happy party
8 min read

The solution to party supplies chaos: helping shoppers organize what they like and buy exactly what they need

Product Design
Mobile App
Website
Branding
Illustration

Users often feel overwhelmed when planning and shopping for party supplies. Many websites are cluttered, difficult to navigate, and can leave users feeling lost. There’s no app that elevates the experience beyond basic shopping or offers a personalized touch.

My goal was to address these issues by focusing on what competitors lacked: personalization and simplicity. I wanted to create a more enjoyable, stress-free shopping experience, where users can easily find what they need and feel like the app understands their preferences.

Timeline
Dec 2023 - March 2024
Role
UI/UX Designer, Illustrator
Tools
Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate
Project type
concept

Although this project was tailored for the Polish market, all content is presented in English for this case study.

The goal is to design a platform for seamless event planning and party supplies shopping experience

Discovering Uniqueness

Discovering unique selling points to set Happy Party apart from competitors. Identifying these opportunities enables the brand to market the platform as genuinely unique.

Establishing Consistency

It's crucial to develop a cohesive design system to ensure uniformity across all interfaces.

Striking the Right Balance

Crafting clean and accessible UI to display the vibrant product range while maintaining user-friendliness. Ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience for both web and app users.

research

User surveys helped to establish basic users’ needs

I conducted user surveys to gain insights into the preferences, pain points, and expectations of the target audience. I surveyed 10 individuals, diverse in age, occupation, and lifestyle.

80%

of respondents express a strong interest in personalized products.

70%

believe collaborative planning is valuable for shared events.

60%

express a desire for a feature allowing friends and family to contribute to party shopping.

90%

emphasize the importance of a streamlined checkout process.

problem statement

"Planning events and shopping for party supplies can get pretty overwhelming. There's so much stuff out there, and it's easy to feel lost.

I just want a platform that gets me. Something that makes the whole process enjoyable and tailored to what I like. Plus, it has to be easy to check out, and I want to know what's going on with my order every step of the way."

Designing started with sketches and simple flows to understand what should appear on key screens

main navigation (initial - final)
home screen (initial - final)
my party sets (initial - final)
initial profile personalization

Competition showing minimal effort in discovering users’ wants and needs

I dug deep into the competition. I wanted to see how other websites tackled user needs and improved the overall experience. I looked closely at things like design, features, and UX to get key insights that guided my design decisions.

100%

rely solely on website versions without any app features.

100%

don’t offer personalization options, only prioritizing sales over understanding their users.

80%

have inconvenient filtering functionalities, making it challenging to find the right items quickly.

90%

only offer a basic wishlist feature, lacking the ability to create collections or group liked items for users.

Opportunities became clear quite quickly - focus on what users need and stand out

Personalized experience

Making the brand the top choice for personalized party shopping. This not only customizes shopping but also strengthens the connection between brand and users.

User-friendly app

Launching a mobile app with personalized recommendations and handy event planning tools to set the brand apart in the market.
‍

Collaborative party sets

I can make wishlists easily accessible and add collaborative elements to foster a sense of community and shared celebration planning.

Robust Sorting Filters

Improving user navigation with a robust sorting filter system, making it super user-friendly with clear categories for quick filtering.

First things first: Task-oriented information architecture

Importance:
Critical

Getting lost in a maze of confusing categories can be a frustrating experience. At Happy Party, I approached information architecture, aiming for clear, straightforward paths that users can breeze through.

I simplified everything down to three main starting points, making it super easy for users to dive into the shop. By answering the key questions of What, How, and Why, I crafted a system that guides users to their party essentials with ease.

A

What do I need

for users with clear product needs, this section enables swift navigation while offering exploration of related subcategories.

Products

B

How should it look

for users with specific party styles or themes, this section presents matching options from the shop, aiding in inspiration and alternative discovery.

Style
Theme

C

Why am I doing it

for users planning specific occasions, this segment provides tailored product suggestions, ideal for inspiration and efficient party planning.

Event

Site Map was constructed accordingly, creating a logical network of connections between pages and categories

Great first impression: Engaging onboarding

Importance:
Critical

By merging the onboarding process with personalization options, I wanted to create a more engaging and tailored experience right from the start.

This approach allows users to not only create an account but also express their preferences and interests, shaping their journey within the app. By doing this I reduced the number of steps needed to access the app's core features.

Hover to see the flow
Initial Design
At first, I wanted to create a typical onboarding flow to introduce users to the app's features. Unfortunately I ended up overwhelming the interface with too many screens. I realized I needed to simplify things and make it easier for users to get to the home page.
Final Design
Reduced amount of  screens
Set a positive tone for the journey
Showcased brand care from the start
Questions focused on user's key requirements
Enhanced onboarding with personalized questions
Included only essential questions

Navigation:
Putting logical structure into practice with a dash of playful movement

Importance:
Critical

Effortless exploration within the app, courtesy of a well-structured information architecture infused with subtle animations, making the user journey both intuitive and engaging.

Motion

In Happy Party, motion is not just an embellishment but an integral part of the user journey. It transforms interactions into memorable experiences, fostering a sense of joy and engagement at every turn.

Hover to see the flow

Filters narrowing down the search as much as possible

Importance:
Critical

Creating a smooth search experience was key in designing the Happy Party app. I wanted users to easily find the perfect party supplies, whether they're searching for something specific or just browsing for ideas.

Loading Screen for Applied Filters
Intelligent Filters
From General to Specific
Predictive Search Suggestions
Hover to see the flow

User’s complete control at every step with basket and checkout

Importance:
Critical

My aim was to ensure that navigating the basket was effortless. I wanted users to be able to adjust or add items with ease.

By maintaining simplicity, clarity, and flexibility, my goal was to provide users with a feeling of control and assurance as they complete their purchases. Ultimately, I aimed to foster trust and long-term satisfaction among users.

Editable Items in Basket
Informative Feedback
Clear Progress Indicators
Guest Checkout Option
Flexible Payment Options
Hover to see the flow
Press to see the flow

Organize, share, celebrate: How Party Sets make party planning a team effort

Importance:
High

Party Sets function like an enhanced wishlist, making it simple to organize and share favorite items. I also added a collaboration mode, so users can invite friends and family to join in on Party Sets.

Parties are all about teamwork. I turned the platform into a social hub where users collaborate to plan their events, setting Happy Party apart in an industry that sometimes forgets the social aspect of planning.

Grouping liked items in collections
Collaborative Mode
Informative Feedback
Hover to see the flow

Every detail matters: Consistency across all screens

Though some screens may seem less visually engaging, I knew they are essential for providing users with a seamless and intuitive journey throughout the app.

I maintained consistency across all screens ensuring clarity and ease of navigation, reinforcing the brand's reliability and professionalism.

Visual identity: a burst of vibrancy, color, and joy, embodying brand’s mission to help people create unforgettable memories and celebrate every moment

The main challenge was to find a concept that would appeal to both the younger and the older customers. It was important to convey a sense of fun and joy without making the brand voice too childish.

I only briefly touch on this section here as I wanted to prioritize presenting the UX/UI aspects of the project.

summary

I faced some challenges

This app and website was my first UI/UX project. Taking on this as a newbie posed a bunch of challenges. Learning on the fly while diving into hands-on work meant facing lots of unknowns and making countless tweaks along the way.

But despite the initial bumps and feeling a bit overwhelmed at times, I stuck with it through the ups and downs. Overcoming personal and technical challenges, I ended up with a product I'm genuinely proud of.

Challenges Faced

Illustration Usage

I was eager to use illustrations throughout the project, but I quickly realized that each app flow had its own requirements. For instance, the checkout process called for a more straightforward approach, focusing on clarity rather than decoration.

Lack of Constraints

Having too much design freedom can be overwhelming. While it encouraged creativity, it also made it hard to keep the project focused and streamlined.

Visual Balance

The brand's vibrant personality was a key strength, but it was important to ensure that the design remained functional and didn't overwhelm the user with too much visual flair.

Solutions

Keep It Simple

Starting with clean, simple designs allowed me to highlight the important features when needed, making sure the user experience stayed intuitive and focused.

Set Boundaries

By setting limits and embracing imperfections, I was able to keep the project on track and make better decisions about when and where to push creative boundaries.

Find Balance

I found the middle ground between brand personality and functionality, ensuring that the app remained fun yet easy to use. Other platforms can showcase more playful elements, while the app stays user-friendly and efficient.

There are still things I'd want to  improve on...

Research

I relied on competitor analysis and user surveys to shape my design decisions, though my survey was limited to a small group of friends and family.

In the future, I aim to broaden my research to include a more diverse user base and more diverse research methods for deeper insights.

Unimplemented Ideas

Reflecting on the project, I see the potential for incorporating more advanced features, such as a AI Party Set Creator and public profiles.

These additions could transform Happy Party into a vibrant social hub for users to share and engage with their party ideas. Given more time, I would love to explore these possibilities further.

Microinteractions

I set strict time boundaries for myself, which limited my focus on them. Now, with my enhanced skills, I'm confident I could delve deeper into this aspect, enhancing the overall experience even more.

Testing

While I conducted usability testing to validate design choices, I realize the importance of more extensive testing, including A/B testing and user interviews.

Other projects

Thank you for your time

If you have any questions, thoughts, or want to know more about the process behind the project, I'd love to connect. Don't hesitate to reach out - I'd love to hear from you.