- CLIENT: Molang Studios
- ROLE: Product Design
- Conceptual Design
- User Research
- Personas & User Flows
- Information Architecture
- Heuristic Assessment
- Wireframing
- Rapid Prototyping
- User Testing
- Style Guide & Hi-Fi Comps
- Rapid Prototyping
- Front End Development
- Delivery and Integration Support
When some clients from Molang approached me about a redesign for their phone app, I was a little taken aback. I have been focusing on large scale UI/UX design projects primarily for internal use.
However, this was an excellent opportunity to stretch my creative muscles and deliver in a Kawaii style that is so far from my own personally. I have found that being able to switch styles up is a much needed skill to really deliver on the clients vision of the project.
Designing
it Right
One area that I wanted to bring the app back to is back to a Kawaii style. After watching quite a lot of content of Molang with their show on Netflix, I was able to get an understanding of they styles that Molang is all about. Being very inclusive and friendly, I brought that forward with the designs both in terms of functionality and giving this app a bright friendly approach. Check out the show on Netflix!
Contrast
& Elevation
One area where I wanted to accentuate was to bring out the idea that there is depth and elevation in each of the pieces. For example, utilizing drop shadows and white throughout made it possible for a layered, almost paper look.
Search
Search was one area that I went with more of a forward thinking philosophy. I moved both the search bar and the menu icon down to the bottom of the screen. With some phones getting bigger and bigger, moving search to the bottom of the phone aligns with Fitt's Law where the function of the distance to the target is divided by the size of the target. In practical terms, it means that the right or left thumb for all users has quicker access to search, without stretching or requiring the use of another digit.
Chad Rawlinson
Product Designer
Molang Redesign
"This project was particularly rewarding precisely because it's so far outside my style. I lean more towards sci fi, dark backgrounds, technical drawings, sharp objects in relief. I don't usually do too much in a lighter, more fun style, but this was really interesting to stretch my style and deliver a product that not only looks sharp, but delivers on the cuteness that is Molang in a pleasing way. Loved working on this piece!"