New Design Experience Now in A/B Testing

[Heather]

Hi Creators,

We're excited to share that we've launched an updated design experience that's currently in A/B testing! This represents a significant evolution in how design works on Zazzle, moving toward a unified tool that serves both creators and customers.

What's Live Now?: Our design tool experience is being tested, meaning users will see either the current experience or one of three new variants. This tool builds on the features you've been using including frames, grids, design elements, and our royalty-free content library, but is optimized to make design more accessible to customers who may not have your level of design expertise. Your existing post-for-sale flow remains accessible and we intend to improve those workflows as part of the next phase. 

Here's a quick demo from Sean walking through the experience:

Why This Matters for You: Since this A/B test exposes templates to a new design interface, you may notice that some existing designs work differently in this customer-focused environment. 

As an example, to create a smoother customer journey, we’ve improved how “locking” works for layers. Previously , when you locked an object, customers could not unlock the object which caused usability issues when they wanted to make changes. With the new update, both you and your customers can unlock a locked layer. Note, if you originally had a a locked layer, the "disabled" setting is automatically turned on with the update. We’ve added a new toggle called “Disable All Object Interaction” which is located in the “More options” section in the right-hand panel. When enabled, it prevents users from interacting with the layer, and customers cannot change this setting.  Additionally, we’re using the locking feature to automatically hide certain layers, such as large transparent overlays, shields, or borders, that might otherwise interfere with customers trying to upload photos or edit text.

After the test concludes, we'll be sharing tips and best practices to help your templates shine in this new experience to maximize customer engagement and conversion. 

Looking ahead, this optimized experience is the first step toward a cohesive design tool for everyone on Zazzle, designed to add ease for customers and positively increase conversion to benefit creators. We welcome your thoughts and feedback as you see this experience in action, as your insights help us build better tools for the entire Zazzle community. The team will be reviewing this thread so please weigh in as you’d like. 

Thanks for being part of this journey, 

The Zazzle Team

[jophb]

I can only see it if I go into a different browser that I'm not logged into.

[SheaPrints]

I hope we can continue to use the 'Group', 'Mask', and 'Horizontal Tiling' tools for new designs. I wish we could get reassurance that these things still won't be issues when the new design tool is finalized.

Not all the tested versions have this problem. This version includes an 'Edit' window, and it does allow customization for both text and images, regardless of their setup. I like the way it's open when a customer visits the page, and that it only displays elements that are made into 'template objects', avoiding customers being overwhelmed with every detail.

However, the information telling customers that they can "click on the design to make changes directly" isn't possible if elements have been locked, grouped, masked, tiled or layered under something.

[jophb]

This would be MUCH BETTER than what I'm experiencing on all of my items. My photo ones are not showing the 'edit' part for photos at all like your screenshot shows, which is causing major issues for me because no one can edit my photo based items due to transparent elements.

Like you said that should automatically be open for the customer so they don't have to hunt it down. Or know what weird little 'mountain' icons are on the design tool.

[SheaPrints]

These new design tools have been tested for about two weeks, and I only occasionally get that version. I mostly get the other two that don't allow customization. It's really concerning, especially with the holiday season coming up soon.

[jophb]

Definitely very concerning. I can already see a significant decrease in my sales just in the past two weeks, and it's 100% directly related to this problem.

[VivianD117]

HI -- when you have a moment could you please post a link to one of those products so that I get a sense of whether I should be concerned also about photo replacement.  I'm not sure what or how the transparent elements relate to the photos. 

[jophb]

@VivianD117  Any time you have a transparent layer, or a gradient (that may have a transparent part that extends beyond the gradient itself), with any part of it layered over an image, the image cannot be changed with this new editor.

This is not the item I was referring to above, but it is doing the same issue. You can't access a single one of the photos to get the 'change image' option to pop up.

https://www.zazzle.com/best_mom_photo_collage_mother_coffee_mug-256526380995279734

[Connie]

Wow, that's completely unusable! I tried double-clicking one of the "mountain" symbols over one of the photos, and it made the text disappear! Then the top toolbar had a "Change Image" option, but when I went to change the image, it replaced ALL the images with one BIG image on the whole mug!

[jophb]

Yes totally unusable!! It only allows the gradient to change! This is bonkers. Going to cause so many frustrated customers. 

[ColsCreations]

I posted in another thread w/ screenshots my experience as a customer with two different versions on the same product. For some reason I thought Mods had combined the threads but they didn't so ilnking here to get them in this official thread. 😉

First version:
ask-a-question/disabling-all-object-interaction/m-p/220327/highlight/true#M15482

Other even worse version:
ask-a-question/disabling-all-object-interaction/m-p/220437/highlight/true#M15485

[jophb]

Ugh! Thanks for sharing those @ColsCreations 😩😢 

[jophb]

@Heather the new design tool has made it impossible for customers to edit one of my best selling products (actually many of my photo based items). As a user it makes it impossible to change the photos in this new editor if you have a gradient or transparency layer. I see no obvious way to do it, and I know a customer would 100% give up. They aren't going to have any idea that they need click into 'layers' to find it. I have not sold a single one of my best selling photo item in fact since this change was implemented.  I can't even see a way to go into the more extensive design editor like they used to be able to do. I would imagine that this is happening to many of my items now, especially any with this similar design, or any designs that have gradients or transparencies over them.  I can't imagine how frustrating this is for customers.

PLEASE get rid of this new editor until these issues are fixed. I've seen a dramatic decline in my photo template sales since the beginning of the month when this was introduced.

[Fiorenzo]

Same problem with PNG and PDF frames over your design. Just tested on a new sticker I made.

When I click on personalization, I get this minimalist thing. First impression: I have no clue what is going on. Then I try to click on the texts. Nada of course, cuz the frame hinders it.

 Then my designer mind tells me to click on that Layers symbol, which I do. The customer will probably need a crystal ball for this. Done, and we get this:

 Now comes the next dilemma: you need to hide the frame to be able to click on the text fields on the design area. Thank God you can click on the text fields and work from there. Means: Click on the text field layer you want to change, THEN click on edit to get the popup with the field. Lovely. Oh. Don't mind all the empty fields, I've always offered a selected choice of font presets on most designs. All carefully labeled, of course.

Here's the product link if you wanna play around:

https://www.zazzle.com/holidays_winter_fairy_tale_blue_merle_collie_classic_round_sticker-2567579799... 

This whole thing will become a selling nightmare for all those designers not offering simple stuff. No way the average customer can handle a design this way. What an apocalyptic mess this is.

[VivianD117]

I must have a different version as I was able to make the changes — with the exception of being a bit confused by the empty text boxes — pretty easily.  Since I wasn’t told I should not use all upper case, Merry Christmas was too big — once I figured that out, I was OK. 

[Fiorenzo]

I have worked on a "compromise" template that works more or less with all 3 form options I've seen so far, 2 new ones and the classic form. I will post it separately.

In the variant you have shown, the text fields are ordered in a completely random way and not alphabetically by the template URLs given by us designers to grant a logical structure. In my case, the name should be in the second position. I have already posted a report about this (in this thread).

[Barbara]

@Fiorenzo  I tried your sticker and was dumbfounded at how empty of guidance the screen is. I finally figured out that, in spite of clicking on the text, it's not what was selected. How would a customer react? Badly. Eventually, I saw "Layers," clicked on it, and was able to find the text. Would a customer do this? No. I didn't continue and simply left because there was no indication of what to do. Would a customer even get that far? Very likely not.

It's a hot mess.

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[Fiorenzo]

Worked on a new "compromise" template that works more or less on all form variants, classic one included. Will post it later and tag you.

[SheaPrints]

We can try to sidestep some of these problems with new designs, but it's restrictive as we don't know what the final version will be. Designers who can 'revise' existing designs likely already are, to keep their templates working during this test phase — it would help if we all had that option 😞

[Fiorenzo]

I fully agree that this is an absolute mess and will severely impact most designers' income - and Zazzle's as well, if not taken back and repurposed AFTER the holiday season and AFTER all bugs and known issues are fixed. You do NOT throw beta tests on live servers on a random audience, you do this to selected users that have applied to such tests, or you offer it as an option. The game industry does it, and Adobe does it, too, with its Beta Photoshop releases. This is pure silliness and suicidal how it is done. Jesus.

I won't change existing designs, but I'm using a compromise strategy on new ones for the incoming holidays. At least these. Plus I'll probably make duplicates of some best sellers.

[SheaPrints]

I'm also trying to avoid potential problems with new designs, but some features are now unusable because they cause problems with selection, and there are probably other issues that I haven't discovered! Please can Zazzle help us with all this. There are so many designs with a good sales history that are affected!

[Fiorenzo]

By playing around and testing, I'm discovering more and more issues. It's a hopeless endeavor. The only way is to stop all and postpone after the holidays and things are less buggy and more polished. We both know, though, this won't happen. I give up.

[jophb]

The problem is with the gradients and transparent overlay problems, I can't even edit that because it would have to end up looking completely different.  So even with the replace option, many wouldn't be able to be replaced 😞 

[SheaPrints]

You're absolutely right! I mean that some designs could have been saved during this test phase with a few revisions. But surely these issues will be put right when the final version is launched. How long does this testing usually take? We need an update and reassurance about all this.

[jophb]

Doesn't even have to be a png or pdf frame... it also doesn't work if you used a transparent fill shape from zazzle's own tools to add a frame. And it seems if you have curved text top and bottom that covers the image it also blocks it from being editable.

[jophb]

A few more things that I found. On some items, the previews do not load at all top right, and many only have one view (like a mug). I also find it strange that this new editor completely blocks the item itself so customers cannot really see it as they are working, until they proceed to a new page? Or only have the tiny preview that you can't click on to make bigger.

And some items have the product photo angled. The screenshot below also shows how the previews don't load.

Both of these items (and every one of mine like this that I've looked at so far) are missing the 'change image' buttons on the left side like SheaPrints posted below.  That would be a much better user interface, and would also be a backup in case the other way to edit images does not work.

- - - -

When you try to change the text color, the text box is blocking the 'plus' button to get to the color pallet. And I agree with others that we 100% need the eye dropper tool.

How do customers even change 'stroke' colors? I don't even see an option?? That has been one of the best tool additions on Zazzle, and I believe many of us use it to make fonts thicker, but this makes it unusable. This one below was gray with gray stroke. I can only change the font color, that I can see.

I have to say, there are also so many 'symbols' that even I as a designer don't have any clue as to what they do or mean. I don't click on mystery buttons.

[jophb]

Ok I found the stroke editor, but if I as a daily user of Zazzle couldn't find it easily.... a casual customer will not. Definitely need to make features and buttons more obvious and intuitive. To me the stroke color should edit in the same spot as the font color. Or at the very least the 'Effects' button should be renamed to something like 'Text Options'.

And PS, if you have white font (as many people do), you can't even see the color circle! White dot on a white background completely disappears. 

[Barbara]

When I saw that Zazzle had bought Hobnob, my mind started moving around. The A/B testing happened only a speck before the Hobnob announcement, and I wondered if the two are connected and if the tests are to see how best to accommodate customers coming in from the app--people mostly using their phones for editing. The problem would then be trying to accommodate both phone users and computer users. Right now, the latter are losing bigtime, and we can only hope Zazzle will get it worked out.

(Also, there are changes being done to stationery. Connection maybe?)

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[Fiorenzo]

You can accommodate both. It's called responsive design. And know what, it works on all devices if done correctly. Just a matter of skills. And capable software designer. In other words, no one stops you from showing field labels on desktops and hiding them under an icon on mobiles. There is also no need to show an ocean of white unused space on desktops, while you can fill it with useful stuff. I know it well, I do such stuff all the time.

[Mariholly]

I am completely unfamiliar with this application and I am not sure if I am right after checking their website. Could this possibly give a strong boost to the sale of printed cards in general and especially to digital downloads?

[Barbara]

@Mariholly 

That's what I was thinking too. It could bring more visitors to this site, and if that's so, they might discover other things while here: tablecloths, pillows, clocks, phone cases, etc. I wouldn't be the least surprised if this is also on Zazzle's mind.

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[Zorinda]

How will any Hobnob referred visitors discover “other things” when Zazzle has effectively crippled so many designs on the site for both buyers and designers with their ill thought out and clearly untested changes? And this alongside the other ongoing site issues like search.  Their first visit to Zazzle may be their last.  Kind of an ill timed rollout for Hobnob. SMH

[Fiorenzo]

@Heather @Scott 

Bug report: Field ordering in one of the variants is completely random and not done alphabetically by the template URLs given by designers to grant a logical structure. 
Suggestions: 1. The (vital) Layers icon should be shown by default and not hidden under a + more icon. 2. Hidden text fields should be depicted in a grey tone.

[Fiorenzo]

I have worked on a compromise to address the issues with the different forms at least to a certain degree. The idea is to have a viable solution that works on all forms and that can be applied to new designs. This is a solution for all those who have optional content that was/is left blank. The screenshots explain themselves:

from to:

 The changes made:

Here's the test product:

https://www.zazzle.com/test_template_for_new_forms_classic_round_sticker-256721872332692620 

[Barbara]

@Fiorenzo  It's still confusing. There's the screen sitting there with no instruction, which is seen only AFTER clicking Layers, which happens to be the very first hurdle for customers, and this means they won't see your instructions.

Note: Why on earth would they put in the rotate icon without an on-hover popup that names it? I did exactly what a customer is likely to do: clicked it to see what it does, which is, of course, absolutely nothing.

Fiorenzo, kudos for a nice try, but until Zazzle gets its horse before the cart, not after, a whole lot of business will be lost along with, no doubt, a number of designers.

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[Fiorenzo]

You're right. By testing around, I've discovered more issues. It's a hopeless endeavor. I give up and concentrate on simple stuff until we have something definitive we can adapt to. For now, every attempt is a lost cause. 

[Anne]

OMG, @Fiorenzo 
This is the first time I see this thing.
Do they expect everyone to have a degree in advanced mathematics now, or what?

I have NO CLUE what this is and chances of selling this must be absolutely zero.
Your design is really pretty, this is so sad.

[Fiorenzo]

Nonono, the strange numbers are my fault. This was a test content to check the field order in one of the new forms, which is bugged (shows the fields randomly and not alphabetically sorted by the template URL).  I did it to see what field got placed where, since we have no field labeling showing anymore.

I was just too lazy to create another test product. Spent already way too much time for this nonsense. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for the compliments!

[Barbara]

Side issue: Am I the only one not being notified when there's a new post to this specific thread? Maybe it's more threads than just this one, but it's difficult to notice.

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[AirTwin]

That's been happening with a few threads, it seems to be as they age the notices fall off even if people post new posts or sub posts. Something is up. Anyone in this thread might want to check back without the email notice.

[Barbara]

I don't get email notices; rather, I rely on the notifications that are only online. So it would appear it's in both places.

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