Mobile App
Michaels Buyer Tools
Company
Michaels
Position
UI/UX Designer
Timeframe
January 2023 - March 2024
Michaels
UI/UX Designer
January 2023 - March 2024
The Michaels Buyer Tools mobile application is a comprehensive solution designed to streamline the purchasing process for Michaels stores nationwide. This innovative app empowers store managers and buyers with real-time inventory management, vendor communication, and purchase order tracking capabilities, all from a mobile device.
As the lead UI/UX designer, I was responsible for the entire design process from initial user research and wireframing to high-fidelity prototypes and developer handoff. I conducted extensive user interviews with store managers to understand their pain points in the procurement process, which informed the app's intuitive navigation and workflow design.
The application features a clean, modern interface that prioritizes essential buying tasks while maintaining brand consistency with Michaels' visual identity. Key challenges included designing for complex data visualization in a mobile format and creating an efficient workflow for purchase order approval processes.
Since its launch in March 2024, the Michaels Buyer Tools app has been adopted by over 500 store locations, resulting in a 40% reduction in procurement processing time and a 25% decrease in inventory discrepancies. The app has received positive feedback for its intuitive design and has significantly improved efficiency for Michaels' buying teams.
Comprehensive user research was conducted with 15 store managers across different regions to understand their procurement workflows. We identified key pain points including inefficient vendor communication, delayed approval processes, and difficulty tracking inventory levels in real-time.
Low-fidelity wireframes were created to establish the app's core structure and navigation. The information architecture was designed to prioritize the most frequently used features like inventory checking and purchase order creation, while keeping secondary features easily accessible.
A comprehensive design system was created with Michaels' brand colors as the foundation. The system includes typography scales, a consistent icon set, button states, and responsive layout grids to ensure visual harmony across all screens and device sizes.
The dashboard provides store managers with an at-a-glance view of critical metrics including inventory levels, pending orders, and recent vendor communications. Data visualization was carefully designed for mobile readability with interactive charts and clear key performance indicators.
The inventory management screen allows users to check stock levels, set reorder points, and view product details with a single tap. A barcode scanner integration enables quick item lookup, significantly reducing the time needed for inventory checks.
The purchase order creation workflow was streamlined to minimize steps while maintaining accuracy. Auto-suggest features for vendor and item selection, along with saved templates for frequently ordered products, make the process efficient for both new and experienced users.
An integrated messaging system allows direct communication with vendors within the app. This feature keeps all procurement-related conversations organized and searchable, eliminating the need to switch between email and the purchasing system.
The approval workflow was designed to be intuitive and flexible, supporting multiple approval levels and delegation. Push notifications alert approvers to pending requests, and the entire approval chain is visible to all stakeholders for transparency.
Advanced reporting features allow managers to generate custom reports on spending, vendor performance, and inventory turnover. Data can be filtered by date range, product category, or vendor, and exported for further analysis in spreadsheet applications.
Multiple rounds of usability testing were conducted with store managers throughout the design process. Feedback was incorporated into iterative designs, resulting in a highly intuitive interface that requires minimal training for new users.