Barter Out

 

00 My Role

I am a UX Designer for Barter Out, a startup created by students at the University of Rochester that provides a platform to make buying and selling second-hand textbooks easier. My primary role is conducting user research, creating wireframes and prototypes to work on improving the overall experience of using their platform.

01 The Problem

To re-design the platform such that it optimizes a user’s experience of using the platform - ensuring that both buyers and sellers are able to access relevant information easily.

 

02 What needs to change? Conducting User studies

To learn more about users’ experiences with the platform I am currently conducting user studies among two groups of users:

  • Existing users who have accounts on the platform and may have successful transactions. These users can talk towards their positive/negative experiences.

  • New users to interact with the site and perform a set number of tasks - during the time I am attempting to observe where the expectations vs reality of the platform do not synch up.

GROUP 1: EXISTING USERS

  • How was your experience buying/selling through Barter Out?

  • Was there any particular function that you wish was possible but you were unable to do it?

GROUP 2: NEW USERS

  • Ask Users to do following tasks

    • Sign In/Log In

    • Browse for a book they might need

    • Add their own book to the list

    • Delete the book from the list

    • Request an unavailable book

Note: If interested, I want to consider asking users to interact with the site for a week after the interview and log their experience or discuss the experience with me over a follow up interview.

 

03 What's Coming Next?

Through my user testing I want to further flesh out two things:

  • User Personas - what is a typical seller/buyer looking for?

  • Platform Pain Points - what are some areas where the platform is hindering user activity rather than facilitating it?

 

04 Got Feedback for Me?

Project in Progress: More to come soon!