Passion Project

SPOTLESS AI

Passion Project

SPOTLESS AI

Passion Project

SPOTLESS AI

Role: Founder & Designer

Context: Skincare Platform

Duration: Jan 2023 - Feb 2024

Role: Founder & Designer

Context: Skincare Platform

Duration: Jan 2023 - Feb 2024

Role: Founder & Designer

Context: Skincare Platform

Duration: Jan 2023 - Feb 2024

My individual contribution

My individual contribution

I founded Spotless with Sneha Mishra and Renee Bhathal because of our shared passion for skincare and our mutual difficulty in finding the accurate products that target specific skin concerns and struggles. I managed the entire UI/UX for iOS. This project consisted of diving deeply into skin issues, user research, machine learning, marketing, iOS design guidelines, front-end development and usability testing. The majority of my time was spent on ideating with Sneha and Renee, the engineers, about potential features, focusing on building a minimum viable product for early adopters.

Research

Interaction design

Visual design & branding

Marketing

Product thinking

_____ CLIENT DETAILS

_____ CLIENT DETAILS

Understanding the idea.

About

Spotless is about unlocking the skin's best potential. Scan, analyze, and uncover your personalized skincare routine effortlessly. Personal product recommendations are made based on skin concerns using AI. Then create goals and unlock exciting rewards to keep the pathway to clear skin engaging and motivating. Join a thriving community, delve into expert insights, and hop on your journey to healthier, glowing skin. Skincare just got a whole lot easier!

Design Challange

How can we improve skincare guidance and product selection to help individuals better manage their skin conditions in the face of confusion, caused by misinformation and a lack of accessible resources?

Project tags

Skincare

Facial Analysis

Recommendations

Dermatology

Community

Download iOS App

Download Android App

Development is in progress

Download iOS App

Download Android App

Development is in progress

Download iOS App

Download Android App

Development is in progress

1

Product Manager

1

Product Designer

3

Software Engineers
(& skincare geeks 😆)
Software Engineers
(& skincare geeks 😆)
Software Engineers
(& skincare geeks 😆)

S.

01 /

01 /

CHAPTER

CHAPTER

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

_____ KEY OBSERVATIONS

_____ KEY OBSERVATIONS

Asking the right questions.

S

Research Goals

Initially, our own skincare challenges sparked the idea. Recognizing the need for a diverse perspective, we expanded our research beyond our age group. Skin concerns vary widely, and that motivated us to delve into the experiences of different persona types. This approach would inform the development of a more comprehensive skincare solution. Our research was focused on three distinct areas of inquiry:

Finding the product

Finding the right skincare products can be tough with so many options out there. It's hard to know which ones will actually work for your skin issues. Making sure you spend your time and money wisely requires a lot of research. Through our studies, we learned how important it is to understand how people go about choosing their skincare routines.

Applying the products

People have different approaches to applying skincare products, and our original concept for Spotless was solely as a product recommender. We needed to understand how people apply their products and the sequence they follow. However, we discovered that not everyone knows how to apply products in a correct manner, combined or separately.

Gathering the advice

Initially sparked by our own skincare challenges, we expanded our research to encompass diverse perspectives, and recognizing the wide array of skin concerns. Our focus went into understanding how individuals gather skincare advice, specifically among the large-scale of information online and the challenge of discerning credibility.

Finding the product

Finding the right skincare products can be tough with so many options out there. It's hard to know which ones will actually work for your skin issues. Making sure you spend your time and money wisely requires a lot of research. Through our studies, we learned how important it is to understand how people go about choosing their skincare routines.

Applying the products

People have different approaches to applying skincare products, and our original concept for Spotless was solely as a product recommender. We needed to understand how people apply their products and the sequence they follow. However, we discovered that not everyone knows how to apply products in a correct manner, combined or separately.

Gathering the advice

Initially sparked by our own skincare challenges, we expanded our research to encompass diverse perspectives, and recognizing the wide array of skin concerns. Our focus went into understanding how individuals gather skincare advice, specifically among the large-scale of information online and the challenge of discerning credibility.

Finding the product

Finding the right skincare products can be tough with so many options out there. It's hard to know which ones will actually work for your skin issues. Making sure you spend your time and money wisely requires a lot of research. Through our studies, we learned how important it is to understand how people go about choosing their skincare routines.

Applying the products

People have different approaches to applying skincare products, and our original concept for Spotless was solely as a product recommender. We needed to understand how people apply their products and the sequence they follow. However, we discovered that not everyone knows how to apply products in a correct manner, combined or separately.

Gathering the advice

Initially sparked by our own skincare challenges, we expanded our research to encompass diverse perspectives, and recognizing the wide array of skin concerns. Our focus went into understanding how individuals gather skincare advice, specifically among the large-scale of information online and the challenge of discerning credibility.

Question Areas

When doing user interviews, we began to identify a lot of patterns in people’s answers. We quickly realized that keeping questions vague was not the answer, so we decided to sit down and get focused about the problem areas that were related to finding and applying products, and gathering advice. Doing this helped frame the conversation when asking potential users how they went about finding skincare solutions.

How do you find skincare products for your concerns?

Where do you get skincare advice, and how do you verify its reliability?

Do you experience difficulty when applying for any chosen products?

What products do you use, and in what order do you apply them?

What influences your decision to try new products or routines?

How do you determine if a product is suitable for your skin type?

How do you find skincare products for your concerns?

Where do you get skincare advice, and how do you verify its reliability?

Do you experience difficulty when applying for any chosen products?

What products do you use, and in what order do you apply them?

What influences your decision to try new products or routines?

How do you determine if a product is suitable for your skin type?

How do you find skincare products for your concerns?

Where do you get skincare advice, and how do you verify its reliability?

Do you experience difficulty when applying for any chosen products?

What products do you use, and in what order do you apply them?

What influences your decision to try new products or routines?

How do you determine if a product is suitable for your skin type?

S

_____ VALIDATING ASSUMPTIONS

Key Findings & Results.

_____ VALIDATING ASSUMPTIONS

Key Findings & Results.

_____ VALIDATING ASSUMPTIONS

Key Findings & Results.

90%

Have trouble finding products

Most people have trouble finding suitable products that work for them, even after researching and patch testing.

75%

Can’t find credible sources

Unverified sources such as Youtube, Reddit, social media, and forums are the most common places people go to.

60%

Don’t know how to apply products

While some people follow the manufacturer's instructions or what they read online, most people still confuse themselves, even when it comes to the order of applying.

85%

Switch products if no results

Buying products that show no results or worsen the condition often end up being replaced. This cycle repeats itself, leading to wasted money and inefficient results.

_____ PERSONA DETAILS

_____ PERSONA DETAILS

Synthesizing user research.

Kristen Rose

Determined | Student | Planner

Age: 16

Occupation: Student

Status: Single

Location: Toronto, ON

“I'm all about simplicity. With school and everything, I need my skincare routine to be straightforward and effective, no fuss”

“I'm all about simplicity. With school and everything, I need my skincare routine to be straightforward and effective, no fuss”

“I'm all about simplicity. With school and everything, I need my skincare routine to be straightforward and effective, no fuss”

Pain Points:

Balancing school with a skincare routine and product research is frustrating, especially because of the ineffective solutions. I usually wear makeup to hide my acne, but it’s not a permanent fix.

Goals:

I would love to be able to find products quick and easily, that do the right job, without wasting too much time, so I can focus on other things, like school, and talk to others in the same position I am, about products and routines.

Sonia Verma

Practical | Owner | Caring

Age: 49

Occupation: Restaurant owner

Status: Married

Location: Ottawa, ON

“I'm always on the go, running the restaurant keeps me busy. I just grab products based on what I see on Facebook, hoping they work out.”

“I'm always on the go, running the restaurant keeps me busy. I just grab products based on what I see on Facebook, hoping they work out.”

Pain Points:

Pain Points:

Finding good skincare advice is tough. With the restaurant keeping me busy, I rely on what I see on Facebook to choose products. But none seem to help with my hyperpigmentation and fine lines.

Goals:

Goals:

It would be great to have a single reliable source, that’s quick and easy, where I could find skincare advice suited for my skin concerns and busy restaurant schedule.

Daniel Lewis

Detail-oriented | Manager | Coordinator

Detail-oriented | Manager | Coordinator

Age: 25

Occupation: Project Manager

Status: In a relationship

Location: Victoria, BC

“I'm always on the go, running the restaurant keeps me busy. I just grab products based on what I see on Facebook, hoping they work out.”

“I'm always on the go, running the restaurant keeps me busy. I just grab products based on what I see on Facebook, hoping they work out.”

Pain Points:

I struggle to navigate the overwhelming amount of information and conflicting advice about skincare. As a project manager, I'm used to organizing complex tasks, but when it comes to skincare, I feel lost in the sea of products.

Goals:

I aim to streamline my skincare routine to something simple and effective, that targets my hyperpigmentation, allowing me to focus on my career, and other activities.

_____ QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

_____ QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Feature prioritization.

MUST HAVE

High Impact

__ AI skin analysis

__ Survey questionnaire

__ Community chat posts and stories

__ Custom AM and PM skincare routine

__ Personalized articles & Quick Facts

__ Reminders for product application

__ How-to guides for using skincare products

__ Sun UV index information

EXPECTED

Low Impact

__ User profiles with skincare preferences

__ Skincare product ratings

__ Skincare routine history tracking

__ Product discounts and promotion

__ Skincare product ingredient analysis

__ Privacy settings

__ Likes

__ Comments

NICE TO HAVE

High Impact

__ Gamification elements

__ Goal setting

__ Discussion forums

__ Progress tracking

__ Interactive skincare tutorials

__ Skincare tips and recommendations

__ Dermatologists Consultations

__ Virtual assistant

UNEXPECTED

Low Impact

__ Following people on Spotless

__ Integration with wearable

__ Community chat posts and stories

__ Skincare influencer collaborations

__ Mini Quizzes

__ Events

__ Contests or competitions

__ Mental health guides

MUST HAVE

High Impact

__ AI skin analysis

__ Survey questionnaire

__ Community chat posts and stories

__ Custom AM and PM skincare routine

__ Personalized articles & Quick Facts

__ Reminders for product application

__ How-to guides for using skincare products

__ Sun UV index information

EXPECTED

Low Impact

__ User profiles with skincare preferences

__ Skincare product ratings

__ Skincare routine history tracking

__ Product discounts and promotion

__ Skincare product ingredient analysis

__ Privacy settings

__ Likes

__ Comments

NICE TO HAVE

High Impact

__ Gamification elements

__ Goal setting

__ Discussion forums

__ Progress tracking

__ Interactive skincare tutorials

__ Skincare tips and recommendations

__ Dermatologists Consultations

__ Virtual assistant

UNEXPECTED

Low Impact

__ Following people on Spotless

__ Integration with wearable

__ Community chat posts and stories

__ Skincare influencer collaborations

__ Mini Quizzes

__ Events

__ Contests or competitions

__ Mental health guides

MUST HAVE

High Impact

__ AI skin analysis

__ Survey questionnaire

__ Community chat posts and stories

__ Custom AM and PM skincare routine

__ Personalized articles & Quick Facts

__ Reminders for product application

__ How-to guides for using skincare products

__ Sun UV index information

EXPECTED

Low Impact

__ User profiles with skincare preferences

__ Skincare product ratings

__ Skincare routine history tracking

__ Product discounts and promotion

__ Skincare product ingredient analysis

__ Privacy settings

__ Likes

__ Comments

NICE TO HAVE

High Impact

__ Gamification elements

__ Goal setting

__ Discussion forums

__ Progress tracking

__ Interactive skincare tutorials

__ Skincare tips and recommendations

__ Dermatologists Consultations

__ Virtual assistant

UNEXPECTED

Low Impact

__ Following people on Spotless

__ Integration with wearable

__ Community chat posts and stories

__ Skincare influencer collaborations

__ Mini Quizzes

__ Events

__ Contests or competitions

__ Mental health guides

_____ COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

_____ COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Understanding the competition.

Understanding the competition.

Customized treatment kit

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Limited treatment and support options, expensive in long run.

Beauty community

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Absence of personalization, Korean based, unverified articles.

Personalized Product Line

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Limited manufacturer products, support absence, only for acne.

In-Store Derma Scanner

In-store facial scanner that analyzes skin issues.

No product recommendations, complex results, no context.

In-Store Derma Scanner

In-store facial scanner that analyzes skin issues.

No product recommendations, complex results, no context.

Decode Product Ingredients

Learn about ingredients and target attributes.

Limited product recommendation, articles, discussions, and support.

Jot Down Skin Progress

Journal skin progress daily with gamification.

No product recommendations, articles, discussions, or support.

Customized treatment kit

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Limited treatment and support options, expensive in long run.

Beauty community

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Absence of personalization, Korean based, unverified articles.

Personalized Product Line

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Limited manufacturer products, support absence, only for acne.

In-Store Derma Scanner

In-store facial scanner that analyzes skin issues.

No product recommendations, complex results, no context.

In-Store Derma Scanner

In-store facial scanner that analyzes skin issues.

No product recommendations, complex results, no context.

Decode Product Ingredients

Learn about ingredients and target attributes.

Limited product recommendation, articles, discussions, and support.

Jot Down Skin Progress

Journal skin progress daily with gamification.

No product recommendations, articles, discussions, or support.

Customized treatment kit

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Limited treatment and support options, expensive in long run.

Beauty community

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Absence of personalization, Korean based, unverified articles.

Personalized Product Line

Analyze skin and get a custom treatment kit from MD Acne.

Limited manufacturer products, support absence, only for acne.

In-Store Derma Scanner

In-store facial scanner that analyzes skin issues.

No product recommendations, complex results, no context.

In-Store Derma Scanner

In-store facial scanner that analyzes skin issues.

No product recommendations, complex results, no context.

Decode Product Ingredients

Learn about ingredients and target attributes.

Limited product recommendation, articles, discussions, and support.

Jot Down Skin Progress

Journal skin progress daily with gamification.

No product recommendations, articles, discussions, or support.

S.

02/

02/

CHAPTER

CHAPTER

INTERACTIONS

INTERACTIONS

_____ USER FLOW

Low-fidelity prototypes.

S.

03/

03/

CHAPTER

CHAPTER

EXECUTION

EXECUTION

_____ FINALIZED PRODUCT

_____ FINALIZED PRODUCT

High fidelity prototypes.

High fidelity prototypes.

Essentials at fingertips

Essentials at fingertips

On the iOS application, all the essential features are directly listed, from events, daily snapshot, reminders, and facts. Access the routine in one click.

AM & PM routines

AM & PM routines

Add AI recommended products, or manually search for them and build a routine. Find out how to apply them, reanalyze skin, and common mistakes to avoid.

View product information

View product information

Find the details about particular products like reviews, addressed concerns, compare products, and get a skin matching analysis.

PRODUTS 01

DISCOVER PRODUCTS

The products page of Spotless is a central hub for personalized skincare, where users can navigate through a selection of cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, masks, and more. It features personalized recommendations, driven by AI analysis of individual skin data, to guide users to the most suitable products. Additionally, the innovative barcode scanning tool allows for in-store product analysis, providing instant insights into ingredients and compatibility with the user's skin profile.

PRODUTS 01

DISCOVER PRODUCTS

The products page of Spotless is a central hub for personalized skincare, where users can navigate through a selection of cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, masks, and more. It features personalized recommendations, driven by AI analysis of individual skin data, to guide users to the most suitable products. Additionally, the innovative barcode scanning tool allows for in-store product analysis, providing instant insights into ingredients and compatibility with the user's skin profile.

PRODUTS 01

DISCOVER PRODUCTS

The products page of Spotless is a central hub for personalized skincare, where users can navigate through a selection of cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, masks, and more. It features personalized recommendations, driven by AI analysis of individual skin data, to guide users to the most suitable products. Additionally, the innovative barcode scanning tool allows for in-store product analysis, providing instant insights into ingredients and compatibility with the user's skin profile.

COMMUNITY 02

BECOME INFORMED

A dynamic space where users can deeply engage with the skincare community. It allows for product trading, enabling users to exchange skincare items with others. Participants can dive into discussions, sharing insights and seeking advice on various skincare topics. The platform also hosts product and video reviews, offering users a chance to see products in action and hear firsthand experiences. Additionally, users can like, comment on, and save posts for later viewing, fostering a dynamic interaction.

COMMUNITY 02

BECOME INFORMED

A dynamic space where users can deeply engage with the skincare community. It allows for product trading, enabling users to exchange skincare items with others. Participants can dive into discussions, sharing insights and seeking advice on various skincare topics. The platform also hosts product and video reviews, offering users a chance to see products in action and hear firsthand experiences. Additionally, users can like, comment on, and save posts for later viewing, fostering a dynamic interaction.

COMMUNITY 02

BECOME INFORMED

A dynamic space where users can deeply engage with the skincare community. It allows for product trading, enabling users to exchange skincare items with others. Participants can dive into discussions, sharing insights and seeking advice on various skincare topics. The platform also hosts product and video reviews, offering users a chance to see products in action and hear firsthand experiences. Additionally, users can like, comment on, and save posts for later viewing, fostering a dynamic interaction.

ARTICLES 03

GET EDUCATED

serves as a comprehensive resource for users seeking to deepen their skincare knowledge. It features top article picks, recommended reads, how-to guides, and sections dedicated to debunking product myths, all from reliable Spotless chosen sources. This page is designed to empower users with reliable information, helping them make informed decisions about their skincare routines. Users can engage with content by saving articles for later.
Serves as a comprehensive resource for users seeking to deepen their skincare knowledge. It features top article picks, recommended reads, how-to guides, and sections dedicated to debunking product myths, all from reliable Spotless chosen sources. This page is designed to empower users with reliable information, helping them make informed decisions about their skincare routines. Users can engage with content by saving articles for later.

_____ KEY FINDINGS

Measuring success.

"Working on Spotless reshaped my understanding of design's role in technology. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a connection between the product and our users. The true measure of our success lies in the seamless experience we provide", a testament to our team's shared dedication to making skincare accessible and personalized.

"Working on Spotless reshaped my understanding of design's role in technology. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a connection between the product and our users. The true measure of our success lies in the seamless experience we provide", a testament to our team's shared dedication to making skincare accessible and personalized.

"Working on Spotless reshaped my understanding of design's role in technology. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a connection between the product and our users. The true measure of our success lies in the seamless experience we provide", a testament to our team's shared dedication to making skincare accessible and personalized.

What we did well

Reflecting on our work, one of the things we did exceptionally well was maintaining a consistent and user-focused approach. Our team's dedication to understanding and solving real skincare concerns was evident in every aspect of the process. We stayed committed to our weekly goals, ensuring that every team member was accountable and motivated. This consistent effort allowed us to make significant progress and adapt quickly to user feedback, which was crucial for the development of a product that truly resonates with our audience.

What I would do differently

If I were to do things differently, I'd focus even more on early and frequent user testing. While we did engage with users, accelerating this feedback loop could have provided even richer insights, helping us iterate more effectively. Additionally, I'd allocate more time for learning and experimenting with AI, as this is a core part of our product and there's always more to discover in such a rapidly evolving field.

_____ OUR SUPPORTERS

Key Partnerships.

Spotless Algorithms. 60 Baffin Place, U5, Waterloo, ON N2V 1Z7.

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