Role
UX Designer
UI Designer
UX Researcher
Tools
Figma
Adobe XD
Location
Vancouver
Duration
8 Weeks
Prompt
Design a loyalty experience that feels exclusive and aspirational, while still being inclusive enough to invite and guide new customers along the path to long-term engagement.
Shifting user expectations around online shopping and brand interaction.
SSENSE aims to build a loyalty program that reinforces its luxury positioning through exclusivity: yet current models risk alienating high-potential customers who are not yet part of the initiative.
Defining brand’s strengths and challenges using SWOT analysis and exploring how UX could drive value through a focused value proposition lens.
I began by analyzing the brand and business through a SWOT framework to define key parameters. From there, I used a value proposition table to identify where UX and design could add or elevate value before jumping into concepts.
S
Targets an audience of growing niche market and demographics.
W
A strong, specific brand image and identity may unintentionally alienate or exclude certain segments of the target audience.
O
Opportunity to expand services for a broader client base.
T
Rising competition as more retailers strengthen their eCommerce presence post-pandemic.
Value Proposition
Customer Segment
Value Proposition
Focus on elevating the shopping experience of SSENSE customers.
UX Role
Establishing the possible solutions to customer's challenges when shopping at SSENSE.
Customer Segment
Determining the customer's experience when shopping at SSENSE.
How she shops
All the time
Sometimes
Seldom
Web
LuisaViaRoma
Web
Farfetch
Web
Moda Operandi
Web
Vestaire Collective
Web
Depop
Web
Net-a-Porter
Web
SSENSE
Web
Pechuga Vintage
Brand
Louis Vuitton
Brand
Chanel
Brand
Hermes
Brand
Dior
Brand
Jean Paul Gaultier
Brand
Balenciaga
Brand
Nike
Store
Saks 5th Ave.
Store
Holt Renfrew
Store
Barney's NewYork
Store
The Webster
Where she shops
Online
Boutique
Department
Store
Stakeholder Interview
quote up icon
"We focus on the culture instead of the business. We value our clientele and are invested on establishing our high potential clients. SSENSE is expanding and we want our clientele to grow with us."
quote down icon
Who
Sonia Sun
What
Senior Manager Personal Styling
Where
SSENSE
When
since 2015
Why
She is responsible for the client acquisition and development at SSENSE. The team of personal stylists that directly work with SSENSE's top-tier clientele reports to Sonia.
Aligning  UX with brand vision.
After interviewing five of SSENSE’s loyal customers, I spoke with a key stakeholder to better understand the brand’s vision and future direction.

One key insight emerged: SSENSE is actively focused on identifying and retaining high-potential clientele as a core business opportunity; a goal that would guide the UX strategy moving forward.
Insight
1
Time is the New Luxury
luxury shoppers expect seamless experiences that match the pace of their lives.
Insight
2
Exclusively Inclusive
Exclusivity feels empowering (not alienating) when users are shown how to earn it.
Insight
3
Quality Over Quantity
Creating a deeper and more meaningful connection with the user to develop a strong brand loyalty.
How might we balance exclusivity and accessibility to build long-term loyalty among both VICs and emerging high-potential customers at SSENSE?
Addressing missed-opportunities.
High-value clients lacked a centralized, personalized way to understand and engage with the VIC program benefits, leading to missed opportunities for deeper loyalty and retention.
Designing a personalized VIC dashboard that showcases program benefits (concierge service, early access, and exclusive events) alongside curated content from personal stylists, all designed to reflect the client’s lifestyle and elevate the VIC experience.
Building the client journey:
Transforming the first click to a new connection.
Client Engagement
Client engagement is the first touchpoint with the exclusive experience at SSENSE.
Client Onboarding
Onboarding is an opportunity to extend the brand’s desirability from the very first interaction.
Client Retention
Fostering a long-term loyalty and encouraging clients to shop exclusively and engage deeply with the VIC program.
Lo-fi sketches that follow the brand's identity.
Understanding the customer user flow, I started with few sketches to generate some design ideas that align with the SSENSE brand and image.
SSENSE sketch wireframeSSENSE sketch wireframeSSENSE sketch wireframeSSENSE sketch wireframe
Preparing for usability testing with medium fidelity prototype
Using Figma, I created high fidelity prototype for both web and mobile. Strictly following SSENSE's brand identity through their UI and integrating my design within its parameters.
Client Engagement
VIC program landing page - Mobile
SSENSE mobile wireframeSSENSE mobile wireframeSSENSE mobile wireframeSSENSE mobile wireframe
Client Onboarding
Personalized Client Dashboard - Mobile
SSENSE mobile wireframeSSENSE mobile wireframeSSENSE mobile wireframe
Client Retention
Personal Stylist to Client Messenger - Mobile
SSENSE mobile wireframeSSENSE mobile wireframe
Exploring how users interact with the design
I tested my mobile prototype using Useberry with 10 participants. I've sent also sent the test to the 5 participants that were part of my interview earlier.

testers

5
participants

task 1

Contact personal stylist

tools

Useberry

Avg. Time

55.8
seconds

Completed

63%
Successful

Difficulty

50%
easy
VIC program landing page - Mobile
SSENSE heatmap test resultSSENSE heatmap test resultSSENSE heatmap test resultSSENSE heatmap test resultSSENSE heatmap test result

testers

5
participants

task 2

Find VIC eligibility

tools

Useberry

Avg. Time

3.55
minutes

Completed

50%
Successful

Difficulty

25%
Hard
VIC program landing page - Mobile
SSENSE heatmap test resultSSENSE heatmap test resultSSENSE heatmap test resultSSENSE heatmap test result
VIC Program requirement and status
While designing the client dashboard, I revisited insights from my user interviews to understand what information clients find valuable on their profiles; particularly their annual spend. I focused on integrating this data in a way that feels approachable and non-intimidating through thoughtful visual design.
Contacting your personal stylist
To streamline communication, clients can easily contact their designated personal stylist by clicking on the stylist’s name, which opens a messenger modal. A clear CTA is also placed in the Stylist’s Picks section of the client dashboard, and real-time message notifications appear at the top of the screen to ensure clients never miss an update.

Food-for-thought

Tone of voice matters
Explore additional iterations and presentation formats that enhance the user experience while staying true to the SSENSE brand identity.

Food-for-thought

Test
More iteration enables deeper usability testing. Due to tight deadlines, I was only able to complete one round. Moving forward, I’d like to incorporate A/B testing and card sorting to validate and refine the program’s information architecture.

Food-for-thought

Analyze metrics and KPI
To take this project further, I’d focus on gathering data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the program’s success through measurable ROI.
Thank you
Merci
谢谢
Gracias
감사합니다
ありがとう
Salamat
ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ
ขอบคุณ
Thank you
Merci
谢谢
Gracias
감사합니다
ありがとう
Salamat
ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ
ขอบคุณ
Thank you
Merci
谢谢
Gracias
감사합니다
ありがとう
Salamat
ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ
ขอบคุณ
Thank you
Merci
谢谢
Gracias
감사합니다
ありがとう
Salamat
ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ
ขอบคุณ