Background

Loupe, an art streaming and marketplace company, approached us with a convoluted workflow that was holding back their operational efficiency. Their platform was functional but struggled with scalability, as the taxonomy for organizing artwork was overly complicated and their processes were fragmented across various tools. Our challenge was to bring clarity and create an MVP to serve as the foundation for future growth—all in a one-week design sprint.

Challenges

• ‍Convoluted Workflows: The existing task flow involved multiple tools like Google Forms and Dropbox, resulting in inefficiencies and a high level of manual effort.‍
• Undefined Taxonomy: All artwork attributes were crammed into a single, undifferentiated category, making tagging and curation cumbersome and error-prone.‍
• Ambitious Vision: The client had a broad vision with many potential features, and our challenge was to prioritize and create a foundation that could evolve into the longer-term vision.

Approach

Understanding the Landscape

• Mapping Current Processes: We began by mapping the current task flow to identify pain points. The exercise revealed numerous redundant steps, particularly when creating and managing playlists.
• Sprint Alignment: Collaborated with stakeholders to agree on the main focus areas for the sprint: simplifying the curation workflow and establishing a manageable taxonomy structure.

Design Sprint Execution

• Ideation & Voting: On Monday, the team conducted exercises to identify the core issues and individually brainstormed potential solutions. By mid-week, we voted on the most promising concepts and developed a detailed storyboard.
• High-Fidelity Prototype: By Thursday and Friday, we designed a high-fidelity prototype showcasing a simplified workflow where administrators could tag artwork, filter, and create collections. ‍
• Testing & Feedback: On Monday, we tested the prototype with end users, gathering valuable feedback that confirmed our approach was well-received and highlighted areas for further refinement. (Image: Overview of all screens in the prototype)

Defining Key Elements

• New Taxonomy: We introduced a new taxonomy that allowed administrators to tag and filter artwork more effectively, making the entire process far more intuitive and scalable.
• Optimized Workflow: Created a workflow that simplified curation by minimizing excess steps and allowing administrators to work directly within a streamlined tool, reducing the reliance on disparate platforms.

Outcomes

• Operational Efficiency: The new workflow allowed Loupe to move away from their fragmented process, significantly reducing the time it took for administrators to curate artwork.
• User Feedback: Testers praised the new tagging system and simplified playlist creation. The revised workflow not only improved efficiency but also improved the user experience for administrators.
• Clear Next Steps: Outlined recommendations for future improvements, such as defining clear distinctions between "Collections" and "Variations," completing the taxonomy structure, and running ongoing workshops to refine the process as the project evolves.
• Long-Term Vision Support: Set the foundation for Loupe's goal of using their platform to manage various business areas, including B2B SaaS, marketplace, and OTT film production, over the next two years.