The Trops
Redesigning the app and admin platform to empower creators and improve user engagement
Project Overview
Problem: The Trops' digital platform needed enhancements to improve user engagement and a more intuitive admin experience for managing art and performances.
Solution: I redesigned the home screen for better user insight, added an events page to streamline performance schedules, and redesigned the admin tools for seamless content management on both the website and app.
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Project Type: Multi-platform UX Redesign
Timeline: Sep 2024 - Present
Tools: Figma, Trello, Jira
Role: UX Designer & Researcher
Collaborators: Creative Director, CEO, Software Developers
About the Company: Trops is a dynamic platform designed to celebrate and connect creators, curators, and art enthusiasts. By merging the digital and physical art worlds, Trops empowers users to showcase their creativity, whether through visual art, live performances, or unique venues.
DESIGN PROCESS
DESIGN PROCESS
Goals
Provide users with immediate clarity about the app's purpose
Create a dedicated events page for better performance scheduling
Improve the admin experience for managing art, venues, vendors, etc.
UX Research
Through UX analysis and competitive research, I uncovered the following key insights:
Admin Dashboard Usability Issues: The existing dashboard lacked intuitive workflows, making it difficult for users to upload and manage their content efficiently. Features such as time slots and scheduling tools were not user-friendly, leading to frustration.
Missed Opportunities: Unlike competitors like Meetup and Eventbrite, the platform did not effectively showcase user-generated events or provide seamless scheduling options.
Navigation Gaps: Users struggled to locate key features due to inconsistent navigation and an unclear hierarchy, particularly when managing multiple pieces of content.
These findings highlighted the need for a streamlined admin experience that empowers users to easily manage their art and events while aligning with the app's creative vision.
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Design & Iteration
The design phase was a collaborative process between myself, the founder, and the creative director, ensuring the new interfaces aligned with the company’s vision.
My focus was on creating a clean and user-friendly interface with more white space and a simplified design style, which resonated with both stakeholders and the app’s creative identity. After presenting my designs for key components such as the home screen, events page, and admin tools, I worked closely with the team to address minor adjustments while maintaining the original vision.
Key Iterations
This iterative process allowed me to ensure stakeholder satisfaction while maintaining a user-first approach, resulting in a cohesive and functional design.
Home Screen: Optimized card layouts to display all relevant information upfront, enhancing clarity and usability
Admin Dashboard: Incorporated design tweaks to improve visual hierarchy and ensure seamless integration with the rest of the app
Events Page: Refined the header to include essential filters, improving navigation and searchability
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Hi-Fi Mockups
| Home Screen
Before
Map showcasing nearby art, lacking information about the app’s features
| Events Screen
When users navigate to the Events screen, they can view a schedule of upcoming performances and events. This section provides key details at a glance, helping users stay informed and plan ahead. The flow is shown below.
| Admin Dashboard
When users navigate to the Admin Profile, they can create new entries for art, venues, and more. This section guides them through a simple questionnaire to ensure all necessary details are included. The flow is shown below.
After
Map is an expandable feature, complemented by scrollable sections like featured art and events for a more engaging and informative experience
Impact
| Improved user onboarding by providing upfront clarity about the app’s features
| The new events page streamlined live performance scheduling, making it easier for users to discover and plan events
| The new events page streamlined live performance scheduling, making it easier for users to discover and plan events
Reflection
Working on Trops was a deeply fulfilling experience, as I saw firsthand how my designs contributed to its growth and community impact. Watching users engage with an app I helped shape—especially at monthly events with high attendance—was incredibly rewarding.
This project taught me the value of creating designs that balance user needs with business goals. It also deepened my skills in iterative design, collaboration, and refining complex systems to enhance usability and accessibility.