Sept 2024 - Apr 2025
Paws & Play
Product Design
Product Design
User Research
User Research
Bookmaking
Bookmaking
A student's graduate project in collaboration with Katie Liu. I focus only on my contribution to the project. Katie worked on the onboarding and outreach systems of the project, such as the cat cafe and the website, whereas I worked on the branding and supplemental books of Paws N' Play. As such, I will only focus on those two aspects.
Paws N' Play's mission is to connect young families with a compatible, life-long cat, through hands-on, guided lessons and supplemental books. We hope to foster responsibility and trust when we teach children and caregivers alike to be pet parent-ready.
A student's graduate project in collaboration with Katie Liu. I focus only on my contribution to the project. Katie worked on the onboarding and outreach systems of the project, such as the cat cafe and the website, whereas I worked on the branding and supplemental books of Paws N' Play. As such, I will only focus on those two aspects.
Paws N' Play's mission is to connect young families with a compatible, life-long cat, through hands-on, guided lessons and supplemental books. We hope to foster responsibility and trust when we teach children and caregivers alike to be pet parent-ready.
A student's graduate project in collaboration with Katie Liu. I focus only on my contribution to the project. Katie worked on the onboarding and outreach systems of the project, such as the cat cafe and the website, whereas I worked on the branding and supplemental books of Paws N' Play. As such, I will only focus on those two aspects.
Paws N' Play's mission is to connect young families with a compatible, life-long cat, through hands-on, guided lessons and supplemental books. We hope to foster responsibility and trust when we teach children and caregivers alike to be pet parent-ready.
Services
Product Design
Branding
User Testing
Front-End Development
Services
Product Design
Branding
User Testing
Front-End Development
Services
Product Design
Branding
User Testing
Front-End Development
Tools
Figma
Clip Studio Paint
Textile + Needlework
Tools
Figma
Clip Studio Paint
Textile + Needlework
Tools
Figma
Clip Studio Paint
Textile + Needlework
Key Features
UX Research
Felt Work
Tails & Tales - Book Making
Key Features
UX Research
Felt Work
Tails & Tales - Book Making
Key Features
UX Research
Felt Work
Tails & Tales - Book Making
Client Feedback
Grad Project - Professor Barcham
Worked alongside Katie Liu.
Client Feedback
Grad Project - Professor Barcham
Worked alongside Katie Liu.
Client Feedback
Grad Project - Professor Barcham
Worked alongside Katie Liu.
The Design Process Timeline
Analysis
Analysis
Analysis
Low-Fidelity
Prototype
Low-Fidelity
Prototype
Low-Fidelity
Prototype
User Input
User Input
User Input
Mid-Fidelity
Prototype
Mid-Fidelity
Prototype
Mid-Fidelity
Prototype
User Input
User Input
User Input
Final
Deliverables
Final
Deliverables
Final
Deliverables
Feature 1
UX Research
The most important aspect of this project was understanding what users really wanted.
The Process:
Secondary Research
Design Brief
User Interview Questions
User Interviews With Families With Children and Pets
User Interviews With Families With Children and No Pets
User Testing Questions
User Testing + Feedback
Final Developments
Feature 1
UX Research
The most important aspect of this project was understanding what users really wanted.
The Process:
Secondary Research
Design Brief
User Interview Questions
User Interviews With Families With Children and Pets
User Interviews With Families With Children and No Pets
User Testing Questions
User Testing + Feedback
Final Developments
Feature 1
UX Research
The most important aspect of this project was understanding what users really wanted.
The Process:
Secondary Research
Design Brief
User Interview Questions
User Interviews With Families With Children and Pets
User Interviews With Families With Children and No Pets
User Testing Questions
User Testing + Feedback
Final Developments
Feature 2
Felt Work
I wanted the books to stand out visually, so I decided to use my previous knowledge of felt work to illustrate the books.
The Process:
Character Design
Low-Fid Storyboard
Mid-Fid Storyboard
Assets + Colours Finalized
Cut Felt
Assembled Felt
Scanned Felt
Final Illustrations
Feature 2
Felt Work
I wanted the books to stand out visually, so I decided to use my previous knowledge of felt work to illustrate the books.
The Process:
Character Design
Low-Fid Storyboard
Mid-Fid Storyboard
Assets + Colours Finalized
Cut Felt
Assembled Felt
Scanned Felt
Final Illustrations
Feature 2
Felt Work
I wanted the books to stand out visually, so I decided to use my previous knowledge of felt work to illustrate the books.
The Process:
Character Design
Low-Fid Storyboard
Mid-Fid Storyboard
Assets + Colours Finalized
Cut Felt
Assembled Felt
Scanned Felt
Final Illustrations
Feature 3
Book Making
A storybook series following a young girl named Ellie, and her family’s journey of becoming excellent cat owners. There are 4 books in the set:
For My Cat: Preliminary learning about cat-care
The First Meeting: Integrating a cat into the family and home
The Friend: Integrating a second cat
Ellie’s Goodbye: Dealing with the loss of a pet
The Process:
Script Writing
Character Design
Low-Fid Storyboard
User Testing
High-Fid Storyboard
Book Binding
Final Looks
Feature 3
Book Making
A storybook series following a young girl named Ellie, and her family’s journey of becoming excellent cat owners. There are 4 books in the set:
For My Cat: Preliminary learning about cat-care
The First Meeting: Integrating a cat into the family and home
The Friend: Integrating a second cat
Ellie’s Goodbye: Dealing with the loss of a pet
The Process:
Script Writing
Character Design
Low-Fid Storyboard
User Testing
High-Fid Storyboard
Book Binding
Final Looks
Feature 3
Book Making
A storybook series following a young girl named Ellie, and her family’s journey of becoming excellent cat owners. There are 4 books in the set:
For My Cat: Preliminary learning about cat-care
The First Meeting: Integrating a cat into the family and home
The Friend: Integrating a second cat
Ellie’s Goodbye: Dealing with the loss of a pet
The Process:
Script Writing
Character Design
Low-Fid Storyboard
User Testing
High-Fid Storyboard
Book Binding
Final Looks
Understanding the Challenges
Understanding the Challenges
Understanding the Challenges
Understanding exactly what the problem area was and how we could deliver something that hit those points was 90% of the project. We compiled our assumptions of the problem areas families face when raising children alongside pets. We already knew how many animals get rehomed or abused as a result of ignorance from both children and parents. This being our main concern, we turned to secondary research, wondering if children SHOULD be raised with animals. Those questions developed into how animals benefit children's developmental growth, and if children can learn empathy faster with an animal's presence. We learnt through this research that many families opt for dogs rather than cats due to the lack of information on the different pet care. As such, we later focused our mission solely on felines, as there are many more issues with these species and as the scope of the project would become too overwhelming if we were to try to help all pets.
Understanding exactly what the problem area was and how we could deliver something that hit those points was 90% of the project. We compiled our assumptions of the problem areas families face when raising children alongside pets. We already knew how many animals get rehomed or abused as a result of ignorance from both children and parents. This being our main concern, we turned to secondary research, wondering if children SHOULD be raised with animals. Those questions developed into how animals benefit children's developmental growth, and if children can learn empathy faster with an animal's presence. We learnt through this research that many families opt for dogs rather than cats due to the lack of information on the different pet care. As such, we later focused our mission solely on felines, as there are many more issues with these species and as the scope of the project would become too overwhelming if we were to try to help all pets.
Understanding exactly what the problem area was and how we could deliver something that hit those points was 90% of the project. We compiled our assumptions of the problem areas families face when raising children alongside pets. We already knew how many animals get rehomed or abused as a result of ignorance from both children and parents. This being our main concern, we turned to secondary research, wondering if children SHOULD be raised with animals. Those questions developed into how animals benefit children's developmental growth, and if children can learn empathy faster with an animal's presence. We learnt through this research that many families opt for dogs rather than cats due to the lack of information on the different pet care. As such, we later focused our mission solely on felines, as there are many more issues with these species and as the scope of the project would become too overwhelming if we were to try to help all pets.
Once we realized that there are ways children can become more informed, we conducted interviews with 3 user groups. 1st: families with small children 6+ with pets, families with small children 6+ without pets, and young adults who grew up with pets. We streamlined our research questions to pinpoint exactly what tools are available now, what tools users wish they could have, and what is most important when it comes to integrating a furry friend into the family.
Once we realized that there are ways children can become more informed, we conducted interviews with 3 user groups. 1st: families with small children 6+ with pets, families with small children 6+ without pets, and young adults who grew up with pets. We streamlined our research questions to pinpoint exactly what tools are available now, what tools users wish they could have, and what is most important when it comes to integrating a furry friend into the family.
Once we realized that there are ways children can become more informed, we conducted interviews with 3 user groups. 1st: families with small children 6+ with pets, families with small children 6+ without pets, and young adults who grew up with pets. We streamlined our research questions to pinpoint exactly what tools are available now, what tools users wish they could have, and what is most important when it comes to integrating a furry friend into the family.
From the initial interviews with 5 families, we determined a set of general wants, problems, and potential solutions.
The first is the issue of a lack of resources and learning materials for certain species. One interviewee said they liked visiting a bunny cafe, but wished they could learn more about the bunnies and their care. As Vancouver grows in popularity for animal cafes, so does people's interest in taking care of such animals. However, they lack the learning tools needed for users to fully commit.
The second is that some families expressed the desire for a pet that matched the family's lifestyle and personality. Another interviewee said that they liked how their breeder picked the perfect puppy for them based on their family.
Many of the parents who have both children and pet(s) grew up with pets of their own. This pre-existing knowledge of pet care made integration easier, and as a result, the children have begun taking on themselves chores for the pet(s). For all families, taking responsibility for a pet was the most important aspect that they taught their children. Even with the families who had children but no pets, they expressed that their children would need to help out with the pet if they had one.
From the initial interviews with 5 families, we determined a set of general wants, problems, and potential solutions.
The first is the issue of a lack of resources and learning materials for certain species. One interviewee said they liked visiting a bunny cafe, but wished they could learn more about the bunnies and their care. As Vancouver grows in popularity for animal cafes, so does people's interest in taking care of such animals. However, they lack the learning tools needed for users to fully commit.
The second is that some families expressed the desire for a pet that matched the family's lifestyle and personality. Another interviewee said that they liked how their breeder picked the perfect puppy for them based on their family.
Many of the parents who have both children and pet(s) grew up with pets of their own. This pre-existing knowledge of pet care made integration easier, and as a result, the children have begun taking on themselves chores for the pet(s). For all families, taking responsibility for a pet was the most important aspect that they taught their children. Even with the families who had children but no pets, they expressed that their children would need to help out with the pet if they had one.
From the initial interviews with 5 families, we determined a set of general wants, problems, and potential solutions.
The first is the issue of a lack of resources and learning materials for certain species. One interviewee said they liked visiting a bunny cafe, but wished they could learn more about the bunnies and their care. As Vancouver grows in popularity for animal cafes, so does people's interest in taking care of such animals. However, they lack the learning tools needed for users to fully commit.
The second is that some families expressed the desire for a pet that matched the family's lifestyle and personality. Another interviewee said that they liked how their breeder picked the perfect puppy for them based on their family.
Many of the parents who have both children and pet(s) grew up with pets of their own. This pre-existing knowledge of pet care made integration easier, and as a result, the children have begun taking on themselves chores for the pet(s). For all families, taking responsibility for a pet was the most important aspect that they taught their children. Even with the families who had children but no pets, they expressed that their children would need to help out with the pet if they had one.
Once we determined what exactly needed to be done, we created Paws N' Play, a cat cafe dedicated to matching cats to like-minded families. I was in charge of the supplementary learning material, and decided to focus on the younger users. We realized through our interviews and research that teaching children how to handle animals is an essential practice that not many teach before getting a pet. This leads to pet loss and general endangerment to animals. With pet loss, the issue of grief and teaching young children about death is a sensitive topic. Some feel it's not appropriate for a child to understand the concept of death, and rather tell white lies to appeal to a child. Others feel that when it comes to taking care of an animal, knowing about death is part of the responsibility a child needs to understand beforehand.
Once we determined what exactly needed to be done, we created Paws N' Play, a cat cafe dedicated to matching cats to like-minded families. I was in charge of the supplementary learning material, and decided to focus on the younger users. We realized through our interviews and research that teaching children how to handle animals is an essential practice that not many teach before getting a pet. This leads to pet loss and general endangerment to animals. With pet loss, the issue of grief and teaching young children about death is a sensitive topic. Some feel it's not appropriate for a child to understand the concept of death, and rather tell white lies to appeal to a child. Others feel that when it comes to taking care of an animal, knowing about death is part of the responsibility a child needs to understand beforehand.
Once we determined what exactly needed to be done, we created Paws N' Play, a cat cafe dedicated to matching cats to like-minded families. I was in charge of the supplementary learning material, and decided to focus on the younger users. We realized through our interviews and research that teaching children how to handle animals is an essential practice that not many teach before getting a pet. This leads to pet loss and general endangerment to animals. With pet loss, the issue of grief and teaching young children about death is a sensitive topic. Some feel it's not appropriate for a child to understand the concept of death, and rather tell white lies to appeal to a child. Others feel that when it comes to taking care of an animal, knowing about death is part of the responsibility a child needs to understand beforehand.
The Solutions
The Solutions
The Solutions
1) Encourage Learning - Even Difficult Lessons
After user testing all 4 books, we decided to keep the 4th book, which is on pet loss and grief. Many of our user testing participants stated that they wouldn’t want to be given the fourth book after adopting a cat, but all agreed that it was an important topic. All families agreed to read the book with their children, and although they were emotional, they thought that the book left no loose ends or questions about what happened to Shadow. Overall, they appreciated how straight to the point the book was while also providing ways to cope with grief. As a result, we decided to keep the 4th book as optional since parents might not want to have their children learning about such topics just yet.
1) Encourage Learning - Even Difficult Lessons
After user testing all 4 books, we decided to keep the 4th book, which is on pet loss and grief. Many of our user testing participants stated that they wouldn’t want to be given the fourth book after adopting a cat, but all agreed that it was an important topic. All families agreed to read the book with their children, and although they were emotional, they thought that the book left no loose ends or questions about what happened to Shadow. Overall, they appreciated how straight to the point the book was while also providing ways to cope with grief. As a result, we decided to keep the 4th book as optional since parents might not want to have their children learning about such topics just yet.
1) Encourage Learning - Even Difficult Lessons
After user testing all 4 books, we decided to keep the 4th book, which is on pet loss and grief. Many of our user testing participants stated that they wouldn’t want to be given the fourth book after adopting a cat, but all agreed that it was an important topic. All families agreed to read the book with their children, and although they were emotional, they thought that the book left no loose ends or questions about what happened to Shadow. Overall, they appreciated how straight to the point the book was while also providing ways to cope with grief. As a result, we decided to keep the 4th book as optional since parents might not want to have their children learning about such topics just yet.
2) Make Resources Interactive For Young Users
As much as the books have a nice storyline, the main objective of the books is to teach. So we decided to add an interactive element at the end of every book to, in a sense, test the child and to encourage learning.
2) Make Resources Interactive For Young Users
As much as the books have a nice storyline, the main objective of the books is to teach. So we decided to add an interactive element at the end of every book to, in a sense, test the child and to encourage learning.
2) Make Resources Interactive For Young Users
As much as the books have a nice storyline, the main objective of the books is to teach. So we decided to add an interactive element at the end of every book to, in a sense, test the child and to encourage learning.
3) Utilize Kid-Friendly Language
Researching more on kid-friendly language without sacrificing important information is a key detail that many users commented on. Since the books have a lot of dialogue, I changed the entire script from regular speech to rhyme. This helped the children be more focused when reading.
3) Utilize Kid-Friendly Language
Researching more on kid-friendly language without sacrificing important information is a key detail that many users commented on. Since the books have a lot of dialogue, I changed the entire script from regular speech to rhyme. This helped the children be more focused when reading.
3) Utilize Kid-Friendly Language
Researching more on kid-friendly language without sacrificing important information is a key detail that many users commented on. Since the books have a lot of dialogue, I changed the entire script from regular speech to rhyme. This helped the children be more focused when reading.
Results and Takeaways
Results and Takeaways
Results and Takeaways
This year-long project was such a joy to accomplish. After hand-making every aspect of the book series, I would leave the book-making to professionals from now on. Despite the challenges of the physical aspects of the project, I've learned time and time again how important user-testing and feedback are for these books. I'm confident that without the help and support from our community, this project would not have been as well-presented as it is now. This project has helped me grow my confidence in pitching new ideas and building an organization from the ground up. I hope to continue with this project in the future and continue creating for those who want to learn!
This year-long project was such a joy to accomplish. After hand-making every aspect of the book series, I would leave the book-making to professionals from now on. Despite the challenges of the physical aspects of the project, I've learned time and time again how important user-testing and feedback are for these books. I'm confident that without the help and support from our community, this project would not have been as well-presented as it is now. This project has helped me grow my confidence in pitching new ideas and building an organization from the ground up. I hope to continue with this project in the future and continue creating for those who want to learn!
This year-long project was such a joy to accomplish. After hand-making every aspect of the book series, I would leave the book-making to professionals from now on. Despite the challenges of the physical aspects of the project, I've learned time and time again how important user-testing and feedback are for these books. I'm confident that without the help and support from our community, this project would not have been as well-presented as it is now. This project has helped me grow my confidence in pitching new ideas and building an organization from the ground up. I hope to continue with this project in the future and continue creating for those who want to learn!