Sharp
Barber Finder Mobile App
Overview
Sharp is a mobile app designed to make finding the right barber as easy as ordering a ride or meal. Inspired by platforms like Uber and DoorDash, Sharp acts as the middleman between users and local barbers—removing the uncertainty and anxiety of walking into an unfamiliar barbershop. For this project, I focused heavily on user research, conducting interviews, building personas, and mapping out user pain points to better understand the emotional and practical challenges people face when looking for a reliable haircut. Through competitive analysis of similar service-based apps, I identified opportunities for differentiation—like style-based filtering and personalized suggestions based on past haircuts. The result is a streamlined, intuitive experience that helps users confidently find barbers who match their preferences, style, and budget.
View prototypeThe Challenge
How might we remove the uncertainty of finding a trusted barber and make personalized haircuts more accessible and stress-free?
User Research
To inform the design of Sharp, I focused on two key research methods: a competitive analysis and the development of a single user persona. I analyzed four existing apps—YouCam Makeup, StyleSeat, Groom Barbershop, and Booksy—to identify gaps in the current market. While YouCam excelled in virtual try-ons, it lacked booking features. StyleSeat offered robust stylist networks but catered broadly to beauty services and charged client fees. Groom Barbershop was limited to men's cuts in specific cities, and Booksy lacked personalized style matching. These findings highlighted the need for a solution that combines visual style exploration with trustworthy, seamless booking.
To ground these insights, I created one detailed persona representing a user who wants consistent, stylish haircuts but struggles to find the right barber when relocating or trying something new. This persona emphasized trust, convenience, and personalization—key pillars that shaped Sharp's user experience and overall design direction.
A comparison of YouCam Makeup, StyleSeat, Groom Barbershop, and Booksy revealed gaps in personalization, communication, and style-matching tools. While some platforms offer booking and reviews, none combine all core features—such as virtual hairstyle previews and direct barber interaction—highlighting a unique opportunity for Sharp to stand out in the market.
John Smith, a college student from Chapel Hill, represents the target user: someone who values trust, style consistency, and ease when booking haircuts. His frustrations with miscommunication and fear of a "bad cut" emphasize the need for features like AI hairstyle previews, personalized barber matching, and a reliable booking system.