Depop Auction
Depop Auction
Depop Auction
Implementing a live auction feature on the Depop app
Implementing a live auction feature on the Depop app
ROLE
Product Designer
DURATION
May - Jun 2026
TOOLS
Figma
Figma Jam
Project overview
Project overview
Project overview
Explored the implementation of and Auction feature on Depop to help sellers with visibility and sell faster.
Explored the implementation of and Auction feature on Depop to help sellers with visibility and sell faster.
Explored the implementation of and Auction feature on Depop to help sellers with visibility and sell faster.
Features preview
Features preview
Features preview
The problem
The problem
The problem
Fashion resale marketplaces rely heavily on algorithm-driven visibility and popularity, which makes it difficult for new sellers to be seen and sell.
Fashion resale marketplaces rely heavily on algorithm-driven visibility and popularity, which makes it difficult for new sellers to be seen and sell.
Fashion resale marketplaces rely heavily on algorithm-driven visibility and popularity, which makes it difficult for new sellers to be seen and sell.
On fashion resale platforms it can be very difficult for new or first-time sellers to make their first sale without visibility or existing demand. Listings can remain unsold for weeks, months, or even longer without buyers, which can quickly becomes frustrating for users who join these platforms to earn extra income as many of these platforms advertise.
On fashion resale platforms it can be very difficult for new or first-time sellers to make their first sale without visibility or existing demand. Listings can remain unsold for weeks, months, or even longer without buyers, which can quickly becomes frustrating for users who join these platforms to earn extra income as many of these platforms advertise.
On fashion resale platforms it can be very difficult for new or first-time sellers to make their first sale without visibility or existing demand. Listings can remain unsold for weeks, months, or even longer without buyers, which can quickly becomes frustrating for users who join these platforms to earn extra income as many of these platforms advertise.
how can we create immediate demand without relying on popularity ?
how can we create immediate demand without relying on popularity ?
how can we create immediate demand without relying on popularity ?
Introducing a live auction feature on Depop that allows users to :
Introducing a live auction feature on Depop that allows users to :
Introducing a live auction feature on Depop that allows users to :
Business Opportunity
Business Opportunity
Business Opportunity
Livestream shopping is gaining traction among younger audiences, with the global live commerce industry projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030 (Dazed Digital). At the same time, interest in resale fashion continues to rise, with a 104% increase in searches for secondhand-related terms, driven largely by Gen Z seeking “unique and hard-to-find items”(Refinery29). With that, these shifts create a real opportunity for fashion resale platforms to move beyond passive, algorithm-driven discovery by introducing interactive selling experiences that can not only increase visibility but also highly boost conversions.
Livestream shopping is gaining traction among younger audiences, with the global live commerce industry projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030 (Dazed Digital). At the same time, interest in resale fashion continues to rise, with a 104% increase in searches for secondhand-related terms, driven largely by Gen Z seeking “unique and hard-to-find items”(Refinery29). With that, these shifts create a real opportunity for fashion resale platforms to move beyond passive, algorithm-driven discovery by introducing interactive selling experiences that can not only increase visibility but also highly boost conversions.
Livestream shopping is gaining traction among younger audiences, with the global live commerce industry projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030 (Dazed Digital). At the same time, interest in resale fashion continues to rise, with a 104% increase in searches for secondhand-related terms, driven largely by Gen Z seeking “unique and hard-to-find items”(Refinery29). With that, these shifts create a real opportunity for fashion resale platforms to move beyond passive, algorithm-driven discovery by introducing interactive selling experiences that can not only increase visibility but also highly boost conversions.
User research
User research
User research
What expectations and concerns might users have toward a live auction on a fashion resell platform ?
What expectations and concerns might users have toward a live auction on a fashion resell platform ?
What expectations and concerns might users have toward a live auction on a fashion resell platform ?
To get specific insights on users expectations about live auctions i interviewed a total of 19 college students who are active and new sellers on Depop . From it i was able to uncover the major concerns users had about auctions and overall perceptions surrounding auction-based selling experiences.
To get specific insights on users expectations about live auctions i interviewed a total of 19 college students who are active and new sellers on Depop . From it i was able to uncover the major concerns users had about auctions and overall perceptions surrounding auction-based selling experiences.
Revisting the problem
Revisting the problem
Revisting the problem
How might we make it easier for seller and buyer to sell faster on Depop while preserving transparency
How might we make it easier for seller and buyer to sell faster on Depop while preserving transparency
How might we make it easier for seller and buyer to sell faster on Depop while preserving transparency
Using affinity maps to sort out the user needs. I was then able to generate 3 problems that each addressed the main goal of making the experience easier
Using affinity maps to sort out the user needs. I was then able to generate 3 problems that each addressed the main goal of making the experience easier
Comp. Analysis
Comp. Analysis
Comp. Analysis
What competitors are doing and where the gaps are.
What competitors are doing and where the gaps are.
To inform the design of the live auction I took inspirations from current auctions and live shopping platforms like whatnot, invaluable auction and silco while analyzing were gaps remains to open room for improvement
To inform the design of the live auction I took inspirations from current auctions and live shopping platforms like whatnot, invaluable auction and silco while analyzing were gaps remains to open room for improvement
User Journey
User Journey
User Journey
Where would the feature exist ?
Where would the feature exist ?
Getting into the structure of the Depop app the feature was nested into two spot for fast access ; under sell and under the user account profile
Getting into the structure of the Depop app the feature was nested into two spot for fast access ; under sell and under the user account profile
Ideations
Ideations
Ideations
Sketching the live auction
Sketching the live auction
After the structure was cleared i began by sketching the screens to get a good ideas of what the user experience would look like i then followed with mid fidelity designs using the depop design system to stay on track
After the structure was cleared i began by sketching the screens to get a good ideas of what the user experience would look like i then followed with mid fidelity designs using the depop design system to stay on track
HI-FI Designs
HI-FI Designs
HI-FI Designs
Designing the solutions
Integrated an AI assistant feature within the design that scans for any potential damage beyond the description. The report can be accessed under every listing to reinforce trust between buyers and sellers, given the nature of auction-based sales with results being able to be contested by sellers in case of any AI mismatch.
Integrated an AI assistant feature within the design that scans for any potential damage beyond the description. The report can be accessed under every listing to reinforce trust between buyers and sellers, given the nature of auction-based sales with results being able to be contested by sellers in case of any AI mismatch.
Integrated an AI assistant feature within the design that scans for any potential damage beyond the description. The report can be accessed under every listing to reinforce trust between buyers and sellers, given the nature of auction-based sales with results being able to be contested by sellers in case of any AI mismatch.
I added an optional set-price feature that aims to give buyers a clearer understanding of an item's expected value beforehand. Although optional, as auctions are not meant to be capped, it gives sellers an opportunity to build trust, making them more likely to sell faster. Furthermore, to ensure seller visibility, the auction gives equal time to each seller to sell and accept bid offers, while all bids are visible live to help prevent any sketchy activities.
I added an optional set-price feature that aims to give buyers a clearer understanding of an item's expected value beforehand. Although optional, as auctions are not meant to be capped, it gives sellers an opportunity to build trust, making them more likely to sell faster. Furthermore, to ensure seller visibility, the auction gives equal time to each seller to sell and accept bid offers, while all bids are visible live to help prevent any sketchy activities.
I added an optional set-price feature that aims to give buyers a clearer understanding of an item's expected value beforehand. Although optional, as auctions are not meant to be capped, it gives sellers an opportunity to build trust, making them more likely to sell faster. Furthermore, to ensure seller visibility, the auction gives equal time to each seller to sell and accept bid offers, while all bids are visible live to help prevent any sketchy activities.
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Testing the experience with real users
Testing the experience with real users
Testing the experience with real users
To validate the designs i conducted a moderated usability testing session where the participants were prompted with the following tasks :
To validate the designs i conducted a moderated usability testing session where the participants were prompted with the following tasks :
Iterations
Iterations
Improving the experience
Improving the experience
Testing revealed that users could successfully complete tasks with minimal guidance, suggesting that the core experience was intuitive. However, post-test feedback highlighted opportunities to :
improve clarity in terminology, which led to refinements wording across the experience and more
Testing revealed that users could successfully complete tasks with minimal guidance, suggesting that the core experience was intuitive. However, post-test feedback highlighted opportunities to :
improve clarity in terminology, which led to refinements wording across the experience and more
Testing revealed that users could successfully complete tasks with minimal guidance, suggesting that the core experience was intuitive. However, post-test feedback highlighted opportunities to :
improve clarity in terminology, which led to refinements wording across the experience and more
Final Thoughts and Prototype
Final Thoughts and Prototype
Final Thoughts and Prototype
This was my first implementation case and although this presented more constraints and challenges i am very glad i was able to bring the concept to life and explore it as a potential MVP within the platform.
This was my first implementation case and although this presented more constraints and challenges i am very glad i was able to bring the concept to life and explore it as a potential MVP within the platform.
The Biggest takeaways i got was from this case was :
The Biggest takeaways i got was from this case was
Do not be afraid to push back
Do not be afraid to push back
During the concept exploration, a few users suggested a more live, feed-based interaction similar to short-form social experience but i unfortunately had to hold back as this would significantly shift Depop from a marketplace-first experience into a social content platform. But given the business opportunity of live selling , this could definitely be something to considered in the future if done carefully.
During the concept exploration, a few users suggested a more live, feed-based interaction similar to short-form social experience but i unfortunately had to hold back as this would significantly shift Depop from a marketplace-first experience into a social content platform. But given the business opportunity of live selling , this could definitely be something to considered in the future if done carefully.
Get in touch
© 2026 Anne Tchoumba
Get in touch
© 2026 Anne Tchoumba
Get in touch
© 2026 Anne Tchoumba