Figma / Photoshop / Adobe Illustrator
User Interface Re-Design for the R2RS Android App - A B2B Wholesale Marketplace and Bidding Platform
Client/Firm
R2RS
Role
UI Designer
Duration
1 month
Tools Used
Photoshop, Illustrator,Figma
Overview
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Indian traders and retailers faced significant supply chain hurdles due to the shutdown. To address this pressing issue, R2RS (Retailers to Retailers) was devised as a pioneering solution aimed at facilitating buying/selling of product stock between retailers, empowering them with efficient tools for managing their stock and facilitate bulk orders, sell/bid on lots, and track statistics on their sales and purchases within the app.
During my time in the project, I collaborated closely with a multidisciplinary team to conceptualize and iteratively prototype the R2RS app re-design, striving to create a user-centric interface.
My Role
As a UI designer for R2RS, my responsibilities involved wireframing, prototyping, and refining the visual elements of the app. I worked alongside a lead designer, developer, and a team of product experts to go from a product idea to prototype
Timeline
The timeline for this work was 1 month
Problem Statement
How do we effectively re-design R2RS's UI to better empower Indian retailers to take control of their B2B sales/purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns?
Why is this a problem?
The supply chain disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge for Indian traders, impacting their ability to effectively move stock. It was such a time where no planning or forecast was reliable anymore. Many retailers had leftover stock which they could no longer sell, while many more were left dry with no stock due to the supply chain disruptions. Without a dedicated solution, traders were forced to rely on fragmented and inefficient trading processes, resulting in wasted time and resources.
R2RS sought to empower retailers to use the retailer-to-retailer/wholesaler-to-retailer model to fill in gaps in supply and demand, allowing users to sell and bid on lots within the platform as well as track their statistics in-app, providing them a streamlined and reliable platform for moving their stock while conducting business activities.
Research
Prior to initiating any design, I conducted preliminary research by engaging in discussions with the founders, having conversations with local retailers facing issues during the shutdown, and delving into secondary research through blogs and articles. This helped enhance my understanding of the target user and best practices in e-commerce design. Drawing from these, I arrived at a few key insights.
Key Insights
Key Insight #1
'Form follows function'. Prioritize a clean and intuitive interface that allows users to navigate the platform easily and perform tasks efficiently. Simplify complex processes such as bulk orders and bidding to streamline the user experience.
Key Insight #2
'More at a glance'. Incorporate visually appealing and informative data visualizations into the dashboard to help users track statistics on their sales and purchases effectively.
Key Insight #3
'Beginner-friendliness'. Analyze the platform's ability to engage users who are new to e-commerce platforms and guide them effectively
Design Process
The design of R2RS was guided by the goal of analysing what needed to be re-vamped in the existing app, and provide a user-friendly interface that prioritized functionality. We analysed user groups and based on that performed an UX audit to understand which aspects of the application needed to be re-designed. Wireframing and prototyping were essential stages in the design process, allowing us to iterate on design concepts and gather feedback from stakeholders.
Understanding User Groups
1
New Users (Retailers/Sellers)
These individuals would need to sign-up to the platform and submit their KYC details for verification. Once their profile is verified they will proceed to browse for products and check out their first purchase or list and push their first item for sale.
3
Returning Buyers/Bidders
Returning buyers are users who have previously made purchases on R2RS and are familiar with the platform. They might be returning to browse and search for specific items using filters or keywords, place orders, track the status of their orders and view order history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my involvement in the R2RS project as a UI designer allowed me to contribute to the development of a solution that addressed the pressing needs of Indian retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an incredible learning experience in collaboration just as much as design for me, working with a team over a long distance due to the shutdown.
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