Costco Redesign
Timeline
Sept - Dec 2025
Client
Jo-Nell Sieren
Role
UI Designer
Team
None
The Context
The Context
Upon installing the costco app for the first time, I immediately felt overwhelmed and lost in a sea of product placements and advertisements. I could not find the products that I would usually see at my local warehouse, and I could not find the option for same-day delivery.
Upon installing the costco app for the first time, I immediately felt overwhelmed and lost in a sea of product placements and advertisements. I could not find the products that I would usually see at my local warehouse, and I could not find the option for same-day delivery.
The Problem
The Problem
At the time, the Costco app felt like a newspaper filled with advertisements and randomly assorted product placements. I decided to redesign the Costco app to be more easier and convenient to use for online-only shoppers.
At the time, the Costco app felt like a newspaper filled with advertisements and randomly assorted product placements. I decided to redesign the Costco app to be more easier and convenient to use for online-only shoppers.
Constraints
Constraints
Not only did I tackle this redesign alone, but there was a lack of research budget and time. This led to less than ideal participants, as they did not have experience shopping through the Costco app.
With that being said, I decided that my user test’s were individuals who had a Costco membership, but also have experience with other online shopping apps.
Not only did I tackle this redesign alone, but there was a lack of research budget and time. This led to less than ideal participants, as they did not have experience shopping through the Costco app.
With that being said, I decided that my user test’s were individuals who had a Costco membership, but also have experience with other online shopping apps.
Research
Research
To elaborate on to my initial findings, I had a couple of users complete a series of simple tasks using the app.
I only had one week to find four participants with the following parameters:
Users who have a Costco membership
Has used the Costco app
No gender restrictions
Between the ages of 18-65
To elaborate on to my initial findings, I had a couple of users complete a series of simple tasks using the app.
I only had one week to find four participants with the following parameters:
Users who have a Costco membership
Has used the Costco app
No gender restrictions
Between the ages of 18-65
Insights
Insights
These three insights played a pivotal part in the design process.
These three insights played a pivotal part in the design process.
01
Fragmented same-day delivery experience
Users were frustrated by the need to use Instacart in a separate browser, leading to confusion over pricing, inventory, and checkout.
02
Confusing shopping and inventory management
Users were unable to purchase in-warehouse items through the app and had difficulty differentiating between grocery, warehouse, and shop tabs.
03
Inefficient and redundant navigation
Users encountered multiple and redundant pages, buttons, and categories, increasing click count and making it a hassle to find what they needed.
The Process
In order to explore a wide arrange of solutions, I employed the crazy 8’s method to generate initial wireframe sketches. Each sketch would target the key issues identified during the initial user testing and interviews.
To get a better understanding of each interaction and a smoother shopping flow, I created a paper prototype as it allowed for quick iteration and feedback. This would then get translated into a Figma prototype.
For this redesign, I was mostly focused on the functionality of the app, so I tried to make little changes to the style guide.
In order to explore a wide arrange of solutions, I employed the crazy 8’s method to generate initial wireframe sketches. Each sketch would target the key issues identified during the initial user testing and interviews.
To get a better understanding of each interaction and a smoother shopping flow, I created a paper prototype as it allowed for quick iteration and feedback. This would then get translated into a Figma prototype.
For this redesign, I was mostly focused on the functionality of the app, so I tried to make little changes to the style guide.
Design Proposals
Design Proposals
In order to make a smoother shopping experience, I proposed that same-day delivery should stay in the app itself.
Whatever warehouse a user selects, it should display the products found in that warehouse.
Furthermore, the shopping flow stays on the Costco app, rather than launching an instacart browser.
Many users also liked seeing the warehouse page, as they aren't greeted with excessive ads, so I decided to make that the homepage.
In order to make a smoother shopping experience, I proposed that all the products typically found in their warehouse can be found in the app itself. It should also list products by war Furthermore, the shopping flow stays on the Costco app, rather than launching an instacart browser.
Outcome
Outcome
A streamlined shopping flow and app for Costco's loyal members. Online only shoppers can now have an experience that's similar to being in the warehouse itself!
A streamlined shopping flow and app for Costco's loyal members. Online only shoppers can now have an experience that's similar to being in the warehouse itself!
Reflection
Reflection
This was my starting point in the realm of UI/X, and there was so much to learn. By learning how to ask open ended questions, I can remove my own personal biases and learn how others feel when using a product. It allows me to approach problems and come up with design solutions based off actual pain points.
Furthermore, learning how to use figma was the biggest hurdle as I knew that I was not making these wireframes as efficiently as possible. This made me realize that I have a long way to go, but also a next goal to strive for:
Build up my Figma Prototyping skills, so that I can be as efficient as possible while making visuals that are up to industry standard.
This was my starting point in the realm of UI/X, and there was so much to learn. By learning how to ask open ended questions, I can remove my own personal biases and learn how others feel when using a product. It allows me to approach problems and come up with design solutions based off actual pain points.
Furthermore, learning how to use figma was the biggest hurdle as I knew that I was not making these wireframes as efficiently as possible. This made me realize that I have a long way to go, but also a next goal to strive for:
Build up my Figma Prototyping skills, so that I can be as efficient as possible while making visuals that are up to industry standard.
Did we just become friends?
Let's talk up some new ideas, collaborate, or try out all these restaurants that I have bookmarked! Hit me up through here:
Did we just become friends?
Let's talk up some new ideas, collaborate, or try out all these restaurants that I have bookmarked! Hit me up through here:
