Individual
Mobile
Figma
While dog parks offer a space for dogs to socialize and exercise, they can also be plagued by several issues.
Irresponsible owners who neglect to supervise their pets or ignore park rules can lead to aggressive behavior, fights, and accidents.
Poor maintenance and cleanliness can pose health risks to dogs and their owners. Untrained or unsocialized dogs can display unruly behavior, causing conflicts and disruptions
The Solution
Discover what dogs are currently present
Create and join events
Communicate and engage with the community
Conducting onsite analysis over the course of 7 days. I took my 7 month old puppy to the dog part to see what it was all about.
01
Social awkwardness and isolation
Some owners stood to the side of their park scrolling through their phones, isolating and disconnecting themselves from others.
02
Aggressive behaviour from dogs
During a busy day, a sudden altercation broke out between two dogs. Without hesitation, the owner of one of the dogs rushed in and tackled the aggressive dog to protect their own pet.
03
Dispute between dog owners
Certain owners engaged in heated arguments as a consequence of their dog not being neutered, resulting in unsafe conditions for other dogs.
What do other owners have to say?
Ideation
Establishing a visual direction that is playful and fun
Final Designs
How does Paw City help foster a sense of community and safety at dog parks?
Personal Profiles is an effective way for others to quickly get a sense of who you are before reaching out.
Express pet personalities using traits. The “aggressive” trait will alert dogs who are wary of their pets’ safety to stay away.
Report
Report a dog for aggression to promote safety and alert others.
In order to be a community, you need to build connections and interact with others.
Using bright colours, simplicity, and illustrations to build identity
Something new I learned
This was my first time conducting an onsite analysis (field study). I learned that there's a lot that can be learned from simply observing and listening. However, not everything is what it seems. I made assumptions based on what I observed during my time at the park which then was sometimes contested during my interviews.
My favourite part
While collecting user research for Paw City, I forced myself to approach strangers with the chance of rejection. I was able to meet wonderful dog owners who not only gave incredible insight but encouragement and reassurance about my ideas.
Next steps
Checking for technical feasibility. Since this is a personal project without many technical or business constraints, it is difficult to see how practical Paw City can be. How can I produce this service and implement it in the real world?
© 2025 Portfolio by Joyce Ni