To better understand the target audience for the pet adoption website, I conducted user interviews and developed empathy maps. Through this research, I identified a primary user group: single young professionals interested in adopting pets. These users not only sought adoption services but also expressed interest in post-adoption support, such as vet recommendations, dog-walking services, and other enhanced care options.

Key Constraints Identified:

• Time: Busy work schedules left many potential adopters concerned about being able to properly care for a pet. This created adoption hesitancy, highlighting the need for:

  • • Efficient browsing and scheduling flows

    • Visibility of time-saving services (like dog-walking or pet-sitting options)

• Cost: Budget concerns influenced adoption decisions and post-adoption service preferences.

• Locations: Accessibility varied, with users prioritizing nearby adoption centers and service providers.

My design process began with exploratory sketching of multiple desktop homepage layouts. After evaluating these concepts against user needs and technical constraints, I refined the composition by selecting the most effective:

• Clear pet browsing hierarchy

• Prominent appointment scheduling CTAs

• Integrated post-adoption service information

Recognizing the importance of cross-device usability, I then developed responsive adaptations of these core elements. This involved:

• Reorganizing content stacks for mobile flow

• Optimizing interactive elements for touch interfaces

• Maintaining visual consistency while adapting to smaller viewports

The iterative sketching process allowed me to validate layout concepts quickly before committing to higher-fidelity prototypes.

Transitioning to digital wireframes allowed me to refine the responsive layout and validate its impact on user experience. Key focus areas included:

• Strategic Placement: Optimizing visual hierarchy and call-to-action placement for intuitive navigation across devices

• Responsive Behavior: Ensuring critical elements (pet cards, scheduling CTAs, service links) maintained clarity and functionality at all breakpoints

• Consistent Impact: Preserving the design's emotional appeal while adapting to smaller screens through careful spacing and proportional scaling

This phase proved crucial in balancing aesthetic cohesion with practical usability, particularly when simplifying complex desktop interactions for mobile touch interfaces.

The final prototype delivers a contemporary, user-centered design system that fully realizes the responsive vision. Key achievements include:

Visual Design

• Modern aesthetic with accessible color palette and pet-friendly imagery

• Clean, distraction-free interface for browsing adoptable animals

• Consistent design language across all breakpoints

Enhanced Functionality

• Intuitive pet selection with smart filtering options

• Streamlined 3-step appointment flow with clear progress indicators

• Contextual presentation of post-adoption services

Responsive Structure

• Pixel-perfect adaptation of all UI components

• Optimized touch targets for mobile interactions

• Performance-conscious asset loading strategies

View the PAWS Hi-Fi Prototype

User testing provided valuable insights that directly informed our design iterations from wireframes to high-fidelity mockups. The studies revealed two primary user needs beyond the core adoption flow:

Research Findings 1: 

• Enhanced Discovery & Alternative Support Options

• Users demanded a streamlined search with robust filtering (by pet type, size, temperament) to simplify pet matching

• Even non-adopters expressed strong interest in supporting the organization, with clear donation CTAs becoming a required feature

Research Finding 2: 

• Post-Adoption Ecosystem Integration

• Adopters consistently sought integrated access to care services (veterinarians, walkers, trainers) within the platform

• Surprisingly, users rejected registration walls – guest access was preferred for initial browsing and appointment setting

These findings led to strategic pivots including:

• Expansion of the filter system with smart defaults

• Persistent but unobtrusive donation opportunities

• Service provider partnerships showcased on pet profile pages

• Removal of mandatory account creation from primary flows

The PAWS pet adoption website project demonstrated how initial design concepts evolve through continuous refinement. Usability studies and peer feedback were instrumental in shaping each iteration of the interface.

Key outcomes of the final design include:

• Informed Decision-Making: Clear presentation of adoption requirements and pet details helps users feel confident in their choices

• User Empowerment: Intuitive controls allow seamless navigation from pet browsing to appointment scheduling

• Extended Support: Integrated post-adoption services (veterinary care, pet walking) ease the transition for new owners

A quote from peer feedback:

“The process is thoughtfully planned out and explained.”