CAASTLE: HAVERDASH & THE ENSEMBLE
AI-powered SEARCH
Designing a seamless and intuitive AI-powered search experience to enhance product discovery for subscription and rental users.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
As the design lead for the AI search functionality at CaaStle, I drove the strategic integration of this feature across both the Haverdash (subscription) and The Ensemble (rental) sites. This initiative aimed to revolutionize the user browsing experience by delivering a highly intelligent, efficient search tool that empowered users to seamlessly discover and refine their product selections. My role encompassed in-depth competitive research, defining precise user flows, and crafting a sophisticated, intuitive search interface tailored to both mobile and desktop platforms, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience across all touchpoints.
the design process
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To begin, I conducted thorough research on how search is implemented across leading retail brands and tech innovators. I analyzed how search appears, how it functions (e.g., showing search history, providing suggestions before and during input, how results display), and common user expectations. This research helped guide the decisions made around how search should behave and the key features that would enhance the user experience.
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Working closely with the product manager, we mapped out the user journey and identified how users would interact with search on the four key pages: the Homepage, PLP (Product Listing Page), Search Results Page, and PDP (Product Detail Page). Each page required a different approach:
Homepage: Users would need immediate access to search to quickly find what they are looking for without scrolling through the homepage content.
PLP: Users would likely need to refine their selections, so the search tool should be easily accessible but not dominant on the page. We decided to keep it as an icon for quick access.
Search Results Page: Given the mobile-first nature of our users, the search functionality needed to be more accessible. We implemented a sticky search bar, allowing users to refine their search without it obstructing their browsing experience.
PDP: On this page, users have already shown interest in an item, so search was secondary. The search tool remained accessible as an icon, ensuring it didn’t distract from the user’s shopping experience.
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Considering the mobile-first user base, I prioritized designing the search functionality to be seamless and unobtrusive across devices. On mobile, we made sure the search was easy to access but didn’t dominate the screen, providing users with flexibility to search as they saw fit without disrupting their browsing flow.
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For desktop users, I leveraged the larger screen real estate to keep the search bar constantly open, ensuring that users could easily access it throughout their browsing session without having to search for it. This was particularly useful for desktop users who might be performing more detailed searches and needing to refine their queries more often.
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I wanted to ensure users didn’t feel constrained by the search functionality, so I designed the search to be flexible and accommodating. As users typed, we populated results and suggestions that were relevant to their queries. We allowed users to auto-complete their searches with relevant suggestions, making it easier for them to find the exact products they were looking for while keeping the experience user-driven and non-intrusive.
THE RESULT/impact
The launch of the AI search functionality significantly enhanced the browsing experience for both Haverdash and The Ensemble users. The intuitive search design made it easier for users to discover and refine products, leading to faster product selection and increased satisfaction. The mobile-first design and responsive desktop experience ensured a smooth experience across devices, while the AI-powered suggestions and refined input functionality helped users find exactly what they were looking for with minimal effort.
