ShopMate

Overview

Most shoppers want to save money, but:

• Prices change frequently, so information becomes outdated fast.
• Existing solutions mainly focus on big chains and often ignore local minimarkets.
• Even when data exists, users hesitate because they don’t know if it’s reliable.

Goals

Make basket-based comparison the default (not just item-by-item).

Expand coverage to small stores via community input.

Add credibility signals so users can trust the results.

Keep the experience lightweight and fast.

My Role

I led the end-to-end process: research → definition → flows → wireframes → UI → interactive prototype.
Tools: Figma (components + design system + prototyping).

Process

I framed the core job as: help users decide where to buy their basket now, without turning the experience into “research mode.”
This shifted the focus from “price browsing” to a clear primary action: Compare Basket.

2) Research (Qualitative + Competitive Review)

I ran short interviews and reviewed existing solutions (comparison tools, shopping list apps, community groups).
Key takeaways:

• People care about the total basket more than individual deals.
• Trust is a major blocker: users want to see when prices were updated and how many people confirmed them.
• Community contribution must be extremely low-effort, or it won’t happen.

3) IA & User Flows

I designed an MVP around four core actions:

1. Find an item (search / barcode scan)
2. Build a list (quantities, categories)
3. Compare basket across stores (ranked results)
4. Submit a price (fast, structured, verifiable)

4) Wireframes → Iteration

Wireframes helped validate clarity and speed:

• Reduce steps before reaching a meaningful result
• Make “submit price” feel optional but easy
• Ensure trust indicators are visible without adding clutter

5) UI & Design System

UI principles:

Reusable components (Product Card, Store Card, Price Chip, Trust Badge)

Fast readability (clear hierarchy, strong primary CTA)

Trust without heaviness (small, consistent credibility cues)

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Final Solution (MVP)

Smart Shopping List

Users add products quickly (search/barcode), adjust quantities, and keep a ready-to-compare basket.

Basket Comparison

A ranked store list shows:

• Total basket price
• Distance / travel time
• Last updated
• Verification count (and flags for suspicious reports)

Community Price Updates

A short flow to submit prices with optional proof (photo/receipt), timestamping, and community verification.