PlugWorld ~ 2023

PlugWorld is a leading print-on-demand provider with minimal digital presence. This case study highlights my ability to work within tight project restraints and limited direction.

PlugWorld is a unique project in that our client had little-to-no digital presence before onboarding and a very open-minded approach to the solutions we could offer. The only clear goal was to create a SaaS product that could maximize efficiency internally, and eventually boost revenue through white-labeling. My responsibility was spearheading user requirements, UX design, and plans for product development.

Timeline: 3 months

Industry: Ecommerce + SaaS

The initial goal for PlugWorld was to solve business inefficiencies with digital tools. Through an initial discovery phase, we determined the scope would include multiple phases. The first phase would be an MVP of an online product order and quote system along with a product roadmap for the following phases. My responsibility was designing the screens for the MVP and building out user requirements and suggested features for the following phases.

The most important facet to the design strategy was clarifying categories before pushing any pixels. As I mapped categories, I referenced the competitive landscape and communicated closely with the client who had insight into his customer's experience. In terms of interface, I chose a dark mode theme to be inline with the brand.

I helped map the product journey from user requirements for the MVP to feature roll outs for the following phases. When mapping out the product journey I considered the complexity of each feature as well as sequence in which features set up the strongest infrastructure for future features. I also sorted feature builds into three phases with three levels of priority per phase to set us up for an agile approach to building.

Key phases:

Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Basic order form - Account creation - Vendor interest collection

Integrated Quote: Vendor storefronts - More seamless process

Automated Process: Inventory and quote management - Logic-based matching

I used design principles and feedback to improve the user journey while designing the MVP screens. Some of the key choices I made include:

Utilizing a "pizza tracker" or "stepper" at the top to allow the user to know how far along they are in the order process. This keeps users focused and motivated to complete the process.

Providing "info bubbles" on print methods that may be unfamiliar for the user. This keeps the user in the order form so that they do not need to go Google info that we could instead provide for them.

Highlighting the area of focus and hiding elements that do not apply to the selections they've made. This eliminates confusion and guides the user's attention to where it needs to go.

Building in logic based on conditions to contain and limit any potential user error. For example: only providing enough "file upload" slots for the number of print areas selected; not listing "print on sleeve" for tank tops, etc.

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2023