InVintory
InVintory is an application designed to simplify wine collection management for collectors. It offers robust analytics and data insights, along with inventory management tools to help users track their collection effortlessly. Additionally, it provides precise information on the exact location of each bottle.
Product Lead
Jason Chong1PM + 3 Engineers
FigmaSplineIllustratorPhotoshopWeb-flow
2 Years+
Problem
While many know InVintory as a platform designed for wine collectors to organize and manage their collections, it became evident that users had evolving needs that extended beyond just cataloging bottles. As wine enthusiasts sought more community engagement, learning opportunities, and streamlined tools for tracking their collections, InVintory began exploring features like loyalty programs and delivery services to meet these demands.
Without significant marketing efforts, the platform has grown organically through word-of-mouth and referrals from dedicated collectors. Users have appreciated the app’s focus on collection management but often encounter limitations that restrict them from fully immersing in their wine experience.
As a result, the challenge for the team has been to reimagine the platform—enhancing its usability and value for existing users while laying the groundwork to attract a broader audience.
Role & Process
As the sole designer at a small startup, I worked closely with a product manager to shape the design process and solve user challenges effectively. In a resource-constrained environment, our collaborative approach emphasized user research, alignment across teams, and practical solutions to deliver a seamless product experience.
- Introduced a Design Requirement Document (DRD) to consolidate user insights from surveys, support tickets, forums, social media, sales feedback, and interviews.
- Aligned cross-functional teams on user needs and priorities using the jobs-to-be-done (JTBD) framework.
- Created a reusable component system with Tailwind UI and a variables-driven design system to ensure platform consistency and efficiency.
- Conducted structured in-person and remote usability testing sessions with wine collectors.
- Engaged the entire team in testing to validate designs and prioritize improvements based on direct user feedback.
Goals
While there was no shortage of potential features to build, we focused on truly understanding user needs to prioritize the features that would provide the most value. Our goals included:
1. Enable users to easily manage, locate, and organize bottles in their collection, so that they can optimize their space and enjoy a more organized experience.
2. Simplify and speed up the process of adding or removing bottles, so that users can save time and avoid frustration during routine updates to their collection.
3. Create a visually polished, high-end platform that inspires confidence and trust among users, so that they feel assured of the platform’s reliability and value.
4. Provide insights into the wines users own, including market prices and drink windows, so that they can make informed decisions and better appreciate the value of their collection.
Featured Projects
Below is an overview of several projects designed to address the needs outlined above for our sellers. I’d be happy to discuss the full process for each project, so feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat further.
SHORTCUTS:
3D Storage View
A 3D interface to manage and locate bottles, with detailed information directly in the view.
Wine Review Community
A feature for posting wine reviews and reading others’ in a community format.
✅ Next Step
The next steps for developing the web app of InVintory include expanding features to ensure parity with the iOS app and continuously gathering user feedback to improve usability. Introducing preference settings, such as customizing grouping options for collections, would provide flexibility for diverse user needs. Additionally, refining the add-bottle process and introducing bulk-editing tools could further streamline workflows. Future testing should focus on responsiveness and cross-device consistency to ensure a seamless experience across platforms.
🤔Highlights
A major highlight of this project was the opportunity to revamp and align the web app with user expectations while overcoming technical and design challenges. The dual-screen add-bottle flow stood out as an innovative feature, allowing users to manage details efficiently without overwhelming the interface. Collaborating closely with developers to ensure accurate implementation of complex features and validating designs through iterative testing with wine collectors were key milestones.
👍 I've learned...
Building InVintory’s web app taught me the importance of prioritizing user-centered design, especially when working within technical constraints. Understanding wine collectors' unique needs highlighted the value of in-depth research and A/B testing to validate assumptions. This project also reinforced the significance of communication with stakeholders and developers to strike a balance between design vision and feasibility. Above all, it emphasized that product development is an ongoing process of iteration, refinement, and constant alignment with user goals.
