Pludo

Pludo is an app that allows users to engage with experts and influencers by sending them questions or requests for advice.

Website

Intro

Problem

The Pludo team faced a challenge in understanding the needs and preferences of their target audience in order to develop a product that would meet their needs and provide a unique and engaging experience.

Goal

The app was created with the goal of promoting interaction between users and experts or influencers. It does this by providing a platform for users to ask questions or seek advice. The app was designed with a focus on the user experience, meaning that all aspects of its design were carefully considered to ensure that users engage with it optimally through multiple channels of communications.

My Role

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work as a leading product designer in a small team, where I was able to hone my skills in product design, branding, and web design. During this time, I was able to collaborate with a talented group of individuals. Together we gained a deeper understanding of the design process and how each element contributes to the overall success of a project.

Project duration: 2 months

Research

Methods

We conducted user interviews and surveys to understand the target audience and their needs. This helped us gain insights into their preferences, motivations, and pain points, which were crucial for developing a solution that would meet their needs. During the interviews, we asked a variety of questions to get a better understanding of their experiences with seeking advice or guidance from experts in their industry. We also inquired about any challenges they faced in doing so, to identify common obstacles that could be addressed. Also, we try to research all market and potential competitor analysis's to learn more about best ways to provide seamless experience for users.

Insights

The data includes information on demographics, beliefs, and background. The target audience is diverse, ranging from Millennials to Gen Z, all of whom share a common interest in self-improvement, learning new skills, and achieving work-life balance. The audience's educational background varies, with the majority having at least a bachelor's degree or higher. The target audience consists of freelancers, small business owners, students, with a strong interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, and giving back to the community.

According to recent data, TikTok has seen the highest year-over-year growth in monthly active users, at 50%. Instagram and Facebook have also seen significant growth, with 25% and 7% YoY growth respectively. WhatsApp and YouTube have seen 15% YoY growth, while Snapchat has seen 22% and Twitter has seen 10%. LinkedIn has seen a 20% YoY growth in monthly active users. These trends suggest that social media apps remain popular and continue to attract new users.

We conducted both in-person and remote interviews. Some of the questions we asked include:

• Have you ever sought advice or guidance from an expert or influencer in your industry?

• What challenges did you face when trying to connect with experts or influencers?

• What features or functionalities would be most helpful in an app that connects users with experts and influencers?

During the research phase of our project, we conducted interviews with individuals who were both on-site and remote, depending on their location and availability. Through these interviews, we discovered that there were many people who had questions and needed guidance from experts in their industry, but found it difficult to locate opportunities to make those connections. It became clear to us that there was a need for a platform that was simple and intuitive to use, with a wide range of experts and influencers to choose from.

Key data points from research and interviews

• Approximately 80% of participants stated that they had sought advice or guidance from an expert or influencer in their industry.

• Over 50% of participants reported that they had difficulty finding opportunities to connect with experts or influencers.

• The top features that participants identified as most important in an app that connects users with experts and influencers were the ability to send questions or requests for advice directly to experts and the ability to schedule consultations or connect with experts in real-time.

Define

Personas

In order to better comprehend the target audience and their requirements for the Pludo app, we devised various personas that embody distinct types of users who may engage with the app. These personas were established using knowledge accumulated from user interviews, surveys, and market research.

Each persona offers a comprehensive depiction of the user's background, objectives, pain points, motivations, personality, and a quote that encapsulates their viewpoint. By formulating these personas, we were able to attain a more profound understanding of the unique needs and preferences of a diverse range of users, which in turn informed our design decisions and enabled us to create a platform that caters to a broad spectrum of users.

Small Business Owner

Pain points: Jane often struggles with finding the time and resources to research and implement new strategies to grow his business. She is also frustrated by the lack of access she has to experts and influencers in his industry, which can limit his ability to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.

Motivations: Jane is motivated by the potential to grow her business and provide better service to her clients. She is also motivated by the opportunity to connect with other business owners and share his experiences and insights.

Freelance Designer

Pain points: Sarah often struggles with finding the time and resources to learn new skills and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. She is also frustrated by the lack of access she has to experts and influencers in her industry, which can limit her ability to improve her work and stay competitive.

Motivations: Sarah is motivated by the potential to improve her skills and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in her industry. She is also motivated by the opportunity to connect with other designers and share her experiences and insights.

Entrepreneur

Pain points: David often struggles with finding the time and resources to research and implement new strategies to launch and grow his startup. He is also frustrated by the lack of access he has to experts and influencers in his industry, which can limit his ability to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.

Motivations: David is motivated by the potential to launch and grow his startup and make a positive impact on the world. He is also motivated by the opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs and share his experiences and insights.

Design

The team took an iterative approach to design, testing and changing based on feedback, and insights from testing contributed to the final deliverables by informing changes to the user interface and functionality. During the test phase, user testing was conducted on wireframes and visual designs. A prototype was created and utilized for testing. Insights from testing contributed to the final deliverables by informing changes to the user interface and functionality.

Branding

The final branding elements included a logo and branded elements such as icons and typography. The color palette selected was a combination of blue and white, which were chosen because they represent trust, growth, and innovation.

During the branding process, the team carefully considered various design elements before finalizing on the most effective ones. Apart from the logo, the team also agreed on incorporating branded elements such as icons and typography to enhance the overall visual appeal of the brand. The color palette selected was a combination of blue and white hues, which were specifically chosen due to their ability to evoke trust, growth, and innovation. This would not only resonate well with the target audience but would also differentiate the brand from its competitors.

Design system

We created a design system to maintain a consistent visual brand across all aspects of the app. This system included wireframes, UI designs, and graphic design elements like icons, illustrations, and other visual assets aligned with the app's unique and exciting experience. Our goal was to create a final product that was both visually appealing and highly functional, tailored to the needs and preferences of the app's target audience.

By developing a robust and well-defined design system, our team was able to create an app that stood out in a crowded market and provided a seamless and engaging user experience. We delivered a comprehensive design system that included branding elements like a logo and color palette, UI design, a style guide, and mockups, ensuring a user-centric and successful product launch.

Results

Upon launching the Pludo app, the company saw significant success in achieving its goals. The app quickly gained a large user base, with many individuals seeking expert advice on various topics.

Also achieved:

• Increased traffic to the app's website and social media pages, as users share their experiences with the app and experts share their content.

• Positive reviews and ratings from users can help to attract new users and build credibility for the app.

• A strong brand reputation, as users, come to trust the app as a reliable source of expert advice and guidance.

• A growing user base, as the app's popularity and success attract more individuals to join and engage with experts.

• Increased revenue through subscription fees and paid consultation services, as the app continues to grow in popularity and demand for these services increases.

• Collaborations with businesses, educational institutions, and other industry partners can help to expand the app's reach and revenue streams.

• Improved user experience as the app continues to develop and roll out new features and functionality based on user feedback.