Tag Archives: iteration

Winery App Prototype

Winery App UX prototype by Jennifer Blatz UX Designer
It’s never too late to revisit a project that you have put on hold for awhile. I am inspired to breathe new life in to my Winery App.

This was an old project that I have put on a virtual shelf for a few months. I think It’s time to revisit it and think about doing some user research to assess if there is a need for an app of this nature.

The Temecula Winery App came to me one time when I was wine tasting in the region. I wanted to know which wineries in the area had some of my favorite wines: merlot, viognier, maybe some zinfandel. Now, as a dog owner, I am interested in what wineries are pet friendly. Specifically, I would like to know which wineries allow dogs inside the tasting room, vs. which ones prefer that they stay outside.

When you are cruising through wine country, is not the time when you want to try to search several (often not updated) winery websites, looking for what wines they have for sale. And most of them (if any do) do not mention if they allow dogs.

So I thought this app might be helpful to people visiting the area. But even if I think it would be a good idea, I need to validate my idea with others. I need to do some user research and to see if others think their is a need for the winery app. This is an important step that too many startups, and founders to not take the time to do. They think their idea is in high demand because it’s their idea. Or they ask their friends and family, who ever so politely indulge them and say, “Yes that is a great idea.”

My goal is the next time I go to Temecula, I am going to talk to some other wine tasters and assess if there is even a need for an app like mine. I am sure after visiting a winery or two, approaching strangers and asking questions about this topic will only become easier. ha!

Creating Wireframes for Dashboard Development

Jennifer Blatz Design UX

 

Wireframes are not for everyone. I understand there might not be time to create wireframes. Some people don’t see the value of this middle step. “Just sketch out some ideas. Once you like something just code it up.” Others may not have it in the budget to create some deliverables.

Wireframes and deliverables by Jennifer Blatz UX
Wireframes can be created in a variety of programs. I chose Adobe Illustrator to create these first drafts of the dashboard.

I have to admit, I am guilty of not always creating wireframes. To me, they can be a luxury. There are times I don’t really have the time or the patience to go beyond sketches (if I have even created those) to going to the middle step of creating wireframes.

I strongly suggest that if you do have the time, and the budget, that you should make the effort to create some static wireframes. Here are a few advantages of creating wireframes:

  • Get the concepts out of your head and on to a page/layout
  • Visualize how your designs might work
  • Get early feedback on your designs before it goes in to code
  • Allow for quick changes before too committed to design
  • Facilitate discussion across the team and with stakeholders
  • Provides clarity for communication
  • For developers to understand the functionality of the site
  • To show the information architecture and navigation structure of websites
  • Cost-effective level of fidelity for quick changes
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