Case study
A loyalty app for local businesses — designed for low-bandwidth access and built for the Adobe Creative Jam.
At a glance
Before you scroll
- Role
- UX Designer
- Timeline
- 2021 Adobe × Instagram Design Contest
- Team
- Partner designer + cross-functional collaboration
Tools
Overview
Stamply is a digital loyalty app for Android that rewards users for shopping at small businesses locally. Built for the Adobe Creative Jam × Instagram competition, it won 1st place — praised for simplicity, community focus, and support for minority-owned businesses.
I partnered with another student designer to create the full experience — from research through high-fidelity prototype — with a explicit constraint: accessibility for users in low-bandwidth environments.
The problem
Customers juggle multiple loyalty programs across apps, leading to confusion and missed rewards. Small businesses — especially those without robust digital infrastructure — struggle to compete with chain loyalty programs.
“How might we help people discover and support local businesses through a loyalty experience that works even on slow connections?”
Process
We designed for users in low-bandwidth areas, which forced tradeoffs between simplicity and feature richness. Design thinking, user flows, and progressive fidelity — from text-only wireframes to a full Material Design system — kept the experience usable on slow connections.
- Result: 1st place
- Competition: Adobe × IG
- Constraint: Low bandwidth
Design thinking
We brainstormed user scenarios and applied design thinking to real-world access constraints — particularly for customers who couldn't rely on media-heavy interfaces.
User flow
I created a user flow map to streamline discovering small businesses nearby — emphasizing a rewarding, low-friction path from search to stamp collection.
Low-fidelity
Low-fidelity wireframes explored a text-only version of Stamply for low-bandwidth environments.
Medium-fidelity
Medium-fidelity wireframes followed, focused on maximum impact with minimal features.
Design system
We adapted Google Material Design, creating custom components in Adobe XD with complex interactions and microinteractions.
High-fidelity
High-fidelity screens brought the loyalty experience to life.
Solution
Explore & Search
Browse local BIPOC-owned businesses with flexible search and filters — find the types of businesses you want to support in your area.
Stamply Rewards
Earn digital stamps for supporting small businesses. Get rewarded for purchases you already make — without juggling another plastic card.
Lite Version
Optimized for low-bandwidth connectivity — essential information without heavy media, so the app remains usable on slow connections.
Outcome
Stamply won 1st place at the Adobe Creative Jam. Judges highlighted its engaging loyalty program and focus on minority-owned businesses.
1st place winner
In the words of our judges: "Highlighting minority-owned businesses is a lovely idea. I would definitely use this app."
“Highlighting minority-owned businesses is a lovely idea. I would definitely use this app.”
Looking ahead
If I revisited Stamply today, I'd refine the visual system for stronger community feel, integrate customer reviews, and explore a business-facing version with tailored profiles for shop owners.
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