Step 1: Develop Ideas
I am passionate about the simplicity and elegance of Japanese minimalistic products, such as tableware and pottery, and want to share these beautiful items with others. Therefore, I am planning to create a website that offers a curated selection of these products, which would make perfect gifts for loved ones. To provide a unique experience for my customers, I want to enable them to customize their gift sets by selecting and pairing different products according to their preferences.
Step 2: Discovery & Research
I have a strong vision for my website's design - I want it to be minimalistic yet distinctive, setting it apart from other e-commerce sites. To make the user experience as smooth as possible, I aim to limit the number of clicks required to browse and customize products. Ideally, customers will be able to view, select, and customize products all on one page, creating a streamlined shopping experience. Due to the specific design vision I had in mind, I was unable to find an existing website that met my needs. The narrow scope of my requirements made it difficult to find an website that matched my desired aesthetic.
Step 3:Target Your Audience
My target audience consists of individuals who share an appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of Japanese minimalistic products, and who are seeking a unique and intricate gift for someone special. I believe that my website's offering of curated products and customizable gift sets will appeal to those who value both style and functionality in their purchases.
Step 4: Inspirations & Concepts
I draw inspiration from a website that a friend of mine designed, which I found to be exceptionally unique and intriguing. The design style and overall aesthetic of the website, which focuses on Ikebana - the Japanese art of flower arrangement - resonated with me. I particularly appreciated the approach my friend took in allowing users to customize flower arrangements for digital gift cards. I aim to create a similarly distinctive and enjoyable experience for customers visiting my website, while offering a curated selection of Japanese minimalistic products.
Step 5: Thumbnails and Sketches
Step 6: Wireframes & Prototypes
Photoshop Comp
