When I started this project, my goal was clear: to help dogs find loving homes and prevent mismatched adoptions.
Adopting a dog should be joyful, but it’s often stressful. Many platforms overlook the key question: Is this dog the right fit for my lifestyle? I wanted to create a platform that goes beyond appearances, helping people find a dog that truly fits their lives while ensuring every dog gets a loving family.
MEET LUNA
Luna is a 3-year-old black-colored bundle of joy with big, soulful eyes and a wagging tail that never stops. But her life hasn’t been easy. Abandoned as a puppy, she spent her early years in shelters, longing for a loving family.
Though she had plenty of admirers, the matches never worked out. Families would take her home, only to realize they weren’t prepared for her high energy and need for companionship. Each return broke Luna’s heart a little more.
Every year, thousands of dogs like Luna are returned to shelters - not because they aren’t lovable, but because their needs weren’t understood. and i want to change that.
USER RESEARCH
To conduct user research, I started by creating a survey and sending it to potential adopters. The goal was to understand their needs, fears, and motivations when it comes to adopting a dog. In this survey, I asked the following questions:
USER RESEARCH OVERVIEW
After talking to adopters, potential adopters, and shelter workers, one thing was clear: adopting a dog can feel overwhelming. People are scared of making the wrong choice and ending up with a dog that doesn’t fit their lifestyle. They want a dog that matches their energy, home, and family but don’t always get enough info to feel confident.
Shelter workers shared that many dogs are returned not because they’re “bad,” but because people didn’t know what to expect.
The takeaway? Adopters need support, better information, and tools to make the right match. That’s exactly what Amigo was built to do: help people feel prepared and confident, while giving every dog the chance to find their perfect home.
Frustrations
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Incomplete Profiles:
Most platforms only list basic details like size or age, leaving out important info like behavior, energy level, or compatibility with kids.
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Fear of Disappointment:
Maya worries about choosing the wrong dog, upsetting her kids, or needing to return the dog
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Overwhelming Process:
Cluttered, transactional platforms make it hard for Maya to emotionally connect with potential dogs.
"The last thing I want is to disappoint my kids or feel like we’re not ready for the responsibility."
MAYA AVRAHAM
Age: 34
Career: Elementary school teacher
Location: Rehovot | Private house with a yard
Family: Married + 2 (age 7 and 5)
why maya needs amigo?
Maya wants to adopt a dog that aligns with her family’s energy and lifestyle, but she feels uncertain about making the right choice due to the limited information and lack of personalized guidance on current adoption platforms.
why luna needs amigo?
Luna is a playful, high-energy dog who needed a family that could match her lifestyle. Traditional adoption platforms lack detailed matchmaking, leading to repeated mismatches and returns. Without a solution to ensure compatibility, Luna was left waiting for a home where she could truly thrive.
my suggested solutions
Based on Maya's persona and the challenges identified, I proposed a set of solutions designed to create a more personalized, supportive, and seamless dog adoption experience:
Personalized Quiz
A fun and easy quiz that allows adopters to share details about their lifestyle, and preferences. This helps Amigo understand what type of dog would be the best fit for their family.
Smart Matching System
Use quiz results to implement a smart algorithm that ranks dogs based on compatibility. This feature will prioritize matches that align with both the adopter's lifestyle and the dog's needs.
Guidance and Resources
Include a section with articles, videos, and checklists to help adopters prepare for the responsibilities of dog ownership. Topics could cover financial costs, home preparation, and tips for building trust with a new pet.
PAPER WIREFRAMES
Digital Wireframes
THE DESIGN
To address the issue of transparency for shoppers, I created two sets of icons. The first set appears on each product page, highlighting the sustainability practices supported by the item, such as the use of organic materials or fair labor. The second set is featured at the bottom of every page and reflects the product's price breakdown, detailing the costs of materials, hardware, labor, duties, and transportation. These icons ensure customers have a clear understanding of both the product's impact and its pricing.
NEWSLETTES
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