Project Overview

Client:

ThePortugueseList (School Project)

Lifeform function:

Research (with Tiago Mestre)

Design

3D Modelling

Area of Study:

Interaction Design, App Design, XR Design, Portugal

Targeted Goal:

Design a Blog/Content platform solution, with VR and AR capabilities.

The Case Study

ThePortugueseList is an Instagram Business account passionately dedicated to curating the very best of Portuguese designers, brands, and products. As a new and web-based brand, it has rapidly garnered a significant and highly engaged audience.

With its distinct and unique 'product,' it presented an exceptional opportunity for the implementation of a multimedia solution.

Throughout this case study, certain aspects were developed collaboratively, while others were spearheaded individually, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of its potential.

The Solution

The Solution developed in this Case Study has the main goal of empowering portuguese brands, products and designers, creating a community platform where costumers can learn more about the cultural and historical heritage of the curated brands, designers and products.
For that it was developed a Blog/Content platform solution, with interaction capabilities between users and Designers and support for different types of media, including Augmented and Virtual Reality.

Design Process

Inspiration

In this crucial stage of our project, we meticulously conducted Stakeholder Interviews, delved into extensive User Research, and rigorously analyzed the competitive landscape.

These multifaceted efforts were undertaken with a singular aim: to gather valuable insights that would profoundly inform and shape the trajectory of our project.

Ideation

In this pivotal stage, we harnessed the power of Sitemaps and Breadboards, meticulously crafted Personas, User Stories, and User Flows, and devised a comprehensive Brand Strategy. These strategic endeavors were undertaken with a clear mission: to propose innovative solutions and crystallize the central idea that would drive our project forward.

Implementation

In this critical phase of our project, we harnessed the creative power of Low-Fidelity Wireframes to sketch out our ideas, transformed them into a compelling and interactive High-Fidelity Prototype, and put it to the test through a thorough Usability Test.

These strategic phases were instrumental in both shaping our proposed solution and subjecting it to real-world user feedback, ensuring it aligns with user needs and expectations.

Stakeholder Interview

In the interviews, valuable insights were gathered. Regarding the brand, stakeholders expressed a compelling vision of showcasing Portuguese products with an appealing aesthetic to a global audience. They emphasized that this endeavor wasn't just a good idea; it was a pressing need for several Portuguese brands and products.

These entities possessed exceptional designs but were somewhat overlooked both nationally and internationally. As for the project's goals, the aim was clear: to establish a sense of community, fostering a strong bond between users and brands. This overarching vision served as a guiding principle in shaping the proposed solution.

User Research

During the research phase, we conducted a total of four qualitative interviews and received a substantial response of 66 participants through the Instagram survey. The research conclusions revealed several common themes that emerged from both the interviews and survey data.

One central theme was the paramount significance of aesthetic appeal and post consistency in Instagram content.

Additionally, a shared desire among respondents was to gain deeper insights into the context surrounding the curated brands and products.

Furthermore, all interviewees expressed a strong belief in the importance of active communication and interaction between the page and its followers.

They held the expectation that ThePortugueseList would foster such engagement, which was a recurring sentiment in both our interviews and survey responses. These insights served as a valuable foundation for shaping the project's direction.

Competitive Analysis

Most of the ThePortugueseList competitors are indirect competitors. Some of the brands analyzed were Please., Loja do Azulejo,Bisarro Ceramics and Coffeepaste.
The first two use a more contextual and historical approach when guiding the users into their e-commerce platform.
The last two use interaction as a way to be more humane in their approach.

Sitemap

At the core of ThePortugueseList brand lies a profound commitment to inspiring its followers with the carefully curated brands and products.

With this core value in mind, our development process for two iterations of the sitemap prioritized the creation of a captivating Homescreen structure.

This design aimed to not only inspire users but also encourage them to delve deeper into discovering the exceptional brands, products, and designers showcased.

In addition to the Homescreen, we defined two other pivotal pages: the Search and the Activity Page, carefully crafting each to align with the brand's mission.

To rigorously assess the functionality of this structural design, we conducted two comprehensive sitemap Tree Tests, ensuring that our user experience design seamlessly translated the brand's ethos into an engaging and user-friendly digital environment.

Brand Strategy

In crafting the brand strategy for ThePortugueseList, our primary objective was to seamlessly weave the essence of Portuguese culture into every visual aspect of the project.

We recognized that the brand's success hinged on its ability to evoke a deep sense of connection to Portugal's rich heritage.

To achieve this, we meticulously selected colors and visual elements deeply rooted in Portuguese tradition. For instance, we drew inspiration from the rustic and natural beauty of cork, a material synonymous with Portugal.

This earthy and warm color palette not only paid homage to Portugal's cork industry but also exuded a welcoming and authentic ambiance.

Furthermore, we incorporated the regal allure of gold, reminiscent of the navigational instrument known as the Nonio.

This choice not only added a touch of opulence to the brand but also symbolized Portugal's historic significance in exploration and navigation.In our brand strategy, we aimed to create visuals that would not only capture the eye but also stir emotions, instilling a profound sense of appreciation for Portuguese culture. Each color, element, and design choice was thoughtfully curated to resonate with the brand's core mission: to inspire followers with the beauty and cultural richness of Portugal.

Ultimately, the brand strategy sought to transcend mere aesthetics, serving as a conduit for users to embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Portuguese culture.

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

The initial phase of the implementation stage involved the creation of a low-fidelity prototype.

Drawing upon the wealth of information amassed during the inspiration and ideation phases, we crafted a rudimentary version of the app.

This low-fidelity prototype not only served as a foundational blueprint but also doubled as a valuable tool for conducting usability testing, allowing us to fine-tune the user experience.

High-Fidelity Prototype

The culminating phase of this Case Study entailed the development of the high-fidelity prototype.

This advanced prototype seamlessly integrated the refined style, user insights, and meticulously implemented accessibility options, culminating in a polished and comprehensive representation of our design vision.

Accessibility

In the pursuit of creating a more inclusive and user-friendly platform, we incorporated innovative accessibility solutions.

One such solution is 'Bionic Reading,' a groundbreaking concept developed by Renato Casutt.

This feature is designed to enhance the reading experience by strategically highlighting the initial letters of each word in a lengthy text. This thoughtful design choice enables users to read more fluently and attentively, making it particularly beneficial for individuals on the autism spectrum or those with ADHD. 'Bionic Reading' transforms the act of reading into a more accessible and engaging experience for all.

Recognizing the importance of prolonged user engagement and mindful of contemporary design trends, we also introduced both Dark and Light modes to our prototype.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these modes serve a critical functional purpose, allowing users to adapt the app's interface to varying light conditions.

Whether users are consuming content during the day or in low-light environments, the Dark and Light modes enhance usability, reduce eye strain, and contribute to an overall more comfortable and accessible user experience.

VR Experience

The Digital Solution developed in this case study has a VR/AR Implementation feature. For that reason it was developed one Virtual Reality Experience.

The idea was the creation of two VR environments where the user could see, hear and experience the essence of the Portuguese culture.

Using nature sounds, Portuguese music like Fado and Cante Alentejano and portuguese history it was created two experiences, Alentejo, representing the countryside of Portugal and the Cork culture, and Descobrimentos, transporting the user to the portuguese Marine history, Caravelas and discovery of the Indian Sea route.

Conclusion: Usability Test

To end the Case Study, the last step was to design a usability test for the High-Fi Prototype.

The test tried to evaluate not only the difference between the Low-Fi and High Fidelity prototypes but also understand the usability of features like the search section and the accessibility options.

This last test was pretty successful.

The user found the app easy to use and understand, with a bold but minimalistic style. For the user, the accessibility options were a plus.