The document describes an idea for a mobile app that would help users discover new clothing and styles based on their personal tastes. The app would show users photos of merchandise from various nearby stores, allowing them to browse without brands or prices. If a user likes an item, they could view more details and potentially be directed to that physical store. The goal is to make exploring new styles and stores easier, while still supporting in-person shopping. Friends could also suggest items to each other through the app. Overall, the app aims to give users more control over customizing their shopping experience.

1. redscout & academy of art
Brian Mahlstedt
Summer 2012
Creative Thinking & Problem Solving

2. June 29th, 2012:
Redscout visits our classroom, &
challenged us with a word; innovation

3. & to get us started, they asked
what is something that is really
frustrating us at that point in
time.

4. }
a person
a place that is presenting a problem for me
a thing

5. a person
a place that is presenting a problem for me
a thing

6. my part-time retail job in the mall downtown.

7. my part-time retail job in the mall downtown.
}
customer complaints
-too trendy!
-not enough variety!
-too crowded! too cluttered!
-nothing worth coming in for!!!

8. “too trendy” & “not enough variety”
-fashion forcast & trends
-styles are limited to brand image
= brand controls personal shopping experience

9. “too crowded & cluttered”
-downtown location
-cheaper clothes, more inventory, more to sort
through harder to find the “goodies”
= chaotic shopping environment doesn’t
encourage exploration

10. “nothing worth coming in for”
- bad selection
- waste of time
- questions returning to store / brand
= wasted time in store trying to find something
that “works.”

12. problem statement:
In-store shopping environments are not supportive
towards building upon personal style.

13. How do we change this?
-personal style?
-environment?
-support?

14. personal style
-doesn’t come from one store
-brand image doesn’t not mean
style
- “if a store doesn’t seem like it
fits personal style, i’m not likely
to go inside.”

15. environment
-wants the experience of shop-
ping online, but needs to see “in
person”
-crowds are deterrents
- “so many places are too big
& just have so much crap.
I just want the good
stuff”

16. support
- “I love finding things I’d never
think a store would carry.”
- no time to hunt
- direct way of finding those
“unexpected items”, without
the searching.

17. a way to
- explore multiple stores, clear
ing out the clutter & crowds so
“goodies” can be discovered.
- get people to visit stores that
they otherwise wouldn’t think
support their style
- still recieve in-store experience
before buying.

18. idea:
Create an app that supports personal style
that knows stores near you, and randomizes
them (regardless of price, brand, or popu-
larity) to show you an array of merchandise
in picture-browsing format that will assist
the user in finding things that “work” before
wasting time in the store.

19. how the idea works: User makes two simple selections:
my style or not my style.
my style
not my style
All shown merchandise is
based off online images of
what they are carrying in
store at that
current time.
No brands are listed. No
prices are listed. Just images
so that the user can focus
on they like visually before
anything else.

20. Selection reveals:
-brand
-price
-location of store
-alternate colors and
patterns
description &
social connections (next
page)
location:
$14.50

21. connect with friends If suggested item is selected
as “my style”:
location:
-friend will recieve notification
$14.50 that they made a good sug-
gestion, and are encouraged
to do more.
via connection to Facebook, -friend will recieve stylist
friends can suggest mer- points that are redeemable
chandise to you. suggested by: for discounts & store gift-
cards
They can also submit pho-
tos of things they find (at
places like thrift stores &
boutiques) that will get
added to your merch. feed liked by:
seamlessly

22. deal unlocked!
Deals that “work”
If you select the same brand,
multiple times, the app now
knows more about your per-
sonal style.
Multiple selections leads to
unlocked deals, giving you
coupons to use on things you
actually want from that store.
location:
$19.50

23. why this will work:
By allowing the user to create their own in-
dividualized shopping experience at home,
before going to the store to buy it, they are
building on their personal style, avoiding the
the discouraging nature of busy & cluttered
retail stores.
Also, similar mobile apps exists (Svpply, Fab.
com), so people will already be drawn to the
idea.

24. who will use this:
Both brand loyal & independent shoppers
will use this app. It’s an easy way to explor-
ing the shopping environments around you,
find the things that “work” for your personal
style, and go to the store knowing what it is
that you’re looking for.

25. satisfying those “customer complaints”
“too trendy” user decides what works for them,
“not enough variety” create own collection of clothes.
app at-home experience, individu-
“too crowded & cluttered” alized shopping, beautiful UI
-if a user doesn’t choose the
“nothing worth coming in for” brand, they’ll never go to the
store.
-if they find something
“unexpected”, they will
go to the store for that
one thing

26. conclusion:
This app idea will allow people to control
their cities shopping experience, and feel
confident in entering busy stores knowing
exactly what they’re looking for to add to
their own personal style.

27. good for retail too:
In-store shopping is still encouraged. This is
not another way to buy online.
This app will allow retail stores to show their
merchandise off in a way that will bring light
to items that might have otherwise been
overlooked by people that usually don’t shop
at their brand.

28. thank you.