In comparison, Mina offered more flexibility to its retail owners for events. They provided a more tailored approach to the retail owner's needs and requirements. In addition, Minema provided more substantial event options.
Minema's current process lacked automation, less user insight on the company and its practices, minimal social media interaction options, and presented a complex, cumbersome onboarding process. Retail owners also had less opportunity to discover events or information about the events.
There was a clear opportunity to increase automation, develop one-click signup, provide users more details about the services offered, and give more specification options to retail owners.
Eventbrite did present a wider audience, user-friendly capabilities, and analytic features that would draw in retail owners and vendors.
After defining the current mentality around event hosting, I created a list of questions for this project that would help address the core needs and expectations of the platform.
Information gathered from the retail owner survey noted above helped provide a clear picture of the retail owner Minema would seek as customers. The persona developed was also used as a guide for specific participants needed in the usability testing round of the design.
Considering the users needs, I developed a user flow focused on simplicity and rapid setup.
I developed digital sketches of the preliminary design decisions. These concepts were reviewed with the client prior to moving forward with high-fidelity designs.
The central elements of the design were expected to showcase Minema's primary color as a consistent design feature. The client enjoyed the idea of a more monochromatic theme.
The solutions should (a) encourage retail owners to post their location the Minema site, (b) define clear and simple standards, practices, and guidelines, (c) encourage a partnership with retail owners, and (d) minimize the current concerns retail owners have for with planning events.
Users wanted clarification on if they had already started the sign up process or if they were just reviewing the information.
Solution: I added a header in this area to help identify what stage of the process they were in.
Participants indicated the time frames of Morning, Afternoon, and Evening could be misleading if not labeled.
Solution: Beside each title I added a time frame for clarity.
Participants noted having multiple date selection options was optimal.
Solution: The functionality was updated to indicate the ability to select multiple date and time options. I also added text to indicate they could select outside of the preferred dates.
Participants noted there was not clear indication on the response time after they sign up to offer their space.
Solution: Giving a time frame would help determine next steps with Minema.
The business profile lacked a few elements that would help retail owners.
Solution: Increased user options for additional team members. Included incorporation of company social media and calendar.
We determined that retail owners will utilize Minema if there is an indication of return business and substantial marketing. Through testing, I also determined what their key needs are to make the platform successful. Based on the comments received retail owners would be happy to utilize the final space sharing platform from Minema.
Understandably, time pressures and budgets hold weight in addition to the user's needs; however, there is value in this service and with more insight from the community the functionality of the platform can generate a substantial amount of return business.
