INK-IT app screenINK-IT app screenINK-IT app screen
INK-IT app screenINK-IT app screen
INK-IT app screenINK-IT app screenINK-IT app screen
INK-IT app screenINK-IT app screenINK-IT app screen
INK-IT app screenINK-IT app screen
INK-IT app screenINK-IT app screenINK-IT app screen

INK-IT

Team
Solo work
Chen Cohen
UX-UI, Research
Instructor
Ira Shtrom
Nir Yenni
Timeline
4 m.

People are not sure about the idea and the look of their next tattoo, despite the existing overload of imagery online.

Background

The tattoo process

Coming up with an Idea for your next tattoo can be a complex process. there's so much freedom in deciding on what it could be, and a permanent impact on our looks.
Whether you get a tattoo just for the aesthetic, or mainly for its meaning, you search for inspiration. The tattoo artist will help to refine the idea from the initial inspiration and tailor the tattoo to the body's curves.

Research is based on information gathering, surveys given for the tattood & tattoo interested, as well as interviews with several tattoo artists at boutique tattoo.

Planning for a future
tattoo, can be challenging.

1
Limitations to creating a tattoo sketch, for those having no artistic background
2
No prior visualization of how the tattoo sketch will look on the body
3
Unsure tattoo customers are causing tattoo artists to lose energy and work hours
Providing the zoo management and the zookeepers, the ability to give their best treatment for all animals.

Create
your own sketches

Final product
The app allows for inspiration collection while storing it either as visual, or textual values at your control.
Sourcing from the collected elements, you can generate tattoo sketches, and try them out on your body. Ink-it will help you make the decision, whether this concept can become the base for your next tattoo.
Better viewd tilted (tilted phone icon)
Better viewd tilted (tilted phone icon)
Better viewd tilted (tilted phone icon)
INK-IT app screen
Gather visual and textual inspiration
INK-IT app screen
Use inspiration data to generate tattoo sketch variations
INK-IT app screen
Test on your body selected tattoo sketches
INK-IT app screen
Inspiration gathering board view
on the tilted phone

How did I come up
with the solution?

Thinking about copyright
and the effects on tattoo artists

Using AI & moral
questioning

The AI can source from any image or text that is collected online, therefore we need to avoid harming copyrights. It can be done by generating outputs that are fairly different from the the original imaging.
In addition, I made sure that the created imagery acts as only an initial sketch, and is not a replacement for the tattoo artist.
The artists are the ones who will take the visual information - the idea, size, color, and placement, to translate it as an inspiration for the actual tattoo creation.

Meeting the needs
of every user

It's important to meet the needs of every single individual, without influencing their decisions.
To ensure that, I've created INK-IT as a smart, mobile suited mood board, that can be viewed both as a list and as a board, by a phone tilt.

Understanding the users

week 1-2

It all started in understanding how the zoo works,
We relied on Safari Ramat Gan, as a case study.

We got to know the structure, daily life, and the goals,
of the manager and the zookeeper.

Understanding the users

week 1-2

It all started in understanding how the zoo works,
We relied on Safari Ramat Gan, as a case study.

We got to know the structure, daily life, and the goals,
of the manager and the zookeeper.

Process
+ Research drafts

Valuable conclusions
from research findings

56%
About half of the tattood care to know their tattoo style
Design system INK-IT Icon anchor
Do the tattood, know their tattoo styles?
Design system INK-IT Icon anchor
49%
Will choose to plan ahead
Design system INK-IT Icon star
Are tattoos planned in advance?
Design system INK-IT Icon star
79%
Inspired by personal achievement or an event
Design system INK-IT Icon heart
What is the most common tattoo motivation?
Design system INK-IT Icon heart
Is there a tendency to get multiple tattoos?
88%
Will not stop after having their first tattoo
Design system INK-IT Icon crown
Design system INK-IT Icon crown
71%
Will care for multiple tattoos to have a similar look
Design system INK-IT Icon bloom
Is there an aspiration to receive tattoos in the same style?
Design system INK-IT Icon bloom
50%
Found it on Pinterest, while other half is spreaded
Design system INK-IT Icon eye
Where did you search for tattoo inspiration?
Design system INK-IT Icon eye
65%
Found it takes time, effort and requires a commitment
Design system INK-IT Icon butterfly
Why tattoo interested haven't had their first tattoo yet?
Design system INK-IT Icon butterfly
Interviews & surveys
of tattoo artists & tattoo enthusiasts
By immersing myself in the unique perspectives of both tattoo artists and enthusiasts, I uncovered key insights into the emotional and practical dynamics of the tattoo experience. This involved understanding their fears, limitations, preferences, and behaviors.
The tattoo journey
The primary goal in the research was to streamline the tattoo acquisition process. It required in-depth research into the various journeys individuals take.
I discovered there is a significant diversity in these experiences, yet identified three key steps that were consistent across all paths.
By focusing on these common stages, I will be able to create a solution that caters to the needs of tattoo enthusiasts, addressing the fundamental aspects of their tattoo journey.

The tattoo process
without INK-IT

1
Inspiration gathering
Gmail app
Gmail app
Gmail app
we search for a visual or contextual inspiration online
Search icon
2
Idea refinement
Linking a concept, or a visual that we discovered
Refinement
Cycle
Associative thinking about a concept that expresses what we'd like to express
Specifying the type selection of elements, that will be represented in the tattoo
3
Finish
translating the idea from our thoughts to the tattoo artist, usually included with a display of existing visuals found online.

7
Tattoo meanings

Interests
Identity &
Personality
Moments &
Memories
Wish to be
Significant people &
Animals
Beliefs &
Point of view
Values
Summarising meanings
While I made sure to simplify the various tattoo journeys to 3 key steps, there is another distinguishable aspect of the process.
Some tattoos are made with meaning in mind, while others hold no intended meaning.
To accompany those who would like to receive a tattoo with a meaning behind it, I made another simplification for the possible tattoo meanings to receive.
Identity & tattoo
Identity is tied to the concept of the "Self," which represents the totality of an individual's conscious and unconscious mind. That's how Carl Jung would see it.
I have used the identity principles of Carl Jung to deepen the psychological understanding of the need to receive a tattoo, as the concept of a tattoo is directly tied down to our relationship with our identity.
How can we?

Help the tattoo interested to come up with their next tattoo from the comfort of their phone.

User
Flow
1
Arrow links
2
Arrow links
3
Arrow links
4
Create a new tattoo board, by selecting a a path statement we resonate with.
Collecting visual, textual, and meanings inspiration to our tattoo board.
Based on our board, generate tattoo sketches by testing them out on our body.
Sharing the sketches with a tattoo artist.
Ver. 1/3
Laying down the foundation of the mood board map view and capabilities
Ver. 2/3
Testing quick output action, for tattoo sketch sourcing from the board
Ver. 3/3
Testing the implementation of self discovery insight, and using gamification
UI Design

Minimalistic & Bold

When shaping the app's visual identity,
I conducted visual research into tattoo styles, recognizing that tattoos are a dynamic art form with a wide range of evolving styles.
With the rise of AI-generated imagery, tattoo styles are expected to diversify further more in unexpected ways.

The challenge I faced,
was about conveying that the app is about tattoos without favoring one specific style, which could alienate certain users.
On the other side, attempting to integrate elements from every tattoo style would result in a visual identity that lacked cohesion.

The Old School
style solution

To address this,
I did drew inspiration from a specific tattoo style - "Old School" style, known for its thick black lines.

This solution maintains inclusivity,
by referencing a foundational tattoo style in a simplified, modern form, projecting the tattoo atmosphere without leaning into any one specific aesthetic.
The thick lines also symbolize durability, much like the technique in tattooing itself, reflecting the app’s focus on helping users make lasting tattoo choices.

Tattoo Meanings
Icons style

The icon system in the app, follows this same visual approach.
The icons are designed with consistent, simplified thick black lines, drawing from common symbols within the Western tattoo tradition.
This creates a cohesive look and feel while reinforcing the app’s connection to the tattoo world.

Now the tattoo process became simpler and more accessible.
INK-IT Icon
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UX-I
Olga
Martinov