Lokl is your go-to companion for discovering and supporting homegrown businesses while travelling or in your home country.

Lokl is your go-to companion for discovering and supporting homegrown businesses while travelling or in your home country.

Lokl is your go-to companion for discovering and supporting homegrown businesses while travelling or in your home country.

Lokl is a revolutionary application crafted to foster a deeper connection between users and the diverse tapestry of local brands.

Lokl is a revolutionary application crafted to foster a deeper connection between users and the diverse tapestry of local brands.

Lokl is a revolutionary application crafted to foster a deeper connection between users and the diverse tapestry of local brands.

Project Overview

Lokl's primary objective is to create a seamless and engaging user experience, ensuring that users can effortlessly discover and support local brands. The app aims to bridge the gap between consumers and businesses, fostering a sense of community and pride in each city’s unique offerings.

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Discover over 100+ local brands and events!

Event Highlights

The Inspiration

The inspiration Lokl ignited during an evening stroll along the promenade in Cape Town when two German tourists expressed a desire to discover local brands beyond those available online.
They sought recommendations for authentic, local shopping experiences favoured by the residents. This conversation laid the foundation for the primary goal of creating a user-friendly and captivating platform that effortlessly links users with the diverse array of local businesses while travelling.

The Facts

4

Weeks

5

Interviews

12

Surveys

The Process

Empathise

Competitor Analysis

Survey

Interviews

Empathise

Competitor Analysis

Survey

Interviews

Define

Personas

User Stories

Tasks

Define

Personas

User Stories

Tasks

Ideate

Brainstorming

Sketching

IA

Ideate

Brainstorming

Sketching

IA

Design

UI Design

Prototypling

Design

UI Design

Prototypling

Competitor Analysis

Overview

A platform known for business reviews and ratings, including local establishments. Users can discover and review local businesses across various categories.

Indirect Competition

While not exclusively focused on local brand discovery, it competes for user attention in the local business exploration space.

Overview

A global e-commerce platform known for handmade, vintage, and unique items. While not location-specific, it competes for users looking for unique local products.

Indirect Competition

Attracts users interested in discovering and purchasing unique, locally crafted items.

Overview

Primarily a navigation app but includes features for discovering local businesses, reading reviews, and exploring nearby locations.

Indirect Competition

Offers local business discovery but may lack the specialized focus on community engagement.

Survey & In-depth Interviews

52%

Convenience influences decision making

45%

Preference for discounts as the primary incentive

68%

Preference for artisanal foods category

72%

Likelihood to share their discoveries

How do you prefer to discover and shop from local brands?

Online

In-Person

Both Online and In-Person

Jordan

I love exploring physical stores and feeling the products before I buy. It would be great if there was an app that tells me where these stores are located.

Alex

I often get overwhelmed by too many options online. I would prefer to get personalised recommendations based on my preferences, I would definitely use it!

Morgan

I enjoy attending local events and markets. An app that keeps me informed about upcoming events would be valuable.

Taylor

I appreciate brands with eco-friendly practices. Having a 'sustainability' filter would make my search easier.

Conclusion

The UX design process for Lokl began with comprehensive user research, revealing that users prioritise convenience, the ability to explore both online and physical stores, and a desire for personalised recommendations. The focus should be on offering a versatile, personalised, and community-driven platform for discovering and supporting local brands. Competitor analyses identified opportunities to consider, and the aim should be to differentiate Lokl by delivering a more tailored and engaging local discovery experience, using insights to refine features and address user needs effectively.

Personas & Empathy Maps

Riley

The Adventurous Shopper

Age:

30

Origin:

South Africa

Occupation:

Outdoor Activities Instructor

Behaviour and Preferences
  • In-Person Shopping Enthusiast.

  • Enjoys discovering and supporting local brands.

  • Proactive Information Seeker.

  • Tactile and Immersive Preference.

  • Firsthand Product Experience.

Motivations

Motivations



  • Desire to support local businesses.

  • Actively participates in local events and markets.

  • Contributor to Community Spirit.

  • Fulfilment in Tangible Connection.

Needs and Desires
  • Guides users like Riley to unique physical stores effortlessly.

  • Keeps Riley informed about upcoming opportunities for in-person exploration.

  • Ensures Riley stays in the loop for unique and timely shopping opportunities.

  • Enhances the in-person shopping adventure for a memorable experience.

Sebastian

Digital Marketing Specialist

Age:

28

Origin:

Berlin

Occupation:

Digital Marketing Specialist

Behaviour and Preferences
  • Preference for Online Shopping.

  • Digital Presence of Local Brands.

  • Prefers exploring local products through online platforms.

  • Actively Seeks Deals and Promotions.

Motivations

Motivations



  • Time efficiency and convenience of online shopping.

  • Exploring a Wide Range of Local Brands.

  • Value with Exclusive Online Deals.

  • Streamlined and Quick Digital Exploration.

Needs and Desires
  • Platform boasts a user-friendly interface for a seamless online exploration experience.

  • Offers personalised recommendations to enhance the user's online shopping journey.

  • Provides access to exclusive online deals and promotions from local brands, increasing the appeal of digital shopping.

  • Incorporates social sharing features to contribute to the online community.

Information Architecture

Wireframes

MVP

The chosen features for the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) are designed to provide a foundational yet valuable version of the product that meets the essential needs of users. This selection allows for a quicker and more cost-effective development process, focusing on core functionalities to validate the product concept, gather user feedback, and make informed decisions for future enhancements.

UI Design

Typography

Aa

Selecting Satoshi as the font for Lokl's UI design brings numerous advantages. With its clean and modern aesthetic, Satoshi ensures a visually appealing interface for the local store and events app. The font's focus on readability guarantees clear and comprehensible information presentation across various screen sizes. Its versatility allows for consistent usage in headers, body text, and buttons, contributing to a cohesive design. Additionally, Satoshi's global appeal and tech-friendly image align well with Lokl's mission, offering a distinctive and memorable touch that helps the app stand out in the digital landscape.

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Feel free to explore all Lokl's screens and check out the prototype here
Feel free to explore all Lokl's screens and check out the prototype here
Feel free to explore all Lokl's screens and check out the prototype here

Thank you for taking the time to read this case study. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Contact: sabrinaletnik@icloud.com

All materials in this case study are used for non-commercial purposes and belong to their authors and legal owners.

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