. Creators already use their mobile device to create much of their content and to operate their business. Howl should be accessible to Creators on the go.

How might we create a seamless experience for making links from a mobile device?

How might we quickly ship an MVP for the mobile app?

Flowchart In order to better understand the user’s motive behind using the app, my team and I mapped out the journey of a first time user with an existing Howl account to quickly access the app for the creation of a link or to grab a copy of a link.

Wireframes I started with some rough sketches and lo-fi wireframes to map out the layout of the mobile app design. Being the lead designer with a two month timeline to ideate, design, test, and launch the mobile app, I was encouraged to jump to some hi-fi wireframing for user testing fairly quick.

User Testing & Feedback The app was proposed to have more functionality than create links but the scope was scaled back for MVP. Some of the nav before the scope change is seen in the prototype. We performed user testing with a selected group of Howl power users who performed tasks relating to the link creation process. Overall, we received great feedback. A few adjustments needed to be made to ensure the app was intuitive for first-time users. Additionally, we received feedback from our leadership team to change the UI design to match that of our web browser product. The prototype can be viewed below.

Final Product Given the scope change, the MVP for the app includes only link creation and management, a main priority for creators. Our users have the ability to quickly create Howl links as they shop brand websites and share out to their followers on the go. In the future, we plan to expand on the navigation in the app to offer more functionality.