Elevating User Experience: Brocard’s Digital Evolution with Devlight
- Discovery Phase
- UI/UX Design
- Mobile App Development
- SwiftUI
- Kotlin
- Firebase
- Apollo GraphQL
Brocard BY THE NUMBERS
BROCARD is Ukraine’s largest perfumery and cosmetics chain in the luxury segment.
About the client & the story behind them
With a staggering customer base of 1.8 million devoted patrons, Brocard stands as Ukraine’s foremost luxury fragrances and cosmetics chain. In a fiercely competitive niche where staying ahead is imperative, Brocard embarked on a digital expansion journey, recognizing the evolving landscape of consumer preferences.
Driven by a commitment to maintain its industry leadership, Brocard sought to enhance its digital presence. Understanding the critical need to elevate its digital offerings, the brand turned to Devlight for the development of a cutting-edge application. This strategic move aimed to ensure that Brocard remains at the forefront of innovation and continues to provide an unmatched experience to its discerning clientele.
Request to Devlight
Brocard entrusted us with a pivotal task: to craft a mobile application that mirrors the comprehensive functionality of their website while ensuring seamless adaptation to the mobile interface. Moreover, they envisioned future expansions and additional functionalities to not just meet but surpass customer expectations in terms of convenience and competitiveness.
To materialize this vision, our journey commenced by meticulously cataloging the entire spectrum of functionalities offered on the Brocard website. We methodically segmented these features into releases, collaborating closely with Brocard to discern which functionalities would debut in the MVP (Minimum Viable Product), subsequent releases, and the progressive roadmap ahead.
In our initial iterations, the primary focus lay in faithfully replicating the website’s extensive functionality within the mobile app. Subsequently, our approach shifted towards brainstorming and integrating innovative features aimed at enhancing user engagement, ensuring a captivating and enriched user experience.
Challenges and Limitations
One of the pivotal challenges in developing the Brocard application lay in the stringent time constraints for its release. The pressing need for a swift launch necessitated an accelerated pace, often requiring us to operate under tight deadlines and extended work hours to ensure the timely launch of the application.
Additionally, navigating technical intricacies posed another formidable challenge. Brocard’s existing technical infrastructure, optimized for long-term operations, presented complexities in adaptation for mobile usage. Streamlining data specifics, aligning with mobile API documentation, and addressing technical limitations demanded meticulous attention and innovative solutions to ensure seamless integration.
How we did it — solutions, approach, methodology
Our collaboration with Brocard commenced in 2021, commencing with a robust discovery phase. We initiated work on outlining high-level requirements and crafting preliminary lo-fi screen prototypes. However, the project faced an abrupt halt on February 24, 2022, owing to the extensive invasion of Russia into Ukraine.
In June 2023, we rekindled our partnership with Brocard, resuming our efforts towards crafting the mobile application. Given the project’s hiatus, Brocard emphasized the need for rapid development within a highly constrained timeframe.
Entering Discovery Phase 2.0, the urgency dictated a shift from conventional sprints to an adaptive KANBAN approach. This methodology allowed for task prioritization based on the interdependence of requirements, design, and development stages. Our task sequence was contingent upon the readiness of requirements and functionalities. Visual representation of this approach is depicted in the accompanying image.
During Discovery Phase 2.0, we meticulously crafted a comprehensive technical dossier encompassing detailed API specifications and their specific parameters for usage.
Transitioning to the Design phase, our primary focus was infusing vibrancy and usability into the app. Commencing from the foundation laid by our black-and-white prototypes, we embarked on creating a visual identity aligned with Brocard’s target audience.
Central to our approach was the development of a cohesive design system, ensuring consistency across the project. This system comprised a library of standardized design elements, guaranteeing a unified visual language across all app interactions.
Additionally, a comprehensive style guide governed all design decisions, ensuring alignment with the client’s branding elements, from color palettes to typography choices, further cementing the app’s adherence to Brocard’s brand essence.
Our development strategy harnessed native solutions using Kotlin and Swift. Task division between two adept developers for each platform facilitated independent and efficient implementation, while collaborative efforts between iOS and Android teams ensured high-quality development within strict timelines. Additionally, the constant involvement of Business Analysts (BA) and the design team throughout the development phase played a pivotal role in swiftly resolving any challenges encountered by the team.
Product testing was conducted iteratively, incorporating regression testing to mitigate unintended failures. Our rigorous approach integrated various testing methodologies, combining statistical, dynamic analysis, and penetration testing to fortify the app against vulnerabilities. Real-world user testing concluded the robust testing phase before the app’s market release.
The launch of the project unfolded as planned, aligned with our initial agreements. Presently, our team remains actively involved in supporting the mobile application. Simultaneously, we began work on the second version of the project release, aimed at enhancing application development. This effort laid the foundation for future growth and evolution of the application.
Future Challenges
In our upcoming phases of project development, our roadmap encompasses the seamless migration of pending functionalities from the website to the application, ensuring their optimal adaptation for mobile usage. Our focus also extends to identifying and incorporating novel features specifically tailored for mobile applications, aiming to enhance competitiveness in the market.
The objective ahead involves not only the efficient integration of pending site functionalities but also the discovery and implementation of innovative features unique to mobile platforms. This strategic initiative is aimed at not just meeting but exceeding user expectations, positioning the application favorably amidst a competitive landscape.
KEY FEATURES AND VALUE
Final design
Here are some of the final design screens that we want to share with you.
Customer feedbacks
Thanks to Devlight, we were able to launch the mobile application on time and in accordance with our terms of reference and business expectations. Special thanks to the BA and QA team for their high-quality approach to the implementation of the work and high level of expertise, which made it possible to optimize the customer experience in the application. We also note the high level of coordination of the entire project team by the PM, which ensured timely project implementation and a quick and efficient search for optimal solutions. We continue our fruitful cooperation to improve and develop the application continuously.
