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MYSANRIOBOXES

An archive website for specialized figure collectors. The site allows users to maintain a digital and visual record of their collection as well as connect and interact with others in the community.

OVERVIEW

Sanrio blind boxes are various series of collectable figures based on characters from the Sanrio entertainment company. These figures are very popular, attracting a large global audience. However, there is currently no centralized online community for collectors. In this project, I am looking to design a site that can serve both as a way for fellow hobbyists to connect with one another and as a way for collectors to maintain a digital archive of their collections.

Duration

Sep 2023 – Oct 2023
(6 weeks)

Skills

UI/UX Design
User Testing
Prototyping

Class

Visual Principles for the Screen

(IF IMPLEMENTED)

RESULTS & IMPACT

(IF IMPLEMENTED)

  • Centralize the highly fragmented online retail market for blind boxes

  • Lower the barrier of entry for potential collectors 

  • Connect 10M+ Sanrio blind box collectors and streamline their collecting experience

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

HOMEPAGE AND ARCHIVING

BACKGROUND

Blind boxes are ​collections of small toys whose contents are randomized among a disclosed set. The blind box industry is a growing global market, estimated to reach USD 12.5 billion by 2027. Among the many types of blind box collectables, those of Sanrio franchise mascots (ex. Hello Kitty) are especially popular. Most blind box collectors seek community-related services through already existing resale sites such as EBay or Mercari. However, due to the extensive global nature of the market as well as a highly competitive online retail market, there has yet to be a centralized community website for blind box collectors that allows for collectors to maintain a digital record of their collections.

TARGET AUDIENCE

SITE FOCUS

DESIGN OBJECTIVES

Connection

Connect new and existing blind box collectors through a global community that meets user needs for interaction and networking.

Promotion

Promote current and upcoming blind box collections, providing collectors a centralized place to access all brands' blind box information.

Organization

Organize an extensive database of blind box figures, allowing users various ways to archive and maintain their individual

collections. 

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

WIREFRAME

DESIGN DECISIONS

1

Reference the bright color palette of the Sanrio mascots and franchise in the overall site design to ease new users into the site and clarify its niche.

3

Add community-centered features such as profile pages, posts, and listings for collectors looking to connect with others or sell/buy blind boxes.

2

Allow options for users to sort blind boxes by character and to add full sets and/or individual figures to their collections.

DESIGN ITERATION 1

INTERIOR PAGE ITERATIONS

BUTTON TREATMENT

ITERATION 1 USER TESTING

I conducted usability testing sessions with classmates, looking for areas of improvement pertaining to a clear and cohesive site identity as well as user-friendly interactions.

  • The carousel on the main page caused confusion about the purpose of the site, with some testers getting the impression that it was a shopping site. I decided to remove the carousel and replace it with community specific features.
     

  • Testers were unable to find the homepage button when it was denoted by a present icon, so I decided to change it to a house icon.

  • A common suggestion was more interactive elements. I added on-hover information to the most wishlisted section as well as the character sorting images.

  • The majority of testers favored the interior page design with a separate information section and more simple button styles. I implemented these features in my final design.

FINAL DESIGN

TAKEAWAYS

Through the process of this project, I realized that there are many elements of user interaction that are far more apparent to testers than the designer. Specifically, I was made aware of confusion regarding the site's intended purpose. While the site is supposed to be an archive for collectors to add and manage a digitized version of their items, many testers initially thought it was a shopping site, where visitors could actually buy the products. This discovery led me to alter elements of the site to clarify its purpose.

Value of user testing

Next steps

If I were to develop this project further, I would work on developing additional pages of the site such as 'Community' and 'My Profile.' I would also like to perform user testing on existing blind box collectors to see how the site serves its audience of individuals who are more familiar with the collection process. Eventually, I would like to see if the focus of the site could be expanded to include a wider range of blind boxes, as Sanrio figures cover only a small portion of the total market. How large can an online database get before it is too difficult to maintain? How might such an extensive archive be organized?

RESEARCH

FIELD RESEARCH

I explored other websites that aggregate and display information and images, paying attention to how they address navigation and organization, and how they cater to the various aspects of an online community.
 

  • Recent news on the main page

  • Multiple methods of filtering

  • Highly visible sign-up/login

  • Community features

  • Large emphasis on images​

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