GuyTalk
In my role as a product designer, I tackled the challenge of crafting a men's hair salon brand and website in three months. Feedback from my instructor and peers shaped my approach, making this case study a reflection of my journey.
UI.UX
Christian Spaulding
Role:
Product and Branding
Duration:
3 weeks
The challenge and the solution.
Facing the challenge of modernizing men's grooming experiences, I devised a solution that transcends traditional salons. Recognizing the lack of spaces tailored specifically for men's relaxation and rejuvenation, I created Guy Talk—a sanctuary inspired by the essence of the man cave.
Through thorough research and dialogue with men aged 18 to 50, I curated a brand and website that authentically connect with their identities and desires, transforming grooming into an immersive, brotherhood-focused experience.
Getting out of a general thought.
In men's grooming, targeting men alone seems straightforward, but my interviews revealed a surprising truth: women often influence their partner's appearance.
Though not actively seeking grooming experiences for them, they subtly signal their involvement. Online exploration further enriched this narrative, showing mixed opinions. Engaging both men and women in my venture holds promising potential.
Exploring the market.
Competition
Exploring men's hair salons revealed common services but distinct atmospheres for different clienteles. By understanding these nuances, I refined user experience and formed genuine connections with our audience, highlighting the importance of navigating industry dynamics for impactful client engagement.
Getting to the selling point.
Simple, Customizable , and fast were words going through my head when I was creating the ultimate selling point the website had to offer.
After a customer looked at the site and found that this is place for them; they would want to make an appointment. Making this accessible and easy to understand was crucial to making this.
After numerous user testings and revisions I was able to get the perfect look and feel. The easier is to book an appointment the more likely they will.
Designing for consistency.
Developing a design system was crucial for ensuring consistency and scalability across the product. Beyond addressing elements like colors, typography, and illustrations, I meticulously tested various layouts and configurations for different sections of the app until receiving minimal feedback.
This comprehensive approach not only facilitated faster iterations of the final design but also ensured a cohesive and structured user experience throughout the app.
Process to success.
Getting feedback from other designers and iterating my designs was a key factor in its positive feedback. Also talking to men and women helped me get a greater view of how much women can affect a service for men.
What I learned.
Feedback from other designers: Taking feedback from other designers is a great way to enhance your project. You aren't the only one with good ideas.
Branding is key: Setting up a brand guidelines and design system helped me bring style to this website.
Accessibility: Making things accessible by color contrast and layout will make your product easier to use for everyone not just people that really need it.
