Building the MVP was broken up into a few phases:

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• Category definition
• Wireframing
• Validation
• Component system
• Interface design
• More validation

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Category definition was the most intensive piece for the UX strategy. I had to work with the client to understand the print-on-demand industry better so that our order form would surface the logic behind possible printing combinations in an easily digestible format to users. In creating our quote system I had to balance user needs of simplicity and customizability and our stakeholder's desire to save time spent on manual business operations. Making sure categories were clearly defined helped create a funnel system for getting to the core of what a user was trying to order. For example, instead of giving users an overwhelming catalog of 800+ T-shirt brands, I broke down T-shirts into conditions including:

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• Neckline
• Material
• Sleeve length, and
• Hem

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In terms of interface design, I found a way to make pre-existing brand colors work in an accessible way despite limited accessible color combinations across neon green, white, black.

I mapped the product journey from user requirements for the MVP to feature roll outs for the following phases. When mapping out the product journey I considered the complexity of each feature as well as sequence. I wanted to ensure that we built foundational features first. I also sorted feature builds into three phases with three levels of priority based on value it would bring to the user. I did this for each phase to set us up for an Agile approach to building. Upon completing the roadmap, I met with our client to explain the reasoning for selecting each feature and how it translates to the bottom line.

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Key phases:

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• Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Basic order form - Account creation - Vendor interest collection
• Integrated Quote: Vendor storefronts - More seamless process
• Automated Process: Inventory and quote management - Logic-based matching

I used design principles and feedback to improve the user journey while designing the MVP screens. Some of the key choices I made include:

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• Utilizing a "pizza tracker" or "stepper" at the top to allow the user to know how far along they are in the order process. This keeps users focused and motivated to complete the process.
• Providing "info bubbles" on print methods that may be unfamiliar for the user. This keeps the user in the order form so that they do not need to go Google info that we could instead provide for them.
• Highlighting the area of focus and hiding elements that do not apply to the selections they've made. This eliminates confusion and guides the user's attention to where it needs to go.
• Building in logic based on conditions to contain and limit any potential user error. For example: only providing enough "file upload" slots for the number of print areas selected; not listing "print on sleeve" for tank tops, etc.

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