Further ASOS Research

In addition to J'nae having looked at the fashion side of thing, we had decided to set up a shared pinterest board where we pinned anything which we thought was suitable for the brief. I had compiled a fair amount of images relating to the responsibilities I had within the brief. 

Here are some of the images which I thought stood out to me:

This image above was one which me and J'nae found very interesting as the overall concept was very similar to the one for ours for the app we were going to be designing. The actual design of the app was very good as well and was very influential as to what the latest fashion apps are looking like.

Considering that we had finally decided what we were going to be designing these images were very influential when it came to design decisions as we wanted to make sure that the design of app was current and would appeal to the target audience and was in relation to things like pop culture and current design.

Here is a link to the board on Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/RineshMistry/asos/

Responsive Collaborative - Research into existing Apps

After the session with Fred me and J'nae had made an action plan and the first stage was to look into the primary research we had collected and existing apps which ASOS had and any competitors they have.

I started with the apps which ASOS had, we split up the 4 apps they had, I took the 'Whos going out app and ASOS Marketplace, whilst J'nae did the 'ASOS App' itself and 'ASOS Fashion Finder'.

ASOS Who's Going Out?

Pros:

• Introduces you and how to use the app
• matches music taste with events 
• shows where your mates are going
• information on events and venues
• things to know abouts each event (tips)
• line up information
• finds music taste depending on music in library on phone - very personal approach
• connects to social networks such as Facebook

Cons:

• needs to run using social networking/cannot run as a standalone app
• did not work very well first time round
• does not support IOS7 keyboard - not up to date with mobile operating systems
• did not end up working at all! - NEEDS SORTING OUT
• did not get info from social networks either
• No App for Ipad

Going out (Competitor)

Pros:

• shows events straight away
• location based events
• link to buy tickets
• simple but ergonomic approach to app
• links to website for event and managers via email
• brief information on event
• supports IOS7 features

Cons:

• no search feature
• only shows local events
• does not give information based on 

ASOS Marketplace

Pros:

• Shows brief introduction to app for new users
• sign up or sign in at start screen
• links to social networking for easy sign up
• links to paypal if you wanted to create a clothing line 

Cons:

• does not go straight to clothes
• signing up is time consuming
• does not give you option of simply browsing
• took a while to get to the actual clothes
• app is only for creating listing of clothes not for buying

I also had a look at some of the reviews of the apps which people had left on the app store for the apps:

ASOS Who's Going Out:

• one review stating it works well dated August 7 2013
• another review stating similar problems I had that it did not work if you didnt have facebook and simply did not show anything.

ASOS Marketplace:

• Many reviews on how the app is great for selling, 
• does not enable users to message buyers
• many error messages and bugs
• comments on ease of use from mobile devices when uploading photos
• lacking buying feature

All of the apps have different features which work well, but I think that ASOS would benefit from having a Marketplace app which people could buy off, and the whos going out app has a really good concept behind it but simply does not work and needs to be updated.

Collaborative Primary Research

After having decided on what brief me and J'nae were going to do, and after the session we had on it we decided to start researching into the brief. We figured that before we started any design based research we needed to know what the people who shop on ASOS actually wanted, as we thought that this was a key point in making sure whatever we created was relevant to the target audience.

We had decided to go into town on a saturday and collect some primary research, we had made some cards to give out which had a QR Code to the blog where they could give us any feedback on some ideas which we had came up with and also if they did not have time to speak to us at the time.

We were mainly asking questions which were initially being asked of us through the brief, we figured that this would be an interesting way to see what people who actually shop on ASOS want.

We also rang up and contacted people we knew who would be interested in this. 

After the saturday we realised that we needed to ask people who knew about fashion and had a decent idea of trends. We did get some interesting feedback.

We then went to collect some more on a wednesday in and around university campuses in Leeds. We did get a few good bits of feedback but realised that the reason why there was not a lot of people was because most students do not have anything scheduled on wednesdays, and the weather was not the best which probably contributed to the lack of people around. But we still had a decent amount of feedback to go off for the next Session we were to have on this brief.

Some of the questions we were asking were:

'What would you like to see from a New ASOS App?'

'What do you think are the next things in terms of fashion trends after street style?'

Some of the answers we got:

"Age 21: Current trends, Key Styles, 5 Ways to wear a ket item in your wardrobe, wide leg pants, type in a certain product that you like and to find a selection of places to buy it, I prefer digitally based things, dress codes for events, personalized, more clarity to the app.

Age 29: Upcoming designers, ones to watch out for, trend predictions, cool accessories, stylist or personal stylist, what not to wear or style warnings, fashion scope polls.

Age 23: I like print and web media, easy to navigate and to view your personal account. Recommended links and events, holidays, festivals, not massively interested in body shape chosen clothes. Mix and match outfit choices, scan in clothes - fit outfits with things you already have in your wardrobe.

Age 20: Customer goes on app and website, sign up, questionnaire on what you like and then Asos can gather the clothes / styles for you, summer and spring trends, pick images, Asos can see what you like and offer clothing you would like on your account, A tailer made / personal shopping experience.

Age 20: Liked the idea of events and outfits combined to work with a night out.

Age 24-26: Lifestyle, knitwear, country style and chords

Age 27: interesting idea

Age 22: Elaborate style tips, trend based categories, linking fashion with events like a date, lunch with family, night out with friends, interactive, styles you like, body and shape directed shows clothes that will not show what your conscious about.

Age 20: Celebrities have worn, whats on the  catwalk and asos’s equivalent

Age 20: Personalised to what you like, camo patterns, subtle colours.

Age 20: Latest trends, mood boards / look books on styles and outfits, PVC, organised what you wear, body shapes, hour glass ect. Clothes accessories, In my opinion street style will be around forever, don’t read any magazines.

Age 20: Combine all apps together to make it more user friendly

Age 21: Likes next day delivery, suggestion e.g. similar outfits, events, personal approach, body tyoe, sweet deal, celebrity styles, more simple items, river island, blazers

Age 23: Accessories, lacking male accessories, relates to fashion blogs, people, uploading looks, location based, gym gear, fitness, flourscent colours

Age 19: Creating an outfits for you, genre’s of clothing for certain types of people

Age 21: Offers, endorsements with insentives, folk / country wear.

Age 22: Combining, blog, user friendly"