Abyssal
Year
2023
Services
Branding
Client
CSUEB
Intro
Abyssal is a mobile app concept designed to blend brutalist aesthetics with a seamless fashion experience, catering to the emo, grunge, and alternative streetwear audience. This project aimed to challenge conventional e-commerce interfaces by embracing raw, unfiltered design choices while maintaining a functional and intuitive user experience. The app provides curated fashion pieces, interactive voice navigation, and a minimalist dark-themed UI, setting it apart from mainstream retail platforms.
Process
The design process began with user research to understand the preferences of the target audience. Key steps included: • Moodboarding & Visual Research – Drawing inspiration from brands like Off-White, Drop Dead, and BLVCK to define the brutalist style. • Wireframing & UI Development – Implementing stark contrasts, rigid grids, and asymmetric layouts to reflect the brutalist identity. • User Testing & Feedback – Conducting tests to measure engagement and user satisfaction, ensuring that the raw aesthetic didn’t compromise usability.
Goal
The development of Abyssal has provided valuable insights into the intersection of brutalist design and user-centered experiences. By testing engagement and usability, this project demonstrated how visual rebellion can coexist with practical functionality, creating an app that speaks directly to its niche audience while maintaining accessibility and ease of use.
Result
The objective was to create an unconventional yet functional e-commerce experience that resonates with an audience drawn to brutalism, minimalism, and alternative culture. Success was measured through: • User Engagement Rate (78%) – Tracking how users interacted with the app’s key features. • Satisfaction Score (85%) – Gathering feedback on the balance between aesthetic appeal and ease of use.