Gamer Shop App / Website

Overview

I created this project while completing the Google UX Design Professional Certificate. It focuses on creating a responsive eCommerce website and mobile app that enables gamers to shop for accessories like headsets, keyboards, and controllers. While the design is still underway, the bulk of my effort so far has been dedicated to understanding user needs through research.
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The Product

Mobile-first ecommerce website that allows users to purchase gaming equipment

schedule

The Timeline

May 2025 - Present

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Tools & Deliverables

Research documentation, usability study plan / interview script, wireframes, lo-fi prototype

Tools:
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The Problem

Gamers often face a fragmented and overwhelming experience when shopping for accessories online. Many sites prioritize aesthetics or product volume over usability, making it difficult for users to find gear that fits their play style, technical needs, budget, or accessibility requirements. Users with disabilities or temporary impairments face additional challenges due to limited filtering options, unclear product compatibility, and a lack of inclusive design features.

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The Goal

Design a responsive eCommerce experience that helps gamers of all abilities efficiently discover, evaluate, and purchase gaming accessories. The product will support personalized filtering, accessibility-focused browsing, and curated bundles—making the process easier, faster, and more inclusive for casual and competitive gamers alike.

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My Role

UX Designer - user research: interview scripts, user insights, audience identification, user journeys & scenarios; competitor research; layout design

Background & Process

1. Gathering Information

Business Objective

This project began with a prompt rather than an existing business, which is as follows: Design an app and a responsive eCommerce website that enable gamers to purchase gaming equipment.

Target Audience

After establishing the business, I needed to determine my target audience. With the help of AI, I generated key details and demographics. To summarize:

  • Primary Audience: professional gamers, streamers, & frequent gamers
  • Secondary Audience: casual, new, & lifestyle gamers

For more details on the target audience, see the target audience document.

Interviewing the Target Audience

Considering this business did not already have any set product in mind, I created some mock interviews to determine what the app's focus should be and what user needs are. The question is: how can I make this app stand out?

Interview goals: 

  1. Understand how users currently shop for gaming gear
  2. Identify pain points in the eCommerce experience
  3. Learn about device preferences, customization needs, accessibility, and budget
  4. Uncover unmet needs and opportunities for better UX

Interview questions document

I did not have the resources to conduct real interviews, so I generated a sample interview transcript to help me complete my objective.

2. Empathize: Crafting Personas, User Stories, and User Journeys

Using a template, I filled out information that included basic demographics as well as goals and pain points. You may view specific details in the personas and user journeys sections below.

3. Define: Identify Problems, Solutions, and Value Propositions

By reflecting on my findings in crafting user stories, I then identified possible solutions to specific user problems and created a value proposition list (document) that may solve those problems.

4. Ideate: Determine Goals and Research Competitors

Goals

At this point I created a goal statement that would help narrow down my focus for the app.

Goal statement: Our website / app will let users easily find and purchase gaming equipment which will affect their ability to shop quickly and condifently by offering curated bundles, aesthetic-based browsing, advanced performance filters, and accessible shopping features. We will measure effectiveness by the number of positive reviews, engagement, and purchases.

Competitors

I performed a competitor audit to see what is already out there, and to get some inspiration. I also put together a competitive audit report to make the content of the audit a little more digestible.

5. Design

For information on the design process, please view the design section.

  1. Storyboards
  2. User flow
  3. Sitemap
  4. Wireframes
  5. Lo-fi prototype
  6. Usability testing - From this step on is a work in progress
  7. Hi-fi prototype
  8. Further user testing
  9. Desktop Design
  10. TBD...

Research

To ensure the product met the real needs of its users, I conducted extensive early-stage research focused on how gamers shop for accessories online. This included identifying target audiences, writing interview scripts, developing personas, and mapping user journeys. Special attention was given to accessibility, incorporating insights from users with disabilities and temporary impairments. The research uncovered key pain points around product discovery, customization, and accessibility—informing the design of a more inclusive and efficient shopping experience.

Personas

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27
school
some college
location_on
a city
family_restroom
lives alone, pet cat
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Pro Gamer & Streamer

Derrick "D-Rex" Johnson

Primary Audience

Secondary Audience

"If my gear can't keep up with me, it's holding me back."

Derrick is a full-time streamer and FPS competitor with a high-performance mindset. He invests heavily in his gear and values customization, speed, and reliability. He often reviews new equipment on stream and influences his audience's buying decisions.

User Story

As a professional gamer and streamer I want to filter accessories by performance specs and preview customization options so that I can quickly find high-performance gear that enhances both my gameplay and my stream’s aesthetic.

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Goals
  • Stay ahead of competitors with high-performance gear
  • Maintain a strong personal brand and stream aesthetic
  • Easily find gear that matches performance needs and stream vibe
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Frustrations
  • Stock issues and backorders
  • Websites that don’t include detailed specs or latency info
  • Lack of filtering for high-performance features
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34
school
Bachelor's Degree
location_on
Suburbs
family_restroom
Partner and Dog
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Marketing Manager

Michelle

Primary Audience

Secondary Audience

“I just want something that works for both work and gaming — and looks good doing it.”

Michelle plays cozy and story-based games to unwind after work. She prefers gear that’s minimal, multi-functional, and reasonably priced. She’s not super techy, so a clean, guided shopping experience is important to her.

User Story

As a casual gamer and remote worker I want to find quiet, stylish accessories that work for both gaming and work, and view curated bundles so that I can avoid decision fatigue and keep my setup functional and affordable.

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Goals
  • Find affordable accessories that are functional and attractive
  • Use one setup for both remote work and casual gaming
  • Avoid overthinking specs and compatibility
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Frustrations
  • Overwhelming product choices
  • Technical jargon on product pages
  • Loud or clunky gear that doesn’t fit her vibe
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62
school
Master's Degree
location_on
Quiet suburb
family_restroom
Wife, Grown Children
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Retired Engineer

Harold

Primary Audience

Secondary Audience

“I’ll keep gaming as long as I can click a mouse — I just need the right tools.”

Harold is a long-time PC gamer who enjoys mental challenges and immersive simulations. As he ages, he needs more ergonomic, adaptive tools but doesn’t want to sacrifice quality or autonomy in the shopping process.

User Story

As a senior gamer with arthritis I want to filter for ergonomic and accessible products so that I can continue gaming comfortably without having to rely on others to help me find compatible gear.

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Goals
  • Continue enjoying strategy and simulation games in retirement
  • Find ergonomic accessories that accommodate his arthritis
  • Make informed purchases without relying too much on others
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Frustrations
  • Small text and cluttered websites
  • Limited ergonomic or adaptive gear options
  • Few accessibility filters when shopping online
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29
school
Associate's Degree
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Urban Area
family_restroom
Roommate & Dog
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Freelance Illustrator

Emery

Primary Audience

Secondary Audience

“My gear is part of my identity — it should reflect my style and support my setup.”

Emery is a creative who blends gaming, art, and streaming. They prioritize form and function equally and seek gear that enhances both performance and personality. Community reviews and design are major influences.

User Story

As a creative gamer and part-time streamer I want to browse by visual style and easily see setup compatibility so that I can build a cohesive setup that expresses my identity and works seamlessly with my streaming tools.

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Goals
  • Build a cohesive aesthetic across their gaming and streaming setup
  • Find gear that’s functional and visually expressive
  • Keep setup portable and compatible across devices
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Frustrations
  • Limited color and style options
  • Confusing tech specs or setup guides
  • Difficulty finding niche accessories or add-ons

User Journeys

Derrick "D-Rex" Johnson

Primary Audience

Secondary Audience

ACTION Research Accessories Browse Product Options Compare Products Add to Cart Checkout
TASK LIST A. Look for pro reviews on Reddit/YouTube
B. Ask stream audience for suggestions
C. Search on trusted tech/gaming sites
A. Filter by performance specs
B. Skim titles and specs
C. Look for RGB options
A. Open multiple tabs
B. Compare latency, DPI, build material
C. Read/watch hands-on reviews
A. Pick highest-rated version
B. Customize colors/layout
C. Add to cart
A. Enter creator discount code
B. Select fast shipping
C. Complete purchase
FEELING ADJECTIVE Motivated, excited Focused, analytical Conflicted, intense Confident, decisive Satisfied, anticipatory
IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Feature gear guides for pro gamers or streamers Add deeper filtering for performance specs & customization Include comparison mode with key tech specs side-by-side Offer customization previews for RGB/visual gear Show delivery timeframes clearly; offer loyalty perks

Michelle

Primary Audience

Secondary Audience

ACTION Research Accessories Browse Product Options Compare Products Add to Cart Checkout
TASK LIST A. Search for gear online
B. Click on ads or search results
C. Visit trusted sites
A. Filter by price or color
B. Scroll through listings
C. Open multiple tabs
A. Skim product specs
B. Read reviews
C. Watch unboxing videos
A. Choose desired color/style
B. Check compatibility
C. Add item to cart
A. Apply promo code
B. Enter shipping info
C. Confirm payment
FEELING ADJECTIVE Curious, hopeful Overwhelmed, indecisive Confused, cautious Relieved, slightly uncertain Accomplished, cautious
IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Simplify search experience with beginner-friendly language Highlight curated recommendations or starter bundles Provide easy comparison charts or beginner tips Show compatibility clearly and offer real-life photos Create trust with clear return policies and clean design

Harold

Primary Audience

Secondary Audience

ACTION Research Accessories Browse Product Options Compare Products Add to Cart Checkout
TASK LIST A. Ask son for suggestions
B. Search “ergonomic gaming mouse”
C. Look at trusted tech blogs
A. Use accessibility tags if available
B. Look for large buttons or adaptive features
C. Zoom in on images
A. Read reviews from other seniors
B. Look for comfort-focused specs
C. Double-check compatibility
A. Select model with best comfort rating
B. Re-check return policy
C. Add to cart
A. Slowly enter info
B. Check for delivery help
C. Confirm order
FEELING ADJECTIVE Cautious, hopeful Frustrated, unsure Reassured, hesitant Calm, careful Accomplished, slightly nervous
IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Offer dedicated accessibility hub for products Add adjustable text size and product demo videos Feature senior/user testimonials on product pages Highlight easy-returns and ergonomic features Simplify checkout layout; allow for slower pacing and support options

Emery

Primary Audience

Secondary Audience

ACTION Research Accessories Browse Product Options Compare Products Add to Cart Checkout
TASK LIST A. Search for “aesthetic gaming setup”
B. Browse Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube
C. Visit creator-curated shops
A. Filter by color theme or vibe
B. Browse unique/indie brands
C. Match setup with desk/studio gear
A. Look for compatibility with OBS and streaming tools
B. Read reviews from creatives
C. Watch setup tours
A. Choose gear that fits aesthetic
B. Re-check color & sizing
C. Add to cart
A. Use preferred payment service
B. Save receipt for write-off
C. Complete purchase
FEELING ADJECTIVE Inspired, curious Excited Curious Satisfied Confident, pleased
IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Highlight creative setups & user-generated content Add filtering by visual aesthetic/style Include creative testimonials & use-case examples Offer “build your aesthetic setup” bundles Integrate style previews in cart; confirm design match visually

Design

Storyboards

Big Picture

Close Up

User Flow

Sitemap

Wireframes

Prototypes

Low Fidelity V1

I am currently conducting usability testing using a survey. Stay tuned for results and refinements.

Final Product

This project is a work in progress.

Takeaways

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Impact

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What I Learned

So far, I've gained a few more skills related to UX design that I didn't experience at my previous role. Primarily, I've learned what user research processes look like and how to go about conducting it.