TOOLS USED
DESIGN TIME
3 Weeks
Overview
Most people accumulate an abundance of camping equipment, tools, sporting gear, home decor, or office/cleaning equipment. However, they rarely use them. Keeping track of these infrequently used items is a considerable challenge, as well as finding a place to store them. For most people, the only option is to find space at home, which usually results in a cluttered. Or they choose to keep everything in a storage unit elsewhere, which is inconvenient and costly.
As a team, we wanted to define...
Research
Methods
SURVEY
MARKET RESEARCH
INTERVIEWS
MARKET RESEARCH
Our Team conducted market research for rental outdoor equipment and tools and found many outdoor equipment rental apps but no TOOL renting apps. There were options to rent from major hardware stores and purchase from local classifieds. That did not address the local renting tool needs.
We reached out to contact a few survey participants and asked them why they would choose a tool-renting app.
INTERVIEWS
SURVEY
Assumption
We expected a lifetime event such as weddings to have a bigger market need. We assumed that life events are usually one type of situation, and participants would want only to use or rent some of the items once.
Findings
Tools and outdoor equipment were more popular with our audience. Participants would prefer renting over purchasing.
IDEATION
Product Mapping
User Story map to address users' most critical needs. Additionally, we needed to determine which interaction would be most valuable for the initial launch. Initially, the team considered developing two separate apps, but we decided against it due to the possibility of owners also wanting to be renters. Toolio aims to be a comprehensive platform, serving as a one-stop shop. The app design was inspired by popular apps like Airbnb, Facebook Marketplace, and local classified platforms.
During our backlog discussion, we focus on a few questions to help us decide what makes it to the 1st quarter:
What does Toolio need to be an MVP?
Voting on MVP
Coast of making
How much time will it take to complete
PERSONA
"Tools you rent from hardware stores are worn out and expensive. It would be nice to have a place close by, affordable and convenient."
Renter
Personality
Outgoing
Organized
Thrifty
Motives
Savies
Security
Kerry
About
Kerry enjoys adding new DIY projects to her to-do list, but Kerry struggles to keep up with the lack of tools her and her wife have at home. She has tried renting tools from big chain companies in the past, but the experience has been frustrating due to issues and pushy salespeople. Kerry wants a simpler, safer, and more cost-effective solution for borrowing and returning tools, as she doesn't have much storage space and doesn't want to purchase tools outright.
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Can't take time away from her current project to figure out a complicated tool-renting service
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Avoid one-time purchases
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Feels like bad borrowing tools. Paying seems like a fair trade.
Goals
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Efficiency: Kerry wants to quickly access the tools she needs for her wife's DIY projects without wasting time searching or dealing with complicated processes.
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Convenience: She seeks a hassle-free tool borrowing and return experience that fits seamlessly into her busy schedule.
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Affordability: Kerry wants to save money by avoiding expensive tool purchases and wants to find a cost-effective solution for borrowing tools.
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Safety
Pain Point
PROTOTYPES
Inventory, pending orders, and rented items for the owner dashboard. I recommend that we use both side navigation and bottom navigation. I suggested that the button navigation and image icon have a small pop-up with a number in it indicating several notifications. I also suggested having a toggle bar at the top of the dashboard, allowing users to switch between owner and renter.
Feedback From the team- much of the app's real estate. Once I built the number pop-up, it was too hard to see the number notifications on the app.
Dashboard
Feedback
Additional items that did not make it to the prototype:
1. A group member suggested that we have a map with tools for rent in nearby zip codes. If someone wants to help a friend or a family member find tools near their house. I suggested that the app use the GPS location to provide that information. Zipcode would just take up space.
2. Another team member suggested a map with tools near your zip code. I suggested we would not want users to know nearby tools' locations until the owner confirms the place and time. In my opinion, it was a safety concern.
AB testing users preferred pills as a filter to toggle. Toggle was the Winner.
Additional items that did not make it to the prototype:
1. A group member suggested that we have a map with tools for rent in nearby zip codes. If someone wants to help a friend or a family member find tools near their house. I suggested that the app use the GPS location to provide that information. Zipcode would just take up space.
2. Another team member suggested a map with tools near your zip code. I suggested we would not want users to know nearby tools' locations until the owner confirms the place and time. In my opinion, it was a safety concern.
Color Pallet
During prototype user testing, many users mentioned what color would make a significant difference when finding navigation or switching between profiles. As a team, we wanted to find two complementary colors. The original color pallet was changed to meet accessibility standards. Meanwhile, testing users followed W3C WAI standards.
Final Product
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Lessons Learned
When the app serves two personas like our app with owner and renter, it is ok to create two user stories. Having a user story map helps map out what they have in common.
The owner dashboard had a tooltip next to icons. We discovered that this is not a mobile standard during design concept research. It made sense because the icons are too small and could be easily overlooked or hard to select.
The navigation bar should stay consistent on each page. If the navigation bar consistently changes, users won't remember where all the navigation icons are. There would be too many clicks on their part, and they might get frustrated.
When it comes to accessibility, it's essential to use as much contrast in color as possible. Using testing tools for accessibility is more valuable than simply assuming something will work, in my opinion.
Project Objective
Creating a tool renting service that is affordable, convenient, and safe.
We wanted our app to provide a sense of community and an opportunity to get to know your neighbors. If someone is working on a DIY project, they can see what nearby neighbor is willing to rent out their tool. The renters and the owner can exchange tools and ideas.
"I have built up quite the collection of tools. I don't mind if my neighbors borrow them. As long as they are using them responsibly and they return it."
Owner
Personality
Friendly
Detailed
Crafty
Ali
Pain Point
Goals
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Help people with their projects
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Side income
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Upgrade tools from time to time
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Does not want tools to be misused, broken, or never returned.
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Would like tool renting to be worth his time and effort
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Has concerns about liability or being held accountable if the renter doesn't know how to use tools.
About
As a contractor, Ali has built up a large collection of tools that are not used much. He loves the idea of making a few extra bucks by renting his tools to people who would take care of them. In the past, he loaned his tools to friends and neighbors only to have them come back in poor condition or sometimes not all. He has worked hard to build his collection but also wants to help people in need.
Ali
