Summary

In 2024, Skiptown expanded its dog care ecosystem by launching a new dog training service. My team was tasked with designing a seamless booking flow and an intuitive homework tracking system that would help clients manage their dog’s training progress between weekly in-person classes. This case study outlines my approach to designing these features, resulting in a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for both clients and our team members.

Approach

The challenge was to create a digital solution that addressed the gaps in our clients’ training continuity and engagement. Before launching this service, there was no easy way for clients to book dog training classes or track their homework assignments, which led to potential inconsistencies in their dog’s progress. The goal was to build a system where clients could easily book their classes and stay on top of their dog's training at home, all while minimizing the need for printed materials for the staff.

One of the key obstacles was integrating these new features into Skiptown’s existing system, which was already designed primarily for scheduling and viewing upcoming appointments. We also needed to ensure that the new features would be user-friendly and intuitive enough for both clients and staff to embrace, thus ensuring high adoption rates.

Outcomes

The new booking and homework tracking system has had a significant positive impact on both the client experience and internal operations. Clients now have an intuitive way to book dog training classes and track homework assignments, helping them stay engaged and consistent between sessions. The new digital solution has improved continuity in training and reduced administrative tasks for our training staff. With fewer paper materials to manage, trainers can focus more on their in-person interactions, and clients enjoy a more cohesive experience overall.

Process

To ensure the success of this project, we began by focusing on the integration challenges within Skiptown’s current system. We conducted a heuristic evaluation of the existing platform to pinpoint where the new features would fit seamlessly. Afterward, we performed a competitive analysis, looking into other dog training apps to understand industry standards and gather ideas for enhancing the design.

We followed this research phase with collaborative brainstorming and story mapping sessions, which allowed us to prioritize features that were both practical and engaging. From there, I turned initial sketches into wireframes, which eventually evolved into interactive prototypes. Throughout the process, we continuously refined the designs based on feedback from stakeholders and potential users. Once we had a solid user interface (UI) prototype, we focused on fine-tuning the visual elements, ensuring that the platform was consistent with Skiptown’s established brand identity and easy to use for our clients.