Problem

Many collectors struggle to keep up with documenting their growing collections, often relying on cluttered spreadsheets or disorganized notes. This can lead to inaccurate item records, mislabeled entries, and missed opportunities when attempting to sell or trade items. Without a clear, visual, and flexible system, maintaining up-to-date information becomes overwhelming, especially for those attending events or managing high-value pieces. Inconsistent record-keeping can also result in underestimating or overvaluing certain items, leading to frustrating experiences.

Approach

To ensure Curator addressed real collector needs, I began the project with user research to better understand the behaviors, frustrations, and goals of collectors. I conducted 1-on-1 interviews with a diverse group of 5 collectors—ranging from casual hobbyists to serious traders—to uncover common pain points in how they document and manage their collections. From these conversations, I identified patterns that informed the creation of two primary personas: one focused on organization and cataloging, and the other motivated by trading and attending events.

Using these personas as a foundation, I mapped out user journeys and created low-fidelity wireframes to visualize potential solutions. I then developed a clickable prototype and conducted usability testing with the same users and additional testers to validate the design. Their feedback helped shape improvements around navigation, entry customization, and visual clarity. Each iteration of the prototype brought me closer to a solution that balanced ease of use with powerful functionality for collectors.

Solution

Curator was designed to offer a user-friendly platform that allows collectors to quickly add, categorize, and track their items with full customization options. Key features include photo-based entries, custom tags, valuation tracking, and integration with marketplace and event listings. By emphasizing simplicity and usability, the app helps users stay organized without the need for complex tools. Research insights directly informed features that prioritize speed, clarity, and control in how collections are managed and shared.

Outcome

Although Curator remains a concept, usability testing and feedback from potential users showed strong promise. Key results from prototype testing include:

• 87% of participants said the app would significantly reduce the time and effort required to organize their collections.
• 73% stated they would prefer using Curator over their current documentation methods.
• 91% felt more confident in keeping accurate and updated records using the app.

These insights validate Curator’s potential to streamline the collector experience and provide a more enjoyable, organized approach to managing collections.