Introduction
Mapasubastas is an innovative all-in-one platform designed to streamline and enhance the auction experience for users across Spain.
Recognizing the complexities and inefficiencies in traditional auction websites, Mapasubastas was established to offer a user-friendly interface that simplifies the search and participation in auctions. Through its comprehensive map-based system, users can effortlessly locate auctions by province, category, or keyword, ensuring a more efficient and accessible auction process.
‘Transforming auctioning: addressing the shortcomings of current apps for a mobile-first platform that loyalty.
My role
As the lead UX and visual designer for Mapasubastas, I collaborated closely with a front-end developer to bring the platform’s vision to life. Working alongside a graphic designer, we ensured a cohesive and appealing visual identity, while maintaining continuous communication with the full-stack developer to align design objectives with technical capabilities.
Defining the gaps
In the first stage, we used analytics from a basic app demo to gather insights. Testers from auction forums provided data and feedback, helping us improve the app’s structure and design.
Mapasubastas faced several challenges that needed to be addressed to optimize its platform:
‘What value can we offer the target audience that any other app cannot?
GAP #1
Brand image definition and consistency
The platform lacked a well-defined and cohesive brand identity, which is crucial for establishing trust and recognition among users.
GAP #2
Fragmented userbase
The auction market is dispersed across various state and private platforms, each with its own active users. Mapasubastas is the go-to solution as a single, unified platform.
GAP #3
Usability on the map interface
The central feature of the platform required significant improvements to enhance usability, making it more intuitive for seamless navigation.
Goal
By focusing on these objectives, Mapasubastas aims to position itself as a leading platform in the Spanish auction industry, offering exceptional value and a superior user experience.
OBJECTIVE #1
Develop a consistent brand identity
Create a unified visual language and branding guidelines to ensure consistency across all touchpoints, building a professional and trustworthy image.
OBJECTIVE #2
After the user experience
Design the map interface to be more intuitive and detailed than the other current apps, improving accessibility, overall user satisfaction, and providing many features bundled on the same platform.
OBJECTIVE #3
Increase the target audience
Implement features and marketing strategies aimed at increasing user engagement and attracting new audiences to the platform.
OBJECTIVE #4
Streamline platform navigation
Optimize the app and website’s navigation to provide a seamless experience, minimizing friction in user interactions.
Process
Each step of this journey reflects our focus on a mobile-first approach while ensuring compatibility across all platforms. Below, you’ll find key milestones that highlight how we built a cohesive brand, highlighted user experiences, and developed a functional, visually appealing system.
BRANDING
We developed a consistent and professional brand identity, ensuring that Mapasubastas conveys trust and reliability. From logo design to color schemes, the visual language aligns with the platform’s mission to simplify auctions.
BUILDING USER PERSONAS AND JOURNEY MAPS
Understanding the users was a critical first step. We conducted research to define key user personas and mapped out their journeys, identifying pain points and opportunities to improve interactions at every touchpoint.
THE LANDING PAGE
The lead capture page was designed to be the gateway to the platform, emphasizing clarity and engagement. Its layout prioritizes user needs, showcasing the benefits of the platform while guiding visitors toward key actions.
SIGN UP & LOG IN SYSTEM
We aligned the call-to-action messaging with user behavior, optimizing the sign-up and login process to not only attract new users but convert them into loyal premium customers.
BUILDING THE APP
The mobile-first app design offers a rich, intuitive experience with features tailored to user needs:
The Search menu. Simplified yet powerful, allowing users to refine searches through keywords, drawn areas, or saved filters.
Map views. Multiple perspectives to explore auctions by location, including detailed pop-ups for each auction.
Auction pages with investigator mode. Detailed pages with comprehensive information to support decision-making with the unique feature enabling users to gather information and organize it into personal folders.
Profile, membership and alerts. Tools like favorites, alerts, and tailored memberships designed to enhance user engagement.
Outcome
The development of Mapasubastas marks a significant step toward revolutionizing the auction industry in Spain. While the platform is still refining its features to attract more premium users and expanding its capabilities, the work accomplished so far has set a strong foundation for growth.
ACHIEVEMENT #1
Enhanced user experience
Early feedback indicates that the redesigned map interface and improved navigation have simplified the auction search process for users.
ACHIEVEMENT #2
Increased awareness
A professional and consistent brand identity has helped Mapasubastas gain initial visibility among early investors and professionals in the sector.
ACHIEVEMENT #3
Mobile-first
The platform focus on mobile-first design and ensures a seamless experience across devices, appealing to users who prefer browsing and managing auctions on-the-go.
More cases to explore
ELEARNING
L&D foundations for Atexis
ART, EDUCATION, DESIGN
Gaming the way to education
