COMICS APP RECONFIG
CLZ started by offering collectors a comprehensive data base to search for comics. Collectors could then catalog their own collections in both web and app format. Their next product was CLZ Music. This of course, became a database for music--as a separate product. But what if you wanted to combine these two products into one simple app? Why not have just one place for collectors to find their "stuff"? Imagine a customer needing an app for CLZ Toys + an app for CLZ Games + an app for CLZ Games...etc. etc....are customers expected to download an app for each of these as well and pay the yearly fee that goes with each individual product? Below is an initial pitch to combine all services starting with Vinyl Records…
What you see below is the walkthrough for swapping collections between comic book collections. It's an app unto itself only of comics. Fairly straightforward. I didn't like the icons that are supposed to look like servers (see fig 2)? They looked like stacked pancakes (next to Iron Man and Batman Collections). Joking aside, icon use here is fairly important, I felt, to differentiate between collections.
The challenge is to combine products (Comics, Records, Books, etc) while at that same time, making it easy to differentiate between products and as a brief caveat-- "Don't re-invent the visual style."
NEW ICONS (but sparingly, please)
We've now created the division, top layer, between Comics and Records solidifying with new icons.
Cue The Talent, Please.
When we start a new record collection, I like to give written cues to remind a customer their "bucket is empty". Time to fill it! Notice the "cornflower" color indicative of the music app now reminds us what 'realm of collecting' we are in. (no longer in comics).
So Many Choices…
Giving the user a check box choice from here might seem redundant (aren't we already in the records section?) but I wanted to give them the option to jump over to Comics or Toys instead. This is a two-fold strategy:
a). if they change their minds they can start a new collection in other categories.
b). If the user didn't know they could add toys as well, they do now!
Nature Abhors a Vacuum…
Once we create an empty bucket...time to fill it. The Album search gives up the album we want to add first. In this case "Hounds of Love" by Kate Bush. Once selected, more information is down the page (not shown past the fold) Details like what size record, record label, number of songs, song titles, etc.
Details…Details…
Once the Album is added to the user's database, the image of the cover is added in the background as a minor "bonus" for collecting the album. There is also now a PERSONAL section for the user for their ratings, and even personal notes they can type in about said album. The need to have a personal notes section could fiercely be debated as to its legitimacy, but I felt like many users that are willing to pay a yearly fee to database their record collections are serious collectors that really connect with their music--so anything to add a personal touch is a good thing--so long as the coding time is minimal.
Below is a bird’s eye view of the walk through (from left to right)
