Product tools / 2023
ME Photo Lab
Cross-platform photo editing extension.
ME Photo Lab is a flexible, cross-platform photo editor designed mostly for material suppliers and resellers. Effortlessly edit and standardize scanned and captured material images. It allows users to elevate their materials and make image management in Material Exchange platform easy.
the Problem
Why Are Some Materials Overlooked by Brands? The Influence of Image Editing Knowledge and Budget Constraints
During my regular observations and interviews with users from various backgrounds, I noticed a consistent pattern: Brands paid more attention to materials that looked good with attractive images and well-designed cards. This phenomenon is known as the Aesthetic Usability Effect, where people tend to judge content based on its appearance.
And here's the catch: Because of this phenomenon, brands didn't seem to pay as much attention to materials that didn't meet their visual standards. To understand why, I dug deeper.
After engaging in discussions with users, I understood the root cause of this unexpected behavior. It became obvious that many suppliers, especially smaller ones and individuals, faced significant challenges due to their limited image editing skills and budget constraints. These constraints prevented them from effectively utilizing quality image editing tools.
It's important to note that image editing softwares like Photoshop are quite complex for basic operations, such are crop or resize an image, and many material managers either aren't familiar with it or lack access due to licensing limitations.
the Problem
Objective
My objective is to enhance the Material Exchange Marketplace's image presentation capabilities by providing easy and intuitive design tool for material managers.
As a material manager, I want to be able to efficiently edit and enhance material thumbnails and gallery images, so that our materials are visually appealing to potential buyers and encourage engagement with our catalog. Also, I want to be able to batch process images for multiple materials, so that I can save time and maintain a consistent look across our extensive catalog of materials.
As a scanning manager in a manufacturing company, I want to be able to enhance the quality of scanned material images, so that our digital archive remains accurate and easy to access for historical reference.
As a material photographer, I want to be able to capture, edit, and upload images of materials directly through the app, simplifying the process of updating our catalog and providing our customers with accurate visuals.
Anticipated Transformations: The Impact of Our Image Editing Tool on Material Exchange
- With the implementation of my tool, I anticipate a substantial increase in material engagement. I predict that materials edited using my platform will experience a 30% boost in engagement, piquing the interest of brands and users alike.
- My analysis suggests that materials with professionally edited images and well-designed cards will exhibit a 20% improvement in conversion rates compared to non-enhanced materials.
- With the tool now available, I anticipate attracting and onboarding a larger number of small suppliers and individuals. My projections indicate a 40% growth in my supplier base within the first year of tool implementation.
- I predict a significant enhancement in user satisfaction as a direct result of this tool. I anticipate that 90% of my users will report an improved experience, noting that the tool makes it easier for them to create visually appealing materials.
- Brands are expected to demonstrate heightened interest in materials from a more diverse set of suppliers, including smaller businesses and individuals. My projections indicate a 25% increase in brand interactions with these suppliers.
When Hard Work Meets Unexpected Change
Despite two months of dedication and the creation of high-fidelity prototypes, a tough decision was made by the company to cut the project. It was determined that other critical priorities needed immediate attention.
Feedback
Davit was a great help on my project. Although the project had to change, I value Davit's contributions and hope to work together again.
Sergey TonoyanProduct Director at Material Exchange