PawTalk is an innovative digital app designed to deepen the bond between pet owners and their beloved dogs and cats. By decoding the subtle signals, behaviors, and sounds of pets, PawTalk helps owners understand their pets' intentions, emotions, and unique ways of communication. The app goes beyond understanding—it empowers pet owners with tools to "talk back," fostering two-way interaction like never before
Duration
2 weeks
Tools
Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Procreate
My Role
User Research, Concept Development, Interface Design, Visual Design
Features
01
Analyze your pet’s body language, vocalizations, and habits to reveal their needs and emotions.
02
Analyze your pet’s body language, vocalizations, and habits to reveal their needs and emotions.
03
Tools like sounds, gestures, and training cues to help you "speak" your pet's language effectively.
04
The app features a vibrant community where users can share their experiences, insights, and tips about pet behavior and communication.
04
The app features a vibrant community where users can share their experiences, insights, and tips about pet behavior and communication.
Challange
I have a Labrador dog named Tank, and I love him very much; he is my best friend. But when interacting with Tank, I often encounter situations where it's like 'talking at cross purposes.' He can't understand my commands, and I don't understand why he barks. In fact, all pet owners often face these communication barriers with their pets. It would be great if there were a tool to help us communicate with each other.
Current situation of China’s pet market
In China, about 220 million households have pets; in the United States, about 84.26 million households have pets; in Japan, about 11.61 million households have pets.
User Research
I usually want to communicate with my pets to understand their feelings and thoughts, and I also want to know their intentions. However, I often struggle to understand them precisely. I noticed that other pet owners around me share the same concern, so I conducted user research, including questionnaires and interviews, to explore this further.
People communicate with their pets through a combination of verbal cues, nonverbal gestures, and emotional expressions
Persona
After discussing their daily routines with pet owners, I created a journey map to summarize their pain points and daily activities with their dogs. This map outlines the key moments in their day-to-day lives, highlighting challenges and opportunities to improve their experience.
Journey map
After discussing their daily routines with pet owners, I created a journey map to summarize their pain points and daily activities with their dogs. This map outlines the key moments in their day-to-day lives, highlighting challenges and opportunities to improve their experience.
Ideation
Based on the targeted user personas and journey map, I identified dog owners' main pain points and derived six design opportunities to address them.
Painpoints
What If
Solutions
Pet language interpreter
Based on the targeted user personas and journey map, I identified dog owners' main pain points and derived six design opportunities to address them.
Supportive community
A vibrant community space where pet lovers exchange tips, stories, and advice, fostering a supportive environment for everyone.
Conveys my language to pet’s language
Imagine using technology or enhanced behavioral cues to express emotions like love, reassurance, or playfulness in ways our pets truly understand
Information Structure
I designed the app with two main features: a pet language interpreter, which analyzes uploaded images and voice recordings to interpret your pet's intentions, and a "Talk to Pet" function that translates your language into a format your pet can understand. Additionally, the app includes a supportive community to help users connect and share experiences with each other.
Competitive Analysis
After reviewing the current market for smart home devices, I analyzed their features, strengths, and weaknesses to gain a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and limitations.
Supportive Community
The app features a vibrant community where users can share their experiences, insights, and tips about pet behavior and communication. It’s a space to connect, learn from others, and gain support in understanding pets’ daily intentions while also helping fellow pet owners.
Sketch
Wireframe
Storyboard
Mia has adopted a dog named Toto, and they are having a wonderful time together. However, as a first-time dog owner, Mia often feels confused when Toto barks or behaves in certain ways. After discovering PawTalk, she can now understand Toto better and communicate with him more effectively.
Design Interface
Onboarding Questions
During onboarding, users can input basic information about their pet, such as name, breed, age, and preferences. This information creates a personalized profile and ensures the app is tailored to their pet’s unique needs and characteristics.
Pet Language Interpreter
Using AI-powered technology, the system analyzes recorded pet sounds, images, or videos to interpret their intentions and emotions. This feature bridges the communication gap by providing real-time insights into what your pet may be feeling or trying to convey.
Click to navigate to the "Convey My Language to Pet" page. Here, you can use advanced tools to bridge the communication gap between you and your pet.
Click the record button to capture your pet's voice, and the system will analyze its tone and intent. Using advanced AI algorithms, it interprets the emotional state and needs of your pet, helping you better understand their feelings and communicate more effectively.
Click to enter the Community section, where you can connect with fellow pet owners and enthusiasts. Share experiences, seek advice, and get valuable tips from others who understand your journey.
Record your pet's sounds, and the system will analyze them to determine their meaning and intent. The results, along with helpful advice tailored to your pet's needs, will be displayed for you. If you disagree with the system's interpretation, you can provide your own insights or feedback.
Upload a video or image of your pet, and the system will analyze it to provide interpretations of your pet's intentions and emotions. Using advanced AI, the app evaluates body language, expressions, and context to give you insights into what your pet might be feeling or trying to communicate.
Conveying My Language to My Pet
The app offers a selection of “pet languages” to help users communicate effectively with their pets. Users can select what they want to say—whether it’s commands, reassurance, or affection—and the system will convert it into signals or sounds that pets can understand, fostering better interaction.
Profile
Each pet profile stores communication history, including recorded interactions and AI-generated reports. These insights help pet owners track patterns, identify preferences, and gain a deeper understanding of their pet’s behavior and needs over time.