KiddoKind
KiddoKind is a personal UX project for a responsive web platform inspired by the challenges parents face when buying and selling secondhand kids’ items. I wanted to create a platform that not only simplifies the resale process but also fosters a supportive community for parents to connect, share advice, and help each other navigate parenthood.
My Role
UI/UX Design
UX Researcher
Tools
Date
November 2024 (5 Weeks)
Introduction
As a personal fictional project, this platform was created to address the challenges busy parents face when buying and selling secondhand kid’s items. Many existing platforms aren’t tailored specifically to parents, making it harder to connect with others who share similar experiences. This New Zealand-based platform, inspired by real-world needs, simplifies the process of buying and selling secondhand kid’s items while providing a space for parents to share advice, tips, and offer support.
Problems
Parents often struggle to find a convenient and reliable way to buy and sell secondhand kid’s items. Existing marketplaces aren’t tailored to their needs, and many parents also wish for a space to exchange parenting experiences and advice. Without a dedicated platform, managing these needs can feel overwhelming.
Solution
- Seamless Buying & Selling – A user-friendly platform with smart search, quick and easy listings with automated suggestions, secure transactions.
- Parent Connection – A trusted space where parents can connect, share experiences, and offer support.
- Trust & Credibility – Verified profiles, ratings, and reviews work together to build trust and ensure a reliable experience for all users. support.
Project Goals
KiddoKind aims to create an intuitive, responsive platform that simplifies buying and selling secondhand kids’ items while fostering a supportive community for parents to connect, share advice, and access valuable resources. The platform focuses on building trust through ratings and reviews, enhances user experience across devices, and promotes sustainability by encouraging the reuse of kids’ items.
Design Process & Timeline
Week-1
Empathise
Survey
User interviews
Competitor Analysis
Week-2
Define
User Personas
User Journey Map
Problem Statement
Week-3
Ideate
User Flow
Storyboard
Week-4
Prototype
Wireframes
Visual Design
Prototype
Week-5
Test
Usability Testing
Survey Insights
Final UI Design
Empathise Phase
Before diving into solutions, I first needed to understand my users and their preferences, challenges, and shopping behaviours. To do this, I conducted a survey with 25 participants and in-depth interviews with five potential users to identify their needs and frustrations with secondhand shopping.
Survey
Interview
- Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your family?
- Where do you usually buy secondhand kids’ items?
- Have you ever sold secondhand kids’ items? If yes, what platform did you use?
- What are the biggest challenges you face when shopping for secondhand kids’ items?
- Are there any concerns that make you hesitant to buy secondhand items?
- What features would make buying and selling secondhand kids’ items easier for you?
- What payment methods do you prefer when buying secondhand items?
- What would make you trust a secondhand marketplace more?
- Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experiences with secondhand shopping?
User Pain Point
- The buying and selling process feels too complicated.
- Reaching out to buyers or sellers is difficult.
- Not sure if the item is in good condition.
- It’s hard to trust sellers when there aren’t enough reliable reviews.
Competitors Analysis
Key Insights :
Through surveys, interviews, and competitor analysis, I identified key user needs and pain points for secondhand kid’s item platforms:
- Trust & Safety – Users struggle with unreliable sellers and lack of item quality assurance, highlighting the need for ratings and buyer protection.
- Search & Navigation Issues – Cluttered interfaces make finding specific items time-consuming.
- Communication Barriers – No direct in-app messaging results in slow responses and unclear availability.
- Limited Payment & Delivery Options – Users prefer flexible payment methods and a mix of shipping and local pick-up.
- Wishlist & Notifications – Many platforms lack features for saving favourite items.
- No Reviews or Feedback – Platforms often lack user reviews, making it difficult to assess the reliability of sellers.
- No Community Sharing – There’s no platform for parents to share tips, news, or connect over their secondhand shopping experiences.
These insights reveal opportunities to design a more user-friendly, efficient, and community-driven secondhand marketplace.
Define Phase
Personas
Problem Statement :
Emma is a busy mom who needs an easy, secure way to buy and sell secondhand items for her kids because her tight schedule leaves little time for complicated processes, and she values eco-friendly options.
Lily is an expecting mother who needs affordable, reliable secondhand baby items because she wants to stay within her budget and reduce waste.
Hypothesis Statement :
- If the KiddoKind platform provides a quick, easy, and secure way to buy and sell secondhand kids’ items, parents like Emma will find it more convenient and trustworthy. Effectiveness can be measured through user engagement and satisfaction.
- If the KiddoKind platform offers reliable reviews, clear product details, and quality assurance, parents will have more confidence in buying secondhand kids’ items. Effectiveness can be measured through user feedback and engagement.
Goal statements :
- The KiddoKind platform will let users easily buy and sell secondhand kids’ items, which will affect busy parents by saving them time and effort through a simple process. Effectiveness will be measured by user feedback and engagement.
- The KiddoKind platform will provide reliable reviews and clear product details, which will help parents feel more confident when purchasing secondhand kids’ items. Effectiveness will be measured through user feedbackand engagement.
User Journey Map
Key Insights :
Buyer Key Insights:
- Trust and Transparency: Ensure product authenticity, clear descriptions, and trustworthy sellers.
- Seamless Experience: Prioritise user-friendly design, efficient search, and smooth checkout.
- Community Building: Foster a sense of community through social features and direct interactions.
Seller Key Insights:
- Simplified Login: A streamlined login process can reduce friction for new sellers.
- Smart Listing Suggestions: Auto-suggestions for categories, pricing, and tags based on item type can help sellers list faster and more accurately.
- Saved Drafts with Preview: Ability to save and return to unfinished listings — with a preview option — helps busy parents manage their time and see how their listing will appear before publishing.
Ideate Phase
User Flow
Storyboard
Prototype Phase
Sketches
I sketched five different home page concepts to explore various design possibilities. After evaluating each, I combined the most effective elements into a single cohesive design to create a more intuitive and engaging user experience.
Lo-Fi Wireframes
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Test Phase
User Pain Point
Implementing Feedback
Added a photo search feature to help users find items more quickly by searching with images, improving the overall search experience.
Added a video upload feature, enabling users to showcase their items with video, giving buyers a more detailed view.
Added more detailed in the listing options to let sellers provide all the necessary information, making the selling process smoother and easier for both sellers and buyers.
Included additional details and adjusted the layout to ensure all information is presented more clearly and is easier for users to navigate.
Added a ‘Find Similar Items’ feature to help users quickly and easily discover the items they’re looking for.
Added a “Similar Items You May Like” section to enhance product discovery, making it easier for users to find relevant secondhand kids’ items.
Added the “Community Meetups” section to let users organise or join events, helping parents connect, share insights, and build a supportive community.
To enhance the platform’s impact, I added a Donate section to help users easily pass on pre-loved kids’ items, promoting sustainability and community support.
Final Visual Design
Responsive Design
