INDUSTRY:
UX UI
PROJECT TYPE:
APP DESIGN
DURATION:
8 WEEKS
ROLE:
PRODUCT DESIGNER
Printer App | UX UI
UX Research.
Project Overview
Printer is a mobile app that connects users with local printing services in one place.
The idea came from noticing how much time people lose walking from one shop to another just to compare prices or print small projects. The goal was to design a platform that makes that process faster, simpler, and more enjoyable.
Context & Opportunity
During the pandemic, digital services grew quickly in Argentina, but the printing industry remained mostly offline. Printer was created to close that gap — to make printing services as accessible and intuitive as ordering food or a ride.
The challenge was to design an app that works for two different users at once:
People who need printing services quickly.
Printing shops that want to manage orders more efficiently and reach new customers.
Research
To better understand users’ habits and frustrations around printing services, I conducted an online survey and informal interviews with people who regularly use printing shops.
Main insights:
Most participants said they still rely on in-person printing because online options are limited or confusing.
Many mentioned they waste time comparing prices between shops.
A majority wished there was a way to place orders directly from their phones and track them easily.
Overall, users wanted a service that felt reliable, transparent, and simple — one that saves time and brings local printing into the digital world.
Competitive Analysis
User Persona #1
Mariana, 23 — design student, Buenos Aires.
Mariana is a design student who prints class projects and freelance work regularly. She’s creative and organized, but often feels frustrated by how time-consuming and outdated local printing services are.
She prefers digital solutions that help her save time, manage her work from her phone, and support local businesses.
Her main pain point: wasting time visiting shops and waiting for responses.
Goals
Print quickly and reliably from nearby shops.
Manage everything digitally, from upload to delivery.
Reorder past projects in one tap.
Avoid hidden fees and surprises.
Motivations
Values time efficiency and control.
Feels confident using modern mobile tools.
Appreciates transparency and trust in local businesses.
Wants a smooth, stress-free experience.
Problem Statement
People need a simple and reliable way to find, compare, and order printing services without having to visit multiple shops, while ensuring that quality and communication are consistent.
Ideation
I started by mapping out the entire user flow — from search to checkout — and explored how both users (customers and shops) could interact through the same ecosystem.
The key questions guiding this phase were:
How can we make file uploads and orders effortless?
How can shops organize and track orders easily?
UX Design.
Prioritisation
Project Goals
While business objectives focused on simplifying the printing process and increasing app adoption among users, my design goal was to make the experience intuitive, fast, and visually engaging. I aimed to align both perspectives by streamlining the flow from file upload to checkout, ensuring clarity and minimal friction at every step.
Features Roadmap
The first iteration of features included user authentication, profile setup, and payment integration. Through refinement, I prioritised only essential MVP functionalities such as searching print shops, viewing offers, and managing profiles, while keeping “favourites” and “recommendations” as value-adding features for a future release.
Information Architecture
I developed a clear sitemap to define the app’s main navigation and hierarchy. The primary structure included Explore, Profile, Favourites, and Checkout, each representing a key user action.
Explore displays featured print shops, monthly offers, and new partners.
Profile allows users to edit contact and delivery details.
Favourites provides quick access to saved print shops and personalised recommendations.
Checkout summarises ongoing orders and enables checkout.
This architecture ensures quick navigation and consistent usability across the interface.
User Flows
Two main user flows were identified:
Browse and order a print job
Manage profile and saved print shops
These flows helped structure the experience around the most common goals, ensuring that users can complete an order within minimal steps and easily access key sections like saved favourites or their order history.
Task Flows
From the user flows, I detailed a main task flow focusing on the core journey:
Visit the homepage
Select a print shop
Choose material and paper weight
Confirm order details
Complete payment and receive confirmation
This structure reflects a clean, linear experience that guides users naturally through the process without unnecessary distractions.
UI Design.
Brand Identity
The logo and name Printer were designed to reflect the simplicity and functionality of the service. The mark combines a minimal printer icon with a warm gradient palette, conveying modernity and accessibility.
Typography choices — SF Pro Display in multiple weights — enhance readability and maintain a sleek, professional feel across screens.
The colour palette, combining vibrant pinks, oranges, and purples, helps create a sense of energy and creativity while standing out in a tech-oriented context.
UI Library Components
The design system was built around consistency and usability. The UI kit includes:
Primary and secondary buttons with high contrast and rounded corners
Interactive components such as filters, cards, and search bars
Custom icons aligned with the brand’s gradient style
Together, these elements form a cohesive and scalable design language that maintains visual harmony throughout the product.
Outcome
The final prototype delivered a seamless printing experience with clear visual hierarchy and efficient navigation. By focusing on a small but solid set of features, Printer successfully communicates its purpose: to simplify and modernise the way users connect with local print services through a friendly, dynamic, and reliable platform.
