CICA - California Independent Contractor App

1. Identifying the Problem 


a. using many different apps to manage your day, there is a need to streamline the process to reduce time wasted

(text, instagram, facebook, phone calls, walk in clients) (paypal, venmo, square, zelle, cash, etc)


b. greater independence means more keeping track of what you do every day, like tracking expenses and income from various sources

(daily expense tracker, need a single money manager for business transactions)


2. User Research


Interviews were set up with 6 participants who have various experience in the hair industry. They were asked about how they felt about the recent law changes and what are the pain points of being a hair professional who wants to remain independent. Also questions about income and what they want in the future in their career.


3. Competitive Analysis
















The various apps and services that Hair professionals use on a daily basis and what they support. Whereas a barber shop with employees would encompass all of these needs in some way.


4. User Profiles - Personas


Three key users were honed in on to better understand their daily work flow and needs. (Names and images omitted)


Persona 1
-Late 30s
-Over 15 years in Hair Industry
-Salon Owner
-Manages all his own accounting while focusing on his work


Persona 2

-Early 20s
-2 years in hair industry
-Employee for hair chain
-Not ready for self employment but wants to in the future

Persona 3

-Late 20s
-5 years in hair industry
-Independent Contractor renting a booth, from being an employee
-Affected by law change changing the daily workflow


5. User Flow




















Th


The primary user goal of this app that helps streamline their work flow


6. Prioritization Matrix


















After considering all the app functions used on a daily basis and the user flow, this is a matrix of features that could be implemented. You can see what is essential and what could cost more; color coded features are potential options in what you want in the app versus what your budget is. Otherwise features that could be implemented later.


7.Project Proposal












































With a defined Minimum Viable Product (MVP), this proposal outlines the goals for this app design.


8. Card Sorting































Users sorted through features to see how they grouped them together. Mainly illustrating that managing clients and dealing with money were grouped together. Profile features were also predictably grouped together.


9. Paper Sketch - Low Fidelity






























10. First Wireframe iteration - Med Fidelity - Photoshop/InVision













































11. Usability Testing

Observing 4 subjects use the app prototype revealed an initial overwhelming of buttons from the main page. It took some time to understand the structure so an "onboarding" would be added to the start of the app.


Subjects like the idea of knowing more about their taxes and paying taxes periodically versus all at the end of the year, so that aspect would be developed a little more.


Lastly, the color and overall design needed an update as it still appeared primitive. The color design was being kept RED and BLUE because of the Barber pole colors, so a new color palette was put together.
















12. Second Wireframe - Med Fidelity - (FINAL for this project)  - Photoshop/InVision

InVision Link: https://invis.io/Y5OPU6KWXGP







































Onboarding















































































Client side of App that allows them to FIND a barber or other professional






















InVision Link: https://invis.io/Y5OPU6KWXGP








Independent Contractor App

A niche app design for California Independent Contractors, like Barbers. With recent law changes, hair industry professionals must rely even more on various apps to handle clients, manage payments and keep track of income and expenses. This app better streamlines the everyday tasks of barbers and also connects him/her to new potential clients, by combining key features into a single app.

The following is the User Experience research and the User Interface iteration process for this project.​

1. Identifying the Problem

2. User Research

3. Competitive Analysis

4. User profiles - Personas


5. User Flow

6. Prioritization Matrix

7. Project Proposal

8. Card Sorting


9. Paper sketch - Low Fidelity key screens

10. First Iteration - Med Fidelity

11. Usability Testing

12. Second Iteration - Med Fidelity