LOWER BEGINNER
CROCHET DROPOUTS
LOWER BEGINNER
CROCHET DROPOUTS
Embedded Files
CROCHET DROPOUTS
Losing motivation while learning crochet? Feeling drained because it's not easy to understand? I'm on my way to improve it.
Losing motivation while learning crochet? Feeling drained because it's not easy to understand? I'm on my way to improve it.
Tags #Research, #UXDesign, #Crochet, #Capstone Status In-progress
I did Research, Design, and Prototype Tools used Figma
Timeframe 3 months
Introduction
Introduction
This idea was inspired by personal experience. I stumbled through all the struggles of trying to learn crochet on my own—it was confusing, and there was no clear guidance on where to start. When I shared this with my friends, they told me about their similar experiences—and how they ended up quitting crochet. I suddenly thought, what a shame!
This idea was inspired by personal experience. I stumbled through all the struggles of trying to learn crochet on my own—it was confusing, and there was no clear guidance on where to start. When I shared this with my friends, they told me about their similar experiences—and how they ended up quitting crochet. I suddenly thought, what a shame!
This beautiful craft is often abandoned simply because there's not enough support or motivation for beginners. So I thought, why don't I try to design this? And that’s how it all started.
This beautiful craft is often abandoned simply because there's not enough support or motivation for beginners. So I thought, why don't I try to design this? And that’s how it all started.
Figure 1. My proudest piece - Kuromi plush keychain
I'm aiming to make an app that empowers Beginners in their Crochet journey.
I'm aiming to make an app that empowers Beginners in their Crochet journey.
Figure 2. The 5 Whys
Why are people quitting?
Why are people quitting?
Desk research was conducted to better understand the situation. When diving into forums and threads created by crocheters, it is easy to notice that many people take up crochet to relieve stress. However, learning crochet ends up making them more stressed, leading them to quit.
But what about others who are still thriving at crochet? What keeps them going? Some crochet for charitable purposes, creating items for donations. Many people also find motivation in connecting with their ancestors through crochet, and others enjoy crocheting with friends, which further inspires them.
Figure 3. The Problem Tree
Figure 4. The Fishbone Diagram
What are their Struggles?
What are their Struggles?
First of all, let’s take a look at the biggest challenges crocheters often face.
First of all, let’s take a look at the biggest challenges crocheters often face.
To better understand their needs, a survey was conducted to gather insights directly from crocheters. The goal was to identify which missing features would truly benefit our users.
To better understand their needs, a survey was conducted to gather insights directly from crocheters. The goal was to identify which missing features would truly benefit our users.
Figure 2. Motivation appears to be the biggest obstacle in their journey
Figure 3. Aspects that crocheters wish were easier for them
It is evident that users value step-by-step video tutorials, interactive guides, and progress tracking. Based on the survey, the top device users choose for learning crochet is their phone. Therefore, a mobile app was chosen as the platform for the design.
It is evident that users value step-by-step video tutorials, interactive guides, and progress tracking. Based on the survey, the top device users choose for learning crochet is their phone. Therefore, a mobile app was chosen as the platform for the design.
Card Sorting
Card Sorting
A closed card sorting was chosen because it's a quicker way to test whether "standard" labels are easy for users to navigate. This was done with 5 participants, from knowing basic crochet from not having a clue about crochet.
A closed card sorting was chosen because it's a quicker way to test whether "standard" labels are easy for users to navigate. This was done with 5 participants, from knowing basic crochet from not having a clue about crochet.
Figure 4. Card sorting activity for participants
IA & USERFLOW
IA & USERFLOW
Figure 5. The final IA
Figure 6. User Flow designed to better capture user attention.
The flow above is based on how a new user interacts with the platform. Inspired by game tutorials that guide new players, this flow was created to help users who are entirely new to crocheting with a step-by-step guide to understanding the features and app layout. It also helps me identify potential pain points early in the journey, allowing me to improve usability and overall satisfaction from the start.
The flow above is based on how a new user interacts with the platform. Inspired by game tutorials that guide new players, this flow was created to help users who are entirely new to crocheting with a step-by-step guide to understanding the features and app layout. It also helps me identify potential pain points early in the journey, allowing me to improve usability and overall satisfaction from the start.
LET'S JUMP TO WIREFRAME!
LET'S JUMP TO WIREFRAME!
Wireframing helped me identify unnecessary clutter and revealed opportunities to streamline the layout. It also sparked the idea of motivational features like pattern rewards instead of streaks, designed to keep learners engaged with meaningful outcomes. With this, I can move forward to developing the prototype.
Wireframing helped me identify unnecessary clutter and revealed opportunities to streamline the layout. It also sparked the idea of motivational features like pattern rewards instead of streaks, designed to keep learners engaged with meaningful outcomes. With this, I can move forward to developing the prototype.
Figure 13. . A Capybara buddy keeping me company while working on the wireframe in Figma.
Figure 14. Signin & Signup screens
The wireframe features a two-column layout, ensuring that elements are displayed correctly on phones, particularly those with curved-edge screens.
The wireframe features a two-column layout, ensuring that elements are displayed correctly on phones, particularly those with curved-edge screens.
For signing in, instead of using separate buttons for sign-in and sign-up as in the initial version, I opted for a "Continue with..." approach. This saves space and provides a more direct choice.
For signing in, instead of using separate buttons for sign-in and sign-up as in the initial version, I opted for a "Continue with..." approach. This saves space and provides a more direct choice.
Figure 15. Get to know user's preferences
Users can choose to skip this step and it will take them directly to setting up their profile. Unlike the initial version, where this step was mandatory. In this case, the app will automatically choose the most popular projects available to recommend on the app instead.
Users can choose to skip this step and it will take them directly to setting up their profile. Unlike the initial version, where this step was mandatory. In this case, the app will automatically choose the most popular projects available to recommend on the app instead.
Figure 16. Typical number of screens for Learning.
After setting up their profile, users will be directed to the Lesson screen, where a guide will highlight key areas. The layout removes the navigation bar to maintain focus on the lesson. The app tracks progress, including time, accuracy, and lessons left to unlock the chest. A popup will also introduce the Community feature.
After setting up their profile, users will be directed to the Lesson screen, where a guide will highlight key areas. The layout removes the navigation bar to maintain focus on the lesson. The app tracks progress, including time, accuracy, and lessons left to unlock the chest. A popup will also introduce the Community feature.
Figure 17. Community layout
The Community section is now divided into three groups: Discover (a feed of patterns), Discussion (for posts, tips, and project shares), and Crochet2Gether (for joining or creating rooms to connect with others).
The Community section is now divided into three groups: Discover (a feed of patterns), Discussion (for posts, tips, and project shares), and Crochet2Gether (for joining or creating rooms to connect with others).
Figure 18. Community layout
Tapping the Profile icon will open a side menu for user management options.
Tapping the Profile icon will open a side menu for user management options.
Figure 19. Workspace screens
The workspace combines what participants said they wanted with what I’ve always wished for myself. It’s designed to minimize the need for users to stop crocheting, tap, scroll, or even open a browser just to understand a term. With voice commands and all essential tools built into the workspace, there's no need to switch between multiple apps for a single project
The workspace combines what participants said they wanted with what I’ve always wished for myself. It’s designed to minimize the need for users to stop crocheting, tap, scroll, or even open a browser just to understand a term. With voice commands and all essential tools built into the workspace, there's no need to switch between multiple apps for a single project
The Prototype! °ʚ(*´꒳`*)ɞ°
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