Blukard

Digitizing paper business cards to enhance professional networking

Overview

Blukard is an innovative digital platform aimed at digitizing the traditional paper business card experience by transforming it into a dynamic digital asset. This app is designed to boost networking opportunities and improve business visibility for both individual professionals and businesses.

Blukard app broadcasting and home screen

Problem statement

In a rapidly digitalizing world, traditional paper business cards are increasingly seen as outdated. They often get lost, are environmentally unfriendly, and fail to keep up with the dynamic nature of today’s professional connections. There’s also the challenge of enhancing visibility in competitive markets. Many professionals and small businesses struggle to find platforms that both increase their networking reach and give them space to showcase their services.

Research findings

I researched with 20 participants in the corporate and entrepreneur category. Findings revealed that;

Preventing card loss or damage
Avoiding inconvenient moments when users forget their cards,
Ensuring timely follow-ups with connection
Converting identities of businesses that have established a brand around their paper card to digital assets

and are top priorities for users.

Sticky notes outlining the design process

Solutions

From this research, Blukard’s core features were developed, ensuring that pain points were addressed. Users can:

Maintain brand identity: This addresses the challenge of transferring identities of paper cards to digital assets. Users can convert their existing paper cards to digital assets while maintaining their brand identities.

Enhance networking: By transitioning to digital cards, users can easily share their contact information via QR codes, or direct links reducing the chances of losing important connections

Chat with connections: An in app chat feature was conceived to ensure timely and convenient follow up with connects

Marketplace: Users can also showcase their services and businesses on Blukard’s marketplace, allowing for greater visibility and reach within a broader audience.

Flowchart showing the user journey on the app

Wireframe & Visual Designs

I proceeded with implementing the low-fi concepts for blukard’s features based off of research findings. Once the low-fi concepts were approved, I then worked on digitalising the designs.

Network Enhancing

Implementing the share card option to allow users easily share their digital cards via their preferred methods thereby reducing chances of inconvenient moments

Brand Identity Maintenance

Utilising the snapshot option to allow users who already built an identity around their paper card to maintain same while transitioning to digital assets

Market place

Implementing the marketplace feature to enhance visibility for business professionals within their vicinity

Prompt communication

Users can easily follow up with connections directly in-app, ensuring timely and efficient networking.

Referral, Broadcasting, Business and Market screens on Blukard web app

Subscription, Market, Chat and FAQ screens on Blukard web app

Reflection

One of the challenges I faced was the case of transitioning users business identity, which was built around their paper cards, to digital ones. There were several issues, especially with users who had more complex card designs. To address this, I teamed up with the Development lead. We focused on what was most important to the users, allowing us to meet the product deadlines while continuing to work on the best long-term solution. As Blukard grows in the market, I’ll continue to focus on iterative improvements based on user needs to drive growth.

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