Project Overview
This project explores the design of a mobile app that helps gamers browse and compare gaming accessories across platforms. While the broader app concept supports multiple accessory categories (keyboards, headsets, etc.), this project focuses in depth on console controllers to explore product discovery, detail exploration, and side-by-side comparison flows.
The primary goal was to reduce decision fatigue by providing clear product information, meaningful comparisons, and intuitive interaction patterns for evaluating similar products. I worked as the sole UX designer, responsible for research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping in Figma, and usability testing. The project was completed over approximately 5 weeks as part of the Google UX Design Professional Certificate.
Role: UX Designer (Solo Project)
Platform: Mobile (iOS & Android – conceptual)
Timeline: 5 weeks
Scope: The project focused on validating the core browsing and comparison flows for gaming controllers. Less common actions and edge cases were intentionally left out so I could focus more deeply on the main ways users browse and compare products.
GearUp
High-Fidelity Prototype Demonstration
Reflection & Learning
This project reinforced the importance of validating interaction assumptions early and refining flows based on user behavior rather than intent alone.
1. Clear Actions Matter More than Clever Visuals
Usability testing highlighted that visually subtle or symbolic interactions can easily be misinterpreted, even when they feel intuitive to the designer. Replacing an icon-only comparison action with a clearly labelled control significantly reduced hesitation and clarified next steps.
2. Comparison Is an Iterative, Not Linear, Task
Designing the comparison experience revealed that users rarely compare products in a single pass. Allowing quick adjustments reduced frustration and helped users feel more confident in their decisions.
3. Small Flow Refinements Can Have Outsized Impact
Introducing targeted interaction refinements, such as surfacing same-type products when adding to a comparison, demonstrated how small changes can meaningfully improve flow efficiency without requiring major structural redesigns.
4. Testing Early Helped Prevent Costly Rework
Conducting usability testing at the wireframe stage helped identify interaction issues before visual polish, making iteration faster and more focused. This reinforced the value of testing core flows early rather than relying on assumptions.
Next Steps & Opportunities for Improvement
If this project were continued beyond its current scope, the following areas would be prioritized to further improve usability, accessibility, and decision support.
1. Edge Cases & Error Handling
Future iterations would explore edge cases such as comparing incompatible product types, handling unavailable or out-of-stock items, and managing empty or partial comparison states. Clear system feedback and recovery paths would help prevent confusion and support smoother decision-making.
2. Accessibility Considerations
Additional accessibility work would include validating colour contrast, improving keyboard and screen reader support, and ensuring interactive elements have clear focus states and labels. Dense comparison views would be reviewed to ensure information remains perceivable and navigable for assistive technology users.
3. Expanded Comparison & Discovery Features
Future features could include more robust filtering and sorting options, saved comparisons, and personalized recommendations based on usage patterns. These enhancements would aim to reduce decision fatigue while preserving the simplicity of the core experience.
4. Metrics to Evaluate Success
If implemented in a production environment, success could be measured through metrics such as comparison completion rates, time to product selection, drop-off during evaluation flows, and frequency of comparison adjustments. Qualitative feedback from usability testing would continue to complement quantitative insights.
This project reflects my interest in designing intuitive interactions that make complex decisions feel simpler and more approachable.
Questions about this project? Feel free to contact me :)