Discovering the Perfect Custom Sample Box with Innovative New Features

Ashley Morales
Bootcamp Sprint Design
5 min readApr 4, 2024

Introducing a diverse spectrum of consumers, ranging from beauty aficionados to digitally savvy young adults, busy professionals, fashion connoisseurs, and health-conscious individuals, all united by their shared pursuit of premium products tailored to their unique beauty and skincare preferences. We’ll explore the development of a new feature for the website aimed at enhancing the customer experience and meeting the evolving demands of our discerning clientele.

Sephora, Ipsy, and Ulta Beauty Competidor Analisis

Competitive Analisis: In the competitive beauty industry, Sephora, Ipsy, and Ulta Beauty stand out as major players, each offering unique strengths and catering to different market segments. Sephora impresses with its extensive selection of high-end and luxury beauty brands, coupled with innovative in-store and online shopping experiences through programs like the Beauty Insider rewards. On the other hand, Ipsy shines with its personalized subscription boxes and active engagement in online communities, providing affordable options for consumers seeking tailored beauty experiences. Meanwhile, Ulta Beauty boasts a wide range of products, including both high-end and drugstore brands, along with in-store services such as salon treatments and loyalty programs to add extra value. While Sephora leads in luxury and innovation, Ipsy appeals with the subscription box model, and Ulta Beauty provides a diverse range of options for different consumer preferences.

I was assigned the task of identifying a new feature to meet the needs of a specific user demographic. Through thorough research and analysis, I delved into understanding the target audience’s behaviors, preferences, and pain points. One prevalent issue I uncovered was the desire among users to have the opportunity to try out product samples tailored specifically to their individual tastes before committing to a purchase.

Problem: These users are often discerning consumers who value personalized experiences and are hesitant to invest in full-sized products without first ensuring compatibility with their preferences and needs.

🎢 User Journey Map 🎢

Consequently, there exists a gap in the market for a solution that addresses this need for personalized product sampling. One potential solution that emerged from this exploration is the concept of a custom sample box feature. This feature would allow users to curate a selection of product samples based on their preferences, enabling them to experiment with different products and formulations before making a purchase decision. By offering this tailored sampling experience, the platform can empower users to make more informed purchasing decisions and enhance their overall shopping experience.

Creating a user persona like Ana helps us better understand the needs, desires, and concerns of a specific user segment. This guides the design and development of products and services that meet user expectations and enhance the customer experience.

Image Resources from Sephora

Ana, a 28-year-old designer, is motivated to discover new beauty products and techniques that inspire her artistic approach.

Self-Expression: Ana views beauty as a form of self-expression, experimenting with different styles and colors to reflect her unique personality. While she enjoys trying new things, she worries about choosing products that may not suit her skin type or meet her expectations.

Accessibility to Samples: Ana feels frustrated when unable to try products before purchasing, desiring access to samples to ensure products fit her needs before committing to a full purchase.

Feelings: Ana experiences excitement when discovering new beauty products and trends at Sephora, but frustration arises when she cannot sample products before buying.

Goals: Ana’s primary goal is to find high-quality beauty products that suit her needs and complement her unique style, preferring reliable brands and products that allow experimentation without compromising quality.

In this project, I practiced using components on a separate page to implement them effectively. I analyzed how to utilize them and created the Mid Fi, which helped me further define what could be done.

Mid-Fi Designs

Afterwards, I decided to create the high-fidelity version with all the elements and learn to prototype them in a way that preserves the essence of what Sephora represents.

Hi Fi Mobile Design

After completing the project and presenting it, we were given the task of writing to each other as a group of students to provide constructive criticism and identify possible errors that can be addressed in the future.

Conclusion

I’m thrilled to have received such positive feedback on the project from many individuals. I feel very satisfied with the work done and the reception it has garnered. In the future, I plan to incorporate the constructive suggestions I received to further improve the project and my design skills. This dynamic of receiving feedback among us as a group of students has been incredibly enriching. It has allowed me to appreciate the various perspectives and approaches that exist in design, which is invaluable for professional growth. I’m eager to continue learning and growing in this field, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented and receptive team.

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Feel free to check the project: https://www.figma.com/proto/EQwu5Fxd5FCGNlMHYPwT89/Project-3-%7C-Ashley-Morales?page-id=918%3A4068&type=design&node-id=918-4070&viewport=1342%2C993%2C0.5&t=ZsYCpe1featXfDIz-1&scaling=scale-down&mode=design

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