URBN
URBN is a conglomeration of popular consumer brands Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, BHLDN, Terrain, Menus & Venues, and Nuuly. As part of an application to their internship program, I conducted research to inform wireframe designs for their Spring 2021 landing page. This was an entirely solo project and focused on their Urban Outfitters brand.
I. Research
To accommodate the timeline of this project, in lieu of being able to conduct my own qualitative study, I used URBN’s publicly available demographic data to craft user personas. According to their annual report, their target audience is sophisticated, self-expressive, and engaged young adults between the ages of 18-28.
Using this data, social media scans, and my understanding of online culture as a chronically online young adult, I determined the following.
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Urban Outfitters’ ideal customer is the artistic Gen Z or young millennial. They are in a state of transition and in the process of developing a personal and artistic identity, which they express through their clothing choices. They value sustainability, inclusivity, and individuality.
User Persona: Nina Santos
Demographics
Age: 20
Education: currently a college sophomore
Values:
+ sustainability
+ self-expression
+ individuality
+ diversity
Technology:
+ actively engaged on social media, including Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok
+ advocates for her beliefs online
+ pays attention to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle trends
+ began online shopping more frequently during the pandemic
Nina's User Needs
While Nina values wants to decrease her reliance on fast fashion to help the environment, she is a young college student without the means to pay for expensive sustainable brands or shop from small businesses at the prices they deserve.
Nina uses TikTok to find products she’s interested in, like corsets and crystals to pursue her budding interest in spirituality. But, she doesn’t have much time to shop and finds Urban’s large catalog overwhelming.
How I can help
Landing page highlights collections that pertain directly to Gen Z interests, pulled from the biggest online consumer trends in Winter/Spring 2022.
Features
+ Support Small Businesses/Artists: top of landing page features small artist collaboration, Chelsea Bravo
+ "Spiritual Awakening” as a featured collection, in light of popular Gen Z #witchtok and #spirituality trends on TikTok
II. Creative
A. Trend Analysis
As part of creative development for this project, I reviewed 2022 graphic design trend reports and created moodboards based on my findings. This review informed a number of design choices for the site, including the earth-toned color palette, high contrast serif font as Heading 1, and geometric typography.
B. Brand Personality
Adjectives:
+ edgy
+ hipster
+ quirky
+ self-esteem
Customer Profile:
+ ages 18-30
+ social media-savvy
+ trendy
+ expressive
+ strong values
Archetype:
The Maverick (aka, the Rebel)
C. Guide
#F3EFDE
#9A9380
#A9352E
#FFFFFF
Heading 1: Caslon CP
Heading 2: Jost, Semi
Heading 3: Jost, Book
III. Wireframes
