Digital Wardrobes
UX Research
Overview
We conducted research, utilizing scenario-based observations and interviews with participants from diverse backgrounds, to lay the groundwork for Digital Wardrobes—a technology-based solution designed to assist individuals in organizing and optimizing their closet space.
Problem
The fashion landscape is expansive and ever-evolving, frequently causing consumers to feel overwhelmed by the continuous growth of their wardrobes. Faced with an abundance of choices, individuals grapple with the daunting task of organizing, tracking, and optimizing their closet space. Our research endeavors to address a crucial question: What are the fundamental user needs for a technology-based solution designed to help organize and maximize their wardrobe?
Goals:
1. Gain insights into participants' existing methods of wardrobe organization.
2. Identify and understand the challenges individuals currently face in managing their wardrobes.
3. Ideate a technology-based solution to address the challenges.
TEAM
Irena Zheng
Connie Chiu
Ian Conger
Tracy Beaty
TIME FRAME
10 weeks
ROLE
UX Research
Interviews
Data Analysis
PROCESS
Research & Analysis
Observations, interviews, affinity diagrams
Findings
Sequence diagrams, personas, scenarios, customer journeys, participant spectrums, priority matrix
Discussion
Insights, limitations, future work
Research & Analysis
How do people currently organize their closets?
Observations
We conducted remote Zoom observations with 8 participants (five female, three male), aged 22 to 50. They were recruited through diverse word-of-mouth referrals to ensure varied perspectives.
Data Collection
During each session, we explored shopping habits and spending limits, observed participants organizing their closets by following an observation protocol, and concluded with demographic questions. The study time varied between 25 and 45 minutes, depending on participants’ inventory size. We recorded observational notes for each participant.
Data Analysis
We consolidated our findings and organized our study notes using the AEIOU framework (Activities, Environments, Interactions, Observations, and Users). We then created an affinity diagram to identify common themes among our data.
From the observation studies, we created a visual representation of the data in a sequence diagram. It follows the combined common path our participants took to complete the observed task.
Interviews
We conducted remote Zoom interviews with 8 participants (three female, five male), aged 23 to 42. They were recruited through diverse word-of-mouth referrals to ensure varied perspectives.
Data Collection
Each interview began with questions about closet habits and motivations, then shifted to past decluttering experiences and obstacles. We explored participants' preferences for solutions and their interest in using technology. Finally, we asked about desired features in a tech-based closet organization solution. Demographic questions closed the interview, with each session lasting between 25 and 45 minutes. Interview notes were recorded for each participant.
Data Analysis
We analyzed interview transcripts using Atlas.ti, applying descriptive codes to the data. Subsequently, an affinity diagram was generated to reveal common themes. Refining the coding process, a final set of codes was established and documented in the Codebook.
The interviews were re-coded using this framework to quantify the frequency of each identified theme. These themes played a crucial role in shaping our findings and served as the foundation for developing persona spectrums, personas, scenarios, user journeys, and a priority matrix.
Findings
Why is closet organization such a chore?
Inventory awareness
- Multiple observation participants expressed that they are unfamiliar with their closet inventory and have forgotten/unworn items.
- Most participants took considerable time when deciding if an item should be kept, donated, or discarded and had trouble parting with items.
- Four interview participants expressed a desire for an easier way to track everything they own.
- Two participants expressed that they've accidentally repurchased the same item twice.
- Some participants have resorted to using various planners and note-taking strategies to keep track of their clothing.
- “I just wish I could see everything I own so I know what I need to organize better. It’s so hard right now because I have so much stuff in my closet.”
Organization obstacles
- Most observation participants had small closet spaces available. They expressed that not having enough space and not knowing how to organize based on the space they have are both big obstacles.
- Each observation participant had their own way of organizing current inventory (e.g. by color, by type of clothing), with some starting to declutter without an organization method in place.
- Five interview participants noted that they “don’t know where to start.” They are struggling to organize their closet efficiently, dissatisfied with their current method, and seeking effective solutions for their space without knowing where to start or improve.
- Participants expressed a common desire to plan outfits in advance and optimize the use of all wardrobe items.
Emotional deterrence
- All observation participants displayed negative feelings towards decluttering/organizing their closet.
- Multiple participants appeared stressed or overwhelmed when initiating the task. They expressed that the task seems daunting and they feel like they haven’t made progress.
- Seven interview participants expressed interest in a technology-based resource that can help with wardrobe management.
- Two interview participants expressed that they have tried looking for resources but gave up because it seemed “too complicated”.
- Four interview participants noted that they do not enjoy organizing their closet and often put it off until it’s absolutely necessary.
We generated persona spectrums using our interview data, which helped us create personas and user journeys.
Personas & User Journeys
We then came to a collaborative consensus on the most important problems our users face by creating a list of priorities through a priority matrix.
Discussion
Based on our findings, we summarized the themes into five main insights to shape our technology-based solution aimed to address wardrobe management difficulties:
Precise Wardrobe Tracking
Many participants rediscovered forgotten items during their decluttering sessions, often realizing they had repurchased things they already owned. The root of the problem was a lack of visibility into their full wardrobe. Some had tried using planners or notes to stay organized, but none of these methods were sustainable.
A possible solution is a wardrobe tracking feature that gives users a clear, visual way to see what they already own. By allowing people to log and browse their clothing inventory, this tool could help reduce accidental purchases, limit overbuying, and support more intentional shopping habits. It could also serve as a reference point when planning outfits or decluttering in the future, making it easier to maintain a system that actually works.
Adaptive Content Display
Most participants had their own ways of organizing clothing, like grouping by color, type, or season. But these strategies were not enough to help them stay organized, especially when dealing with limited closet space.
A potential solution is a tech-based tool with customizable, visual organization. By allowing users to view and sort their wardrobe in different ways, the tool could support a more flexible and holistic approach to closet management. It would adapt to different wardrobe sizes and preferences, offering filters, layout options, and organization styles that users can tailor to their space and habits.
Visual Progress Tracking
While decluttering, many participants expressed feelings of stress and overwhelm. These emotions were often tied to not knowing where to start, having too many clothes, or lacking an effective system for organization.
To make wardrobe management feel more rewarding and less intimidating, we explored a solution that highlights progress. By using visual elements like progress bars or simple graphs, users can track how far they've come and feel a sense of accomplishment. This added motivation can help turn a stressful task into a more positive and encouraging experience.
Intuitive Interface
Participants in both observations and interviews showed interest in a technology-based solution for managing their wardrobes. However, many shared past frustrations with complicated interfaces and said they had given up when tools felt too overwhelming or confusing.
To address this, our solution will focus on simplicity and ease of use. The interface will be designed to feel intuitive and approachable, even for users who are less comfortable with technology. By making navigation effortless and tasks straightforward, we aim to reduce frustration and create a smoother, more positive experience around closet organization.
Smart Suggestions
Based on our observations and interviews, most participants did not have an organization system they were fully satisfied with. They often stuck with what felt familiar, even while hoping for something more effective. Many wanted to know what method would work best for their space, but testing different approaches physically felt too time-consuming and overwhelming.
To make this easier, our solution would offer smart, personalized suggestions based on each user’s wardrobe. Whether that means sorting by item type, color, or season, users could visualize their closet digitally and explore different organization methods without having to reorganize everything in real life first. This flexible system gives users both guidance and control, helping them discover what actually works for their space and habits.
Limitations
Our participants did not accurately represent the general population. The 16 participants that we observed/interviewed ranged in age from 22 to 50, which is a small sample size with a distinct age range. Our findings are not generalizable and we aim to explore a larger sample size with more variance in age.
Observations don’t provide enough information for us to thoroughly explore participants’ feelings, goals, needs, and frustrations. We continued this research through interviews to gain a deeper understanding of user challenges, but future work is still needed.
Low ecological validity. The sessions were limited in time and our observations may not fully depict the true nature of our participants' situation over time.
Future Work
We intend to broaden our user research by:
- Engaging with a more diverse participant pool
- Conduct comprehensive usability testing
- Collect more valuable feedback for our technological solution
- Continuously improve our product through numerous iterations
Our future goal is to sketch out high-impact features based on our priority matrix and design insights. We’ll continue developing and testing these ideas with users to create a practical tool that makes wardrobe management and decluttering more approachable.
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