Mobile app - Cigo
Industry
E-commerce
Client
Cigo
Service
Product Design
Date
2023
Cigo is a mobile application designed for cigar enthusiasts, offering a personalized and immersive experience in discovering, selecting, and tracking cigars. With a strong focus on user preferences, Cigo helps users explore cigars based on taste profiles, origins, and expert recommendations. The app integrates advanced scanning technology, social interactions, and a seamless purchasing experience, making it a go-to platform for both beginners and connoisseurs in the cigar world.
📌 Project Overview
The Cigo project aimed to create a sophisticated yet user-friendly mobile application tailored to the niche market of cigar lovers. The primary goal was to develop an intuitive platform that simplifies cigar selection through personalization and smart recommendations. The design process involved extensive research, iterative testing, and a focus on premium aesthetics that align with the luxurious nature of cigar culture.
🎯 Objectives
Develop a seamless onboarding experience that introduces users to cigar tasting and preferences.
Implement an AI-powered cigar scanning feature to identify cigars through image recognition.
Provide a personalized recommendation system based on user taste preferences and past selections.
Design an aesthetic and premium user interface that reflects the sophistication of the cigar industry.
Enhance user engagement through social features, allowing enthusiasts to share reviews, insights, and preferences.
Streamline the purchase process by integrating third-party cigar vendors.
👤 Role
As the Product Designer on this project, I was responsible for:
User Research & Competitive Analysis to understand market needs.
Wireframing & Prototyping to establish a smooth user journey.
UI Design & Branding, ensuring a cohesive and premium aesthetic.
User Testing & Iterations, refining the experience based on feedback.
Design System Creation, defining typography, color schemes, and interactive elements.
🛠️ Process & Methodology
🔎 Research & Discovery
To ensure a user-centric approach, I conducted extensive research, including:
Market analysis of existing cigar-related apps and platforms.
User interviews with seasoned cigar smokers and newcomers to understand pain points.
Competitive benchmarking to identify gaps and opportunities.
Defining user personas representing various levels of expertise in the cigar world.
🎨 Design Exploration & Prototyping
Based on research insights, the design process followed a structured approach:
1️⃣ Onboarding & Taste Profile Setup
Users are guided through an interactive onboarding process where they define their taste preferences by selecting preferred cigar modules, strength, and origin. The UI ensures clarity with Playfair Display Medium for headings and Lato for body text, ensuring a premium and readable interface.
2️⃣ Home & Personalized Recommendations
The home screen dynamically presents cigar suggestions based on the user's taste profile. Each cigar is displayed with a confidence score, indicating its relevance to the user’s preferences.
3️⃣ Cigar Scanning Feature
A key innovation in the app, users can scan a cigar using their camera, and the app identifies it, providing detailed product information, origin, price, and reviews.
4️⃣ Product Discovery & Filtering
Users can browse cigars through multiple filtering options, such as country of origin, format, and flavor notes. The discover section offers curated selections by experts, allowing users to explore beyond their usual preferences.
5️⃣ Cigar Detail Page & Pairing Suggestions
Each cigar has a detailed product page showcasing:
Flavor profile (e.g., coffee, wood, spice notes).
User & expert ratings.
Similar cigars & recommended pairings with beverages like whiskey and coffee.
6️⃣ Social Features & User Engagement
Cigo enhances engagement by introducing social elements:
User profiles, where enthusiasts track their cigars, preferences, and reviews.
Friends & activity feed, allowing users to see what their peers are smoking and recommending.
Review & rating system, fostering a community-driven platform.
7️⃣ Streamlined Purchase Integration
For users interested in buying cigars, Cigo integrates with third-party retailers, enabling a seamless purchase experiencewith price comparisons and availability checks.
🚀 Final Outcome & Impact
The final design of Cigo successfully combined elegance, usability, and personalization, positioning the app as a premium platform for cigar enthusiasts. Key achievements include:
A refined and cohesive user experience, blending aesthetics with functionality.
Advanced AI-driven features like cigar scanning and smart recommendations.
A seamless e-commerce integration, offering users a direct purchasing path.
A thriving social engagement aspect, enhancing the overall experience for cigar lovers.
Cigo’s design stands as a testament to how technology and user experience can elevate niche industries, creating a sophisticated yet accessible platform for a passionate community.
