Kiss® Nail Art Printing
This project explores how to transform pediatric healthcare into an engaging, empathetic, and educational experience for young patients. By combining a mobile app and a wearable device, it tackles common challenges—such as anxiety, lack of understanding, and limited engagement—in order to create a more supportive atmosphere for children, parents, and medical professionals.
Project Role:
Solo Project in collaboration with the KISS® UI/UX Department
Deliverables:
User research, ideation, UX/UI design, prototype, and hardware concept
Time Frame:
15 weeks / 2023
Tools:
Figma, Miro, SolidWorks, KeyShot, AIGC
Context
Background
Starting from Sep 2022, I worked at KISS for Industrial design position. As a challenge to myself and a validation of my learning path, I offered to participate in the development and redesign of KISS nail measurement app.
KISS is a global leader in professional quality beauty products and treatments (especially nail care products), with iconic brands sold in over 100 countries worldwide.
About Kiss Nails App
With simply a snapshot, the KISS Nails revolutionizes nail care by offering precise measurements. Customers may quickly obtain their nails data by taking a photo of their hands next to a reference object. However, it provided no meaningful next step afterward. Consequently, user retention and in-app engagement were low.
Problems & Proposed Solutions
Limited Features: After users measured their nails, the app offered no direct path to view matching products or relevant services. Weak Community & Social Experience: There was no built-in community or social sharing, so users lacked motivation to return regularly. Hardware Gap: KISS sells numerous nail-care products, but no integrated path to use advanced tools (like nail printers) in the app.
Addressing these issues became the primary objective of this redesign: to unify measurement, product discovery, and a vibrant community into a single, cohesive experience.
Final Design
The New "KISS® Nails"
Research
Research Methods
Market Research
To understand industry trends and user expectations, I examined both direct competitors and multiple vendors offering innovative online or in-home beauty solutions.
User Survey
I conducted an online survey targeting 56 participants spanning DIY enthusiasts, beauty influencers, and nail professionals.
In-depth Interview
Building on the survey data, I performed 6 interviews with target audiences (DIY nail learners, beauty influencers, and nail technicians) and 2 expert interviews with seasoned professionals in the nail-care and beauty tech space.
Market Research Highlight
Insights
The global nail care market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by several key factors: the rise of social media influencers specializing in nail art, increasing consumer interest in beauty and self-care, and the growing demand for nail care products and tools. As a result, the industry has seen a surge in innovative nail care solutions, including new products, advanced equipment, and digital services. Notably, mobile applications tailored for both professionals and enthusiasts have emerged, catering to diverse needs and enhancing accessibility in nail care.
User Survey Highlight
In-depth Interview Highlight
Research Findings
User Needs
The platform serves a broad audience, from self-care enthusiasts to beauty professionals and educational institutions.
Users seek tools that facilitate learning and skill development through tutorials, interactive experiences, or industry insights.
Users want to stay updated with the latest nail care and design trends, while also having the ability to customize trends to match their unique styles. They expect dynamic recommendations based on their preferences and past interactions.
Engagement goes beyond individual use—users seek connection with like-minded users, professionals, and mentors, they want their designs to be seen, shared and discussed.
Users value innovation and expect advanced technology-enhanced features, such as virtual nail try-ons.
Opportunity
Incorporate structured learning paths, expert-led content, and exploratory features to support different skill levels.
Implement AI-driven trend recommendations, user-customizable design templates, and interactive inspiration boards.
Integrate community forums, design-sharing features, and interactive Q&A spaces to enhance engagement.
Optimize AR functionality for realistic, user-friendly try-ons and explore any .
Explore instant-print nail technology, smart adhesive solutions, or rapid DIY application methods to shorten the time between ideation and wearing the final product.
Development
Persona
Insights & Opportunities
Quick, engaging lessons that seamlessly move from measuring nails to trying new designs.
Automatic suggestions based on users skill level and available time.
In-app challenges, user-generated style boards, or influencer-hosted events to keep audiences excited.
Quick, professional-level results that can be documented and shared instantly.
Storyboard - User Scenario
Getting insights from previous research & development parts—highlighting the core user flow derived from our findings. From choosing nail shapes and measuring nails in-app, to finalizing designs and using the nail printer, it demonstrates a seamless experience envisioned in the redesign.
Card Sorting
I prepared 120 cards to represent the existing and expected main features of Kiss Nails.
The purpose of this activity was to demonstrate whether the previous users' demands could be the basis for the next step of Information architecture and mental model.
Information Architecture
Before turning to interface design, I distilled all of the research findings into a comprehensive information architecture. This step clarified the structure and flow of the app by aligning user mental models with the overall goals of the project.
Key features like nail measurement, product discovery, and community engagement were organized based on user priorities revealed during the card sorting exercise.
The result is a streamlined hierarchy and navigation system that ensures users can easily move from measurement to shopping, design experiments, nail pattern printing and social sharing.
Nail Printer Concept Design
The printer is inspired by a handbag and is functional, with storage space for nail care tools and a sturdy base that provides a comfortable tilt angle for users to secure their fingers in the machine.
Validation
Get critical feedback by giving presentations to the UIUX team.
Team Reactions & Feedbacks
KISS’ UI/UX department recognized the direct value of linking measurements to recommended nail art sets. The team was intrigued by the concept of a nail art printer that could quickly print out the nail patterns created by users in the app. The team was particularly interested in trying to launch an online community platform for sharing, downloading, and even purchasing nail art designs.
Learnings
Challenges
Balance of Features providing too many advanced features may overwhelm first-time users. Iterative design and user testing are key. However, because this project is more of a spontaneous exploration and research, it is not possible to obtain sufficient Usability Testing.
Technical Feasibility Integrating hardware (nail printer) requires not only understanding application design, but also understanding product engineering constraints. Because the finger needs to be fixed in the machine during the use of the nail printer, it is also important to ensure user trust in the product and safe finger insertion.
Community Engagement Building a community from scratch is challenging. Influential partnerships and consistent content review will be key success factors. Perhaps more influencers with experience in related fields can be interacted and cooperated.