Critter Sitter
My Role: User Research | UI Design | Wireframe| Prototype
Critter Sitter connects pet owners with sitters, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for all types of pets, including those beyond the typical cats and dogs. The app allows pet owners to quickly identify sitters comfortable with specific animals, facilitating direct communication tailored to each pet's needs. By integrating a user-friendly messaging system and detailed sitter preferences, Critter Sitter enhances the pet-sitting process, making it easy to manage multiple pets and sitters effectively.
Research
1
Define
Wireframe
Prototype
Impact
2
3
4
5
Research
User Research
I interviewed seven pet owners and sitters with varying experiences and preferences to gain valuable insights before developing the Critter Sitter app. Their feedback highlighted the need for clear communication, personalized pet preferences, and an intuitive design for both sitters and pet owners. Based on these discussions, I created two user personas that reflect the diverse needs and challenges within the pet-sitting community. Below, you can explore the two personas developed from this research.
Define
Pain Points
Problem 1: Sitter Search
-
Some sitters specialize in non-traditional pets (e.g., birds, reptiles, horses)
-
Owners of unique pets struggle to find qualified sitters
Problem 2: Sitter Experience
-
Challenge in quickly identifying sitters experience with specific pets
-
Sitters unable to clarify comfort concerns with specific animals
Problem 3: Messaging for multi-pet households
-
Messaging lacks pet-specific organization
-
Managing multiple pet sitting jobs and instructions are overwhelming
Wireframes
Sitters
Experience
Messaging
Assets
Prototype
Sitters
List of stitters clearly indicates pet experience with icons on the search page.
Experience
Sitter is able to indicate which pets they are comfortable with and show pet owner how many years of experience they have.
Messages
Messages show which pet the sitter is caring for and a pet owner can have multiple sitters.
Impact
Users expressed their enthusiasm for the Critter Sitter app, highlighting its potential to transform the pet-sitting experience by reducing confusion and enhancing communication. The app's clear messaging system, tailored to individual pets, and the ability to easily identify sitters' preferred animals while also showcasing their experience level, streamline the search process.
Overall, this innovative approach aims to build a supportive community where both pet owners and sitters can thrive, ultimately making pet care more accessible and less stressful for everyone involved.
