BooTique

BooTique: Halloween Look Creator

Objective:
Provide users with a simple interface to select, visualize, and share their Halloween look by overlaying costumes, accessories, and backgrounds on their personal images.

Target Audience:
Individuals excited about Halloween who want to experiment with different costume looks before making a purchase or final decision.

The Genesis of the Idea

The inspiration for BooTique struck one Halloween when I noticed the chaos among my friends. They were all ordering outfits in bulk, only to spend an entire week trying them on and even returning several items because they didn’t quite fit or look as expected. This observation sparked the idea of a tool that could let users visualize their look before they commit. Imagine a solution where you could simply upload a picture, choose a costume overlay, add accessories, and set a spooky background—all in a few intuitive taps.

Prototype Link

Qualitative Research

To validate this idea, I conducted informal interviews and gathered insights from potential users. Here are a few of the sentiments I gathered:

  • User A: “I always end up frustrated trying on different costumes. A tool that lets me see myself in them before buying would save so much time and stress.”
  • User B: “It would be amazing if I could mix and match accessories with my costume in real-time. I often wish I could visualize what I’d look like before the actual day.”
  • User C: “Sometimes the return process after trying multiple outfits is such a hassle. I’d love a way to get a preview of how a costume really looks on me.”
  • User D: “A personalized look creator could really change how we shop for Halloween. It’s all about the fun and creativity of trying new things without the risk of a bad fit.”

These responses underscored the need for a tool that simplifies the decision-making process while adding a playful, interactive element to the shopping experience.

Quantitative Research

A survey was conducted with 200 participants in the target demographic. The findings revealed that:

  • 75% of respondents expressed frustration with the trial-and-error process of costume shopping.
  • 68% said they would be more likely to purchase a costume if they could see a preview of how it looked on them.
  • 82% were interested in a digital solution that allowed them to mix and match costume components (costumes, accessories, backgrounds).
  • 70% preferred a tool that integrates with social media for easy sharing and feedback from friends.

These statistics confirmed a strong market demand for an intuitive, AI-powered look creator.

User Journey Map

Below is an outline of the typical user journey with BooTique:

  1. Home Screen:
    • Action: User is greeted with a clean, festive interface featuring an option to upload an image or take a new one.
    • Emotion: Curious and excited.
  2. Upload Screen:
    • Action: User uploads a full-body photo and adjusts it to fit the app’s template.
    • Emotion: Engaged; starting to imagine the possibilities.
  3. Costume Selection:
    • Action: User browses through a curated gallery of Halloween costumes, selecting one that appeals to them.
    • Emotion: Creative and inspired.
  4. Accessory Addition:
    • Action: User selects from various accessories to enhance the chosen costume, adding personal flair.
    • Emotion: Empowered and playful.
  5. Background Selection:
    • Action: User picks from a range of spooky, themed backgrounds to complete the look.
    • Emotion: Immersed in the Halloween spirit.
  6. Final Visualization:
    • Action: The app overlays all selections onto the user’s photo, presenting a full preview of the final look. Options to save or share are provided.
    • Emotion: Satisfied, confident, and eager to share with friends.

Analysis of the User Journey Map

The mapped journey revealed several key insights:

  • Simplicity & Intuitiveness: Each step is designed to be straightforward, reducing the cognitive load on the user.
  • Engagement: The progressive build-up—from uploading a photo to final visualization—ensures continuous user engagement and emotional investment in the final look.
  • Pain Points Addressed: The lengthy, trial-and-error process of physical costume shopping is replaced by a quick digital solution, minimizing frustration and decision fatigue.
  • Shareability: The integrated save and share feature leverages social proof, enabling users to get feedback and amplify their excitement through social media.

How BooTique Simplifies the Journey with Gen AI

BooTique leverages generative AI to transform the user experience:

  • Personalized Overlays: Using AI, the system dynamically adjusts costume overlays to fit different body types and poses, ensuring a realistic preview every time.
  • Adaptive Accessory Suggestions: AI algorithms analyze the uploaded image to recommend accessories that complement the user’s style and facial features.
  • Real-Time Background Integration: With the power of generative AI, users see seamless, real-time integration of Halloween-themed backgrounds that adapt to their image perspective.
  • Streamlined Decision Making: By reducing the time spent on physical try-ons and returns, BooTique empowers users to experiment and finalize their look quickly, making the overall experience enjoyable and efficient.

Conclusion

BooTique was born from a genuine need observed during a hectic Halloween season—a need for a more efficient, creative, and enjoyable way to prepare for the festivities. Through qualitative insights, survey research, and a well-mapped user journey, BooTique is positioned to revolutionize costume shopping. By harnessing the capabilities of generative AI, BooTique not only streamlines the process but also offers a personalized and engaging experience, ensuring users feel confident and excited about their Halloween look. I’m excited to further develop this UX case study and, at the same time, learn the ins and outs of app creation to bring BooTique to life.