Pupwiz
Pupwiz
Building a mobile app for AI-powered
dog behaviour analysis through home cameras
Building a mobile app for AI-powered
dog behaviour analysis through home cameras
Building a mobile app for AI-powered dog behaviour analysis through home cameras
An app project built under the mentorship of Arnold Chow. Pupwiz helps dog owners keep an eye on their pets while they’re out, using AI to track behaviour and mood through live video, audio, and activity updates.
An app project built under the mentorship of Arnold Chow. Pupwiz helps dog owners keep an eye on their pets while they’re out, using AI to track behaviour and mood through live video, audio, and activity updates.
Team
Team
Mentored by Arnold Chow
@ Free Agency Creative
Mentored by Arnold Chow
@ Free Agency Creative
Mentored by Arnold Chow @ Free Agency Creative
Duration
Duration
6 weeks (Mar- Apr 2023)
6 weeks (Mar- Apr 2023)
My Role
My Role
User research, Branding, Wireframing,
UI Design, Prototyping
User research, Branding, Wireframing,
UI Design, Prototyping
User research, Branding, Wireframing, UI Design, Prototyping
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figma
Defining the Problem
PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Busy dog owners need a way to stay connected with their pets and ensure their well-being when they’re not at home.
Busy dog owners need a way to stay connected with their pets and ensure their well-being when they’re not at home.
Busy dog owners need a way to stay connected with their pets and ensure their well-being when they’re not at home.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Busy dog owners who work long hours or travel often
Busy dog owners who work long hours or travel often
Busy dog owners who work long hours or travel often
DESIGN OPPORTUNITY
Create a pet surveillance app that helps dog owners feel connected and reassured when they’re away from home.
Create a pet surveillance app that helps dog owners feel connected and reassured when they’re away from home.
Create a pet surveillance app that helps dog owners feel connected and reassured when they’re away from home.
Research
I conducted six interviews with dog parents to delve into the challenges and needs they face when leaving their pets at home.
I conducted six interviews with dog parents to delve into the challenges and needs they face when leaving their pets at home.
I conducted six interviews with dog parents to delve into the challenges and needs they face when leaving their pets at home.
With permission from their parents, meet the adorable fur babies!
With permission from their parents, meet the adorable fur babies!
I ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Their pet ownership experience
Pet care when away
Their worries and anxiety
Their experience with similar devices
Desired app features
Their pet ownership experience
Pet care when away
Their worries and anxiety
Their experience with similar devices
Desired app features
Here's what I found:
Here's what I found:
01
01
Being away is stressful for both dogs and their owners.
Being away is stressful for both dogs and their owners.
Most people leave their dogs alone for 1–8 hours a day. They prep food, toys, or adjust the space, but still feel uneasy.
Most people leave their dogs alone for 1–8 hours a day. They prep food, toys, or adjust the space, but still feel uneasy.
02
02
Owners want more than just a camera.
Owners want more than just a camera.
Owners want more than a camera view. Features like live video, two-way audio, noise alerts, and playback make them feel connected.
Owners want more than a camera view. Features like live video, two-way audio, noise alerts, and playback make them feel connected.
03
03
Existing apps often fall short in usability.
Existing apps often fall short in usability.
Clunky app designs were a common pain point. Messy layouts or confusing flows made quick check-ins harder than they needed to be.
Clunky app designs were a common pain point. Messy layouts or confusing flows made quick check-ins harder than they needed to be.
User Flow
User Flow
Market Analysis
To better understand the current landscape, I looked at three dog surveillance apps: Furbo, Dog Monitor, and Barkio.
To better understand the current landscape, I looked at three dog surveillance apps: Furbo, Dog Monitor, and Barkio.
WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR:
How each app helps owners monitor and connect with their dogs
What they do well
Where they fall short
How each app helps owners monitor and connect with their dogs
What they do well
Where they fall short
Here’s how Pupwiz compares:
Here’s how Pupwiz compares:
Visual Direction
This almost turned into a branding project…
This almost turned into a branding project…
This started as a branding-heavy project under the guidance of Arnold Chow (Art Director).
But with limited UX support, I had to:
Set boundaries when branding dragged on too long
Take initiative to push product design forward
Stay flexible and let the visual tone evolve alongside the UI
This started as a branding-heavy project under the guidance of Arnold Chow (Art Director).
But with limited UX support, I had to:
Set boundaries when branding dragged on too long
Take initiative to push product design forward
Stay flexible and let the visual tone evolve alongside the UI
Timeline breakdown
Timeline breakdown
UX Research (24%)
UX Research (24%)
Branding & Art Direction (37%)
Branding & Art Direction (37%)
Design & Prototype (31%)
Design & Prototype (31%)
Presentation (8%)
Presentation (8%)
Early branding explorations
Early branding explorations
Final Product
Onboarding
Onboarding
Sign up or log in
Add basic info about the user + dog
Connect existing pet cameras (or manually add others)
Sign up or log in
Add basic info about the user + dog
Connect existing pet cameras (or manually add others)
Home
Home
View live camera feed
Switch rooms or move the camera
Take screenshots, record video, or use two-way audio
Get quick AI-generated updates on the dog’s mood/activity
View live camera feed
Switch rooms or move the camera
Take screenshots, record video, or use two-way audio
Get quick AI-generated updates on the dog’s mood/activity
Activity & Smart Devices
Activity & Smart Devices
Swipe up for recent activity history and alerts
Control smart home devices (like feeders, thermostats)
Swipe up for recent activity history and alerts
Control smart home devices (like feeders, thermostats)
Takeaway
I learned to speak up and make decisions to keep things moving.
I learned to speak up and make decisions to keep things moving.
I learned to speak up and make decisions to keep things moving.
My first time working one-on-one with a mentor on a project
Learned to take initiative when mentorship leaned too heavily on branding
Practiced making decisions quickly and confidently
Realized the importance of balancing visuals with function
My first time working one-on-one with a mentor on a project
Learned to take initiative when mentorship leaned too heavily on branding
Practiced making decisions quickly and confidently
Realized the importance of balancing visuals with function
My first time working one-on-one with a mentor on a project
Learned to take initiative when mentorship leaned too heavily on branding
Practiced making decisions quickly and confidently
Realized the importance of balancing visuals with function
Next Steps
With more time, I’d focus on user testing and privacy concerns.
With more time, I’d focus on user testing and privacy concerns.
Run usability tests to validate flows
Improve underdeveloped screens like account + settings
Explore privacy and trust features (e.g., two-factor authentication, transparent recording settings)
Run usability tests to validate flows
Improve underdeveloped screens like account + settings
Explore privacy and trust features (e.g., two-factor authentication, transparent recording settings)
Next Project
Next Project
Next Project
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