Mobile Application

Paws Permitted

An app to aid outdoor enthusiasts in finding dog-friendly hikes.

Project Information

  • My Role: UX/UI Designer

  • Team: Capstone Project with DesignLab UX Academy

  • Tools Utilized: Figma, Miro, Optimal Workshop, Survey Monkey

  • Skills Utilized: User Research, Information Architecture, Wireframing, Brand Ideation, Prototyping, Affinity Mapping, Task/User Flows, and Usability Testing

  • Duration: Two Weeks, 80 Hours

Why Paws Permitted?

While enrolled at DesignLab UX Academy, I was given the opportunity to decide on a project I’d like to undertake for my Capstone Project. After some contemplation, I chose to design a website to aid dog owners in finding dog-friendly hiking trails.

I love hiking, and I often go hiking with our dog, Bruiser. Not all hiking trails allow dogs, due to concerns of run-off, etc. So, it’s important to determine if dogs are allowed, prior to deciding where to hike. Anyone that hikes with a dog knows that, with a little time and effort, one can locate dog-friendly hiking through utilizing various applications. But, upon searching, I was unable to find any applications in my metropolitan area, that specifically provide dog-friendly hiking routes.

Problem

It’s inconvenient to peruse many different websites and apps, in order to figure out where dogs are allowed to accompany hikers.

There are apps that provide dog-friendly hiking information, but none that specifically provide dog-friendly hikes in the Salt Lake City, Utah metropolitan area.

Goal

Determine if an application devoted specifically to locating and providing information for dog-friendly hikes in and near Salt Lake City, Utah would be a beneficial offering. And, if so, what other information might be helpful.

Research Insights

User Pain Points:

  • Because complete information for hiking with dog(s) is not included on any one site/app, it’s very time-consuming to find information from different sources

  • It’s frustrating for users that there isn’t more thorough information regarding leash requirements, distance, water availability, and nearby groceries, restaurants, attractions, etc.

Common Themes:

I first wanted to get a good idea of users, and their needs. Via Facebook, I asked if people would be willing to complete a survey and included the survey link. I utilized Survey Monkey and asked nine questions; 17 people completed the survey. The most common results were:

14/17 (82%) have or do utilize mainly AllTrails to locate dog-friendly hiking

11/17 (65%) own at least one dog

10/17 (59%) have or do hike with their dog(s)

Opportunities

  • Paws Permitted has a large database of dog-friendly hikes, details, and ratings in the Salt Lake City, UT area

  • With the additional features, Paw Permitted has the potential to provide all pertinent information a user would need for dog-friendly hiking.

User Persona

After analyzing the results from user surveys, I designed a User Persona, which shows whom the average Paws Permitted might be.

The typical outdoor enthusiast often owns at least one dog and enjoys being with and hiking with him/her.

I, and other hikers with dogs, are very aware it’s very important to be able to easily find dog-friendly hiking, and often, information is not readily available on current websites and applications, especially specifically in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.

For the Minimum Viable Product, I did not include water availability, or doggy day care options, but I would definitely include that information in the subsequent design.

Medium-Fidelity Wireframes

I want users to feel comfortable and familiar, as they explore a design. Since many of the survey respondents utilize AllTrails, I looked at that site, as well as others with similar designs, such as, Airbnb, and Bring Fido, as guides.

I wanted to ensure there was appropriate information available, such as the different specifics regarding the hikes, as well as images for users to be able to visualize different hiking locations.

Being a hiker myself, I know it’s a necessary option to be able to filter the options to see, with specificity, the available choices. The filter options are Hikes Nearby, Difficulty, Length, Elevation Gain, Suitability, Attractions, Route Type, User Rating, and Trail Traffic; all of these options help the user to find hikes that are best-suited for their desire.

Please click on the wireframe image to see the Figma file.

Branding Ideation

After completing User Research and investigating similar app/websites, I had a good idea of what I wanted for the app. I wanted the look and feel to be casual, fun, vibrant, and reflect the outdoors. Plus, I love the cute little hiking dog illustrations I found!

The UI Kit contains the color palette, topography, images, navigation, hike information, illustrations, etc.

The Initial Prototype was used for User Testing. I asked five people to test the design, as I looked on, listened to their comments, and answered their questions.

The users’ prompts were to locate:

  • Information for the “Horsetail Falls Hike”

  • “About Us” page

  • “Tips for Hiking with Dogs”

This prototype also contained all the overlays for the assorted hike options, which I have not included below, for simplicity.

Initial Prototype

Usability Testing Key Findings

After user testing was complete, I compiled an Affinity Map, outlining the user's’ design feedback, suggestions, and compliments for the project.

Some of the main feedback I received was:

  • The “Favorite” icon could be larger

  • I’d like to see directions, rather than a link

  • Consider adding an option to go back on pages

  • Maybe add shadows to the cards

  • The “Difficulty” rating looks more like a pill, than a button

  • “Tips” page looks “squished”

Iterations

  • 1) Rounded the hike difficulty ratings to look like pills, rather than buttons

    2) Added shadows to cards

    3) Increased the “Favorite” icon size

    4) Added an icon for hike information

  • 1) Updated the size and weight of the card icons, so they’re consistent

    2) Replaced the directions link with a “Directions” button

  • Increased the line spacing on the “Tips”, so they were easier to read.

  • Moved the “Info” to the bottom nav, rather than the top nav, in order to prevent the top of the page from feeling too crowded.

Final Version with Iterations

Once I had received user feedback, I updated the design. It’s always interesting that even though I look at and work on a design for many hours, the users always have suggestions regarding how to improve.

For simplicity of viewing, I did not include the overlays below. However, by clicking the below image, as well as viewing the prototype video, you can see the entire design, including overlays.

Final Prototype

Key Insights & Reflections

I had a lot of fun ideating and designing this project! Because I love the outdoors and hiking, it was very interesting to envision what this app would look like, and what information would be included.

I’d really like to get to the point I could actually implement this app, as it would be very useful for fellow hikers in my metropolitan area who hike with their dogs.

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