Champion Rulebook

BRANDING | DESIGN RESEARCH | MOBILE APP

A closed white and gray box with the person icon and text, 'CHROME' on it.

The Champion Rulebook is an internal mobile app concept designed to support retail workers in their day-to-day operations. With features like time tracking, sales goal monitoring, and direct manager messaging, the app lightens the workload of in-store employees, especially during peak retail stress.

DESIGNING THE EXPERIENCE
As a former Champion retail employee, I designed a mobile app that addresses real workplace challenges: starting with the tedious new POS clock-in process. The app streamlines communication, scheduling, and goal tracking; offering a smart, versatile tool to empower frontline workers.

WHO WE’RE SPEAKING TO
Retail workers across Champion stores, from floor staff to assistant managers, seeking efficient, intuitive tools to manage their workday.

DESIGN/USER RESEARCH
Alfredo Palacios

BRANDING
Alfredo Palacios

UI DESIGN
Alfredo Palacios

COPYWRITING
Alfredo Palacios

TRUST THE PROCESS

Before landing on a visual brand for the app, I first defined the core parameters:

  • Who is this app for?

  • What problems does it solve?

  • How will it solve them?

This app is designed for all Champion retail workers, regardless of role. Key issues included a lengthy system login, lack of centralized communication, and no easy access to a “source of truth” for store procedures. Using IBM’s Enterprise Design Thinking framework, I grounded the project in user intention and real-world needs.

Initial research began by gathering assumptions and feedback from employees around the newly introduced P.O.S. system.

A presentation slide titled 'Research | Assumptions and Questions' with two sections: assumptions on the left in blue, and questions on the right in pink. Assumptions include points like 'Faster, better,' 'More advanced,' and 'It'll be efficient.' Questions include 'Will it be hard to learn?' and 'Can we do multitasking functions?'
A research diagram illustrating a 'Risk and Certainty' matrix with notes in pink and blue, questions, and solutions on a grid dividing high and low risk and certain and uncertain categories.

I conducted interviews with Champion employees (managers, sales associates, and others) to identify recurring pain points. Empathy Maps for each interviewee were created to find overlapping patterns/pain points, and opportunities for improvement.

Research document titled 'Empathy Maps, Managers' with a section for Angela Bell. Contains sticky notes with comments on biometric login systems, including 'Angela shows keen interest in biometrics for ease,' and details on her thoughts, feelings, and actions related to biometric technology. The notes discuss security, ease of use, and alternatives, with sections labeled 'Says,' 'Does,' 'Thinks,' and 'Feels.'
A research empathy map for Matthew Page with notes on what he says, thinks, feels, and does related to sales associates and technology.

From the interviews, I crafted “Needs” statements based on recurring themes. This helped prioritize user requirements and ensure a smoother, more intuitive experience.

The top need across roles: a simple, efficient log-in process.

A research needs statement table with two columns labeled 'Need' and 'Benefit'. The 'Need' column contains red-colored sticky notes with various user needs such as less employee PIN numbers, easier clock-in, effortless login, faster sales logging, 10-digit PIN, feature-rich login, and user-friendly logging method. The 'Benefit' column has green-colored sticky notes detailing benefits like faster login, less stress, ease of executing, second nature memory, no need for cheat sheets, helpful for multiple issues, and less disruption, all attributed to Alfredo Palacios.
A graphic titled 'Research | Needs Statement' with various colored sticky notes. The notes mention themes like faster log in, simplicity, addressing multiple issues, minimizing disruptions, less or no need for employee PINs, and less employee confusion, with specific notes under each theme.
Research presentation slide with questions related to employee management and security features, including sticky notes with questions about store features, biometric authentication, security, and logging methods.

IDEATION AND APP DIRECTION

Through a round of “How might we…” questions, I identified the opportunity for a mobile app: a centralized platform where employees can access key functions with ease.

This also revealed secondary needs, like tailored pathways and experiences based on employee level, and the importance of personalization.

LOOKING FOR A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE FULL RESEARCH?

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BRANDING FIT FOR CHAMPIONS

  • A gradient was created to give the application a light refresh in order to stand out against other Champion touchpoints (in-store signage, P.O.S. system visuals, etc)

  • Noto Sans in varying fonts helps tie together a cohesive identity

CREATIVITY IN ACTION

The result: a modern, casual-toned mobile app that supports Champion retail employees across their shifts. NFC-enabled clock-ins streamline the login process, while features like shift stats, internal messaging, and an emergency “panic” button empower employees, all in just a few taps.

A smartphone screen displaying an app interface with the text 'WORK HARD' and 'PLAY HARDER'. A large logo of the Champion brand is shown, with an instruction below to hold the phone on the register to clock in. The background is purple, and the right side features white text with instructions to get started in seconds.
Multiple smartphones displaying the Champion app interface, including screens with welcome message, success screen, sales data, next break timer, and clock out button.
Digital app display showing sales data for a store cashier shift from 2:00 PM to 7:30 PM, with store and individual sales goals and a list of sales by employees, on a smartphone screen against a purple background.