Hotcadeals
Case Study of
Creating the Hotcadeals Mobile App & Responsive Website
Hotcadeals is a platform where Canadians not only save money through deals and coupons but also participate in
community-driven discussions.
Sulaksana Sabaratnam
Brand Identity Developer
UX Designer
03/24 - Present
Partial Launch 08/24 & On-going
Hotcadeals is a Canadian-based platform designed to help Canadians find, share, and save the best deals across the country.
As a UX designer, I led the entire branding and identity development for Hotcadeals, alongside constructing both the mobile app and responsive website.
Key highlights:
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Developed a strong and appealing visual identity that reflects Hotcadeals mission of community and savings
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Crafted an intuitive and user-friendly mobile app experience, tailored to the needs of Canadians on the go
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Designed a fully responsive website by ensuring that Hotcadeals provides a seamless browsing experience on any device, from mobiles to large desktops
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Implemented intuitive navigation & accessibility by focusing on creating an easy-to-navigate interface, ensuring the platform was accessible and user-friendly for all users, regardless of their digital experience level
01 The Problem & The Goal
I developed the complete branding for the company, including the logo and visual identity, aligning with their core values and target audience. This branding foundation led to the business requesting designs for a mobile app and responsive website. In taking on this role, I was able to ensure that their brand remained consistent through a cohesive design system, including colour schemes, typography, and imagery, to enhance their brand presence as well.
The Problem
The ongoing tariff issues between Canada and the U.S. have placed significant strain on Canadians' purchasing power. With rising costs, Canadians are actively seeking ways to save money while supporting local businesses.
The Goal
The goal was to create a space where Canadians not only save money through deals and coupons but also participate in community-driven discussions. By blending the power of savings with the sense of belonging, Hotcadeals became more than just a deals platform, it became a community.
02 Research & Pain Points
I conducted research through a focus group consisting of five individuals from varying age groups and socio-economic backgrounds. This study uncovered several key pain points, including the challenge of finding deals on Canadian-made products, confusion over coupon usage, and frustration with clunky interfaces.
Identified Pain Points
Difficult to Find Deals on Canadian Made Products
1
Unclear Coupon Usage
2
Hard to Navigate Outdated Sites
3
"We need to put money back into Canada with purchasing Canadian-Made products."
"Why don't they take off coupons that are expired? It's annoying to have to keep trying different ones to find one that works."
"Things are getting really expensive but we cannot rely on America!"
Alex is a plumber that lives in Canada who needs an easier way to find ways to save money on
Canadian-Made products because everything is getting more expensive but he wants to support local businesses during this Tariff war.
Who is it for?
Canadians who
Are struggling to save money
Want to support purchasing Canadian-made products
Want the best deals & coupon
Are looking for like minded individuals to share deals with
03 Wireframes & Prototypes
The project kicked off with finalizing the brand identity, which was critical to setting the tone for the platform’s look and feel. Once the branding was established, I moved on to the wireframing phase. I created paper wireframes for various screen sizes, starting from mobile devices and scaling up to extra-large screens.
This ensured that the design would remain user-friendly across different devices and that essential content was prioritized in a clear and logical flow. After the wireframes were finalized, digital prototypes were built in Figma to visualize how the platform would function and feel.
04 Usability Study & Findings
Findings
1
Deals are easy to access and go through
2
The ability to engage with deals and discussions is great
Goal
Find ways to simplify navigation further, if possible
Once the digital prototype was ready, a usability study was conducted with real users interacting with the platform. Feedback from this study allowed me to fine-tune the user experience by identifying roadblocks and refining the user flow.
By analyzing user interactions, I was able to simplify navigation, adjust content layouts, and enhance the overall ease of use. This iterative process ensured that Hotcadeals not only met the users' needs but exceeded their expectations in terms of usability and design.
05 Mock-Ups & Hi-Fi Prototype
After refining the design through the usability study, I moved to the final stage, creating high-fidelity mockups and prototypes. These mockups were a direct result of the feedback received during the usability testing phase and featured a refined, polished design. They incorporated vibrant visuals that aligned with the brand’s identity while ensuring the user interface remained clean and user-friendly. The final high-fidelity prototypes helped visualize the fully functional experience of the app and website, ensuring that both platforms were visually appealing and responsive.
06 The Takeaway
Working on the entire design process for Hotcadeals from start to finish as a solo designer was a deeply rewarding experience. One of the key takeaways was the importance of starting with mobile-first design. By focusing on mobile screen sizes and scaling up to larger screens, I was able to create an efficient and effective experience for users across all devices. This approach helped me ensure that the platform delivered crucial information in a simple, intuitive way while keeping the design consistent and user-focused.
Ultimately, Hotcadeals is a reflection of how a seamless user experience can help build a thriving community, all while meeting real-world needs in a challenging economic climate.