F.G. PHOTO STUDIO

How can FashionGo improve
the seller buying experience by offering
vendors a new photography service?

PRODUCT

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Background

FashionGo’s marketplace success depends on product imagery, but most sellers lack in-house capability to produce consistent, on-trend photos. Outsourcing was common, yet the experience was often expensive and difficult to navigate due to manual processes and unclear pricing. This project was needed to turn product photography into an accessible platform service that sellers could use quickly and confidently. As listing quality varied widely, buyers hesitated to purchase and smaller vendors struggled to compete—creating a direct risk to conversion, perceived trust, and seller retention.

Problem

Many small and mid-sized FashionGo vendors struggled to produce trendy, high-quality product images. Traditional photo services were costly (often $2,000+ per session), hard to access for sellers outside major cities, and required heavy coordination—making it difficult to maintain strong visuals and compete online.

Solution

Built and launched FashionGo Photo Studio, a platform-native photography service designed for fashion e-commerce. Sellers could complete the entire flow inside the vendor admin—browse models, select shoot dates, and receive instant quotes—making ordering faster and more predictable. The differentiated value was combining trend-aligned quality with frictionless access and transparent pricing, so premium visuals became attainable for smaller vendors.

STRATEGY

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01. What to Achieve

Frame Question

• How can we help sellers get on-trend product photos quickly and affordably?

Outcomes

• Raise marketplace image quality standards across FashionGo Platform

• Support buyer acquisition by improving product visuals and perceived trust

• Strengthen seller retention by making FashionGo the default partner for product imaging

02. Where to Play

• Target: vendors without in-house photography resources, especially outside major fashion hubs

• Focus: the end-to-end ordering experience (model selection → scheduling → quote → order submission)

• Priority needs: brand-fit models, fast turnaround, clear pricing, minimal coordination overhead

03. How to Win

• Affordable access to diverse model selection: Sellers can choose from a wide range of models that match their brand identity—without paying premium studio rates or spending time sourcing models themselves.

• Fast, predictable ordering with instant quotes: Sellers get clear pricing upfront and can book shoots quickly, reducing back-and-forth coordination and helping them launch products on time.

• Less operational disruption: By removing manual studio communication and unclear workflows, sellers spend less time managing shoots and more time running their business.

04. Capabilities to Implement

• Build a simplified ordering UX with clear terminology, sequencing, and information hierarchy

• Scale operational capacity to handle higher daily order volume

• Partner with model agencies to expand model options aligned to different brand styles

• Enable broader coverage through shipping/logistics partnerships

• Use FashionGo marketing channels to drive awareness and adoption

05. Management System to Grow

• Track user confusion and drop-offs using N-click analytics

• Run A/B tests to refine terminology, ordering sequence, and information hierarchy

• Maintain an iteration loop: measure → test → learn → ship improvements

06. Next Step / Future Foresight

• Expand the service nationwide beyond Los Angeles to support FashionGo’s 10,000+ B2B sellers

• Leverage LA fashion resources (models, styling, production) to serve rural/suburban sellers

• Increase model variety and shoot concepts to match different brand identities and trends

• Improve logistics partnerships to reduce turnaround time and broaden coverage

• Build a scalable operating model to grow volume without sacrificing quality

F.G. MULTIMEDIA SERVICE

How can FashionGo enhance
the B2B purchasing experience
with multimedia content?

PRODUCT

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Background

FashionGo’s model had long depended on commissions and ads from a small set of large sellers, which weakened platform control. Post-acquisition, the company needed new services that scale buyer acquisition and retention to rebalance platform power. Multimedia content became the lever to simplify B2B evaluation and build trust at scale. Because B2B purchases carry higher risk and complexity, buyers need fast, reliable proof—multimedia can compress that evaluation effort and build trust at scale.

Problem

After the acquisition, FashionGo needed to reduce dependence on a small group of major sellers and regain platform control by growing and retaining a larger, more diverse buyer base. That required new services that increase buyer touchpoints and strengthen buyer relationships. To rebalance platform power, FashionGo needed to make repeat purchasing easier by reducing the buyer’s evaluation burden. At the same time, we found a key B2B friction: buyers struggle to verify product value, pricing, and regulatory compliance through clear, reliable information, which lowers trust and ultimately increases cancellations and returns.

Solution

Designed a multimedia service that turns complex B2B product details into easy buying guidelines and structured seller/product storytelling inside FashionGo. By making pricing, packaging, compliance, and credibility easier to understand and validate, the service reduces buyer uncertainty and supports stronger buyer relationships. This also increases platform control by standardizing how product credibility is communicated—beyond what any single seller can influence.

STRATEGY

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01. What to Achieve

Frame Question

• How can we increase buyer confidence by simplifying complex B2B product evaluation through multimedia?

Outcomes

• Expand product lines beyond apparel to unlock broader buyer demand

• Reduce cancellations, returns, and refunds by improving decision clarity

• Strengthen platform control by growing a healthier buyer/seller balance

02. Where to Play

• Start with beauty and cosmetics, where demand is large and product value can be demonstrated clearly

• Leverage relationships with Korean sellers and suppliers to accelerate sourcing and content creation

• Prioritize high-consideration categories where trust and compliance drive purchase decisions

03. How to Win

• Confidence before commitment: Buyers can understand product value, pricing logic, and compliance requirements through clear multimedia—reducing guesswork before placing large orders.

• Faster, easier evaluation: Infotainment-style guidelines help buyers grasp complex details quickly, shortening the research time needed to compare options.

• Lower purchase risk: By clarifying packaging, regulations, and seller credibility, buyers can make decisions with fewer surprises, which reduces cancellations and returns.

04. Capabilities to Implement

• Build a platform-controlled multimedia server to protect exclusive B2B information

• Establish a compliance process to validate safety and federal/state regulation alignment

• Set up a production pipeline leveraging model agency partnerships for short-form content

• Manage distribution channels including direct delivery to relevant buyer cohorts

05. Management System to Grow

• Measure engagement through views, comments, and reviews as core success signals

• Improve participation with UX that makes reading and interacting effortless

• Maintain credibility with active moderation to prevent misleading or false signals

06. Next Step / Future Foresight

• Launch a FashionGo Verified Item badge to provide a clear trust guideline for B2B buyers

• Use verification to increase buyer retention and acquisition through stronger credibility

• Grow vendor participation as the buyer base expands, strengthening platform governance

• Use the verification layer as a foundation to expand additional buyer-facing services

CVIEW

How can CARPOOS ease
the stressful car buying experience
and make it enjoyable?

PRODUCT

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Background

In 2012, CARPOOS sponsored research on how mobile apps were changing consumer decision-making as smartphones became mainstream. Research showed people used smartphones to seek validation and connect with communities, while dealer interviews highlighted the need for better customer interaction through an app. This project used those insights to reframe car buying as a guided, confidence-building experience led by the buyer. This suggested that the best mobile experience would help buyers validate ‘fit’ early—before dealer pressure begins.

Problem

Buying a car is a high-stakes decision, and many buyers lack car expertise—especially in pre-owned purchases where fear of overpaying is high. Dealer-driven interactions can add pressure, making it harder for customers to compare options calmly and feel confident about their final choice.

Solution

Concepted CVIEW, an augmented reality mobile app that lets customers visualize cars in their lifestyle context before stepping into a dealership. The differentiated value was shifting control to the buyer: users could explore, compare, and share options with decision helpers—reducing dealer pressure while making the journey more engaging. By pairing AR previews with structured comparison and shareable info cards, buyers could validate options with advisors before committing.

STRATEGY

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01. What to Achieve

Frame Question

• How can CARPOOS help buyers feel in control of car-buying decisions through an app?

Outcomes

• Shift CARPOOS from print-centric materials to a digital experience across channels

• Build a connected ecosystem linking buyers, dealers, and decision helpers through trusted interactions

• Expand services by partnering with third parties (insurance, loans, accessories) to create a scalable platform model

02. Where to Play

• Focus on the discovery-to-decision stage where uncertainty is highest and pressure derails decisions

• Target buyers who want structure and reassurance, including those relying on advisors and communities

• Use AR to translate “fit for my life” into a concrete evaluation signal, not just specs and photos

03. How to Win

• Pressure-free exploration: Buyers can preview and shortlist cars before dealer contact, reducing anxiety and enabling more trusted interactions.

• Lifestyle-first visualization: AR makes “fit” tangible—helping users see how a car matches real life, not just specs.

• Trusted decision support: Sharing flows bring in helpers (e.g., mechanics) and advisors early, improving decision quality.

04. Capabilities to Implement

• Build an AR app that visualizes cars aligned to needs and lifestyle scenarios

• Create structured information cards and sharing flows for advisors and dealers

• Add comparison tools that capture feedback and reduce cognitive load

• Implement sorting logic based on user priorities to surface best-fit choices

• Design a simple UI for exploration, wishlists, and confident decision-making

05. Management System to Grow

• Monitor feature impact on confidence signals: comparisons completed, shares sent, wishlists created

• Track advisor participation (e.g., mechanics) and integrate verified decision helper pathways

• Analyze preference and behavior data to refine recommendations and unlock market insights

06. Next Step / Future Foresight

• Build a crowd-sourced car community connecting buyers, dealers, and sellers

• Add group features and interaction channels to strengthen trust and validation

• Partner with insurance and financing providers to expand into a full car-buying platform

• Extend AR to accessories and manufacturer integrations to deepen the evaluation experience