The challenge of developing Ask Balto laid in addressing the diverse needs of pet owners, who care for a wide variety of animals, each with unique health and care requirements. Incorporating complex veterinary information into an easy-to-use diagnostic tool required careful attention to accuracy and clarity. Additionally, creating a distinctive brand identity that would stand out and resonate with users was a key challenge throughout the design process.

The branding process began with thorough brand exploration, including moodboards and an analysis of the mission, vision, and brand archetypes. From there, a comprehensive brand book was created, detailing color palettes, typography, and visual design guidelines. We also developed a distinctive logo that captures the brand’s identity - playful yet clear and informative - ensuring a strong and memorable presence.

The XD process involved recruiting diverse pet owners through online tools for in-depth interviews. Feedback was gathered both online and offline to understand how users care for their pets and identify gaps in available resources. This valuable input directly informed and shaped the design solutions, ensuring the tool effectively meets real user needs.

The project resulted in comprehensive and detailed design mockups, wireframes, and UI layouts for both web and mobile platforms. Each design included clear annotations and guidelines to ensure consistency. Close collaboration with the development team and stakeholders from the outset helped streamline the handoff and ensured a smooth implementation process.