Storyteller. Qualitative Researcher.
Community Builder.
About
Background
-
Bump’n focused on creating inclusive sex toys for and by disabled people.
-
Their debut product, the Joystick, featured an adaptive mount for existing vibrators and was designed to make self-pleasure more accessible for users with limited mobility and reduced hand function.
Role
User Researcher (planning, recruiting, interviewing, synthesis, reporting)
Timeline
Feb–Mar 2022 (6 weeks)
Context
Research focused on supporting Bump’n’s first product launch
What gives an already enthusiastic follower enough confidence to preorder a product they can’t try, return, or compare to anything they’ve seen before?
Methodology
Qualitative study focused on understanding how prospective buyers evaluated the Joystick, what information they needed, and how they interacted with Bump’n’s existing content
Put us in conversation with people who were interested but undecided, making them key to understanding conversion barriers
-
4 remote user interviews
-
Participants recruited from social media commenters
-
Criteria: 18+, expressed confusion or curiosity, had not purchased
-
Pre‑study review of Bump’n’s website and social channels to identify recurring questions and misconceptions
Think back to the last time you preordered something. Walk me through the process from when you first became aware of the product to placing the order.
Context
-
Social media censorship limited Bump’n’s ability to grow its audience through traditional channels.
-
Yet, Bump’n successfully built a community that resonated with its mission of inclusive pleasure.
-
However, early excitement wasn’t translating into the preorders required for a sustainable launch.
-
In a category defined by final-sale products trust is paramount, asking customers to commit to a new, unfamiliar product introduced real risk.
Problem
-
Bump’n built an enthusiastic following passionate about accessible pleasure.
-
But, people weren't ready to buy the Joystick. They had questions about the size, the price, and how to actually use it, which created more doubt than excitement.
Challenges & Needs
-
Joystick users are more likely to have ongoing health needs.
-
Because these needs require additional energy, time, and money, pleasure is deprioritized and viewed as a luxury, reserved for a select few.
“$99 is just like a bit too much right now.
But I love the product. I love the idea.”
Key Takeaways
Summary
-
Bump’n’s core issue wasn’t reach or enthusiasm. Growing its audience would have only brought more people into the same confusion.
-
What was needed was clarity, showing existing and prospective customers how the Joystick solved a real problem and how it could fit into their lives.
-
Bump'n's marketing needs to be more informative. By placing the product in context, and featuring images and reviews from people whose bodies and abilities reflected those of prospective customers.
“Whenever anything new comes out, I wait for reviews before I buy it in case it's not what I thought it was. And that goes for my buying habits across the board. Whether it's a vibrator, a phone, a wheelchair, a coffee pot.”
Impact
Clarifying Product Fit
Focused on Real Users
Released more content showing the Joystick in context and in use by people whose lived experiences aligned with the intended users
Stopped using drawn imagery for promotional materials and prioritized real‑person visuals that communicated scale more clearly
Stopped Illustrations
Created content that highlighted the Joystick's size through video demos and descriptive posts
More
Instructional Content
Overcoming Digital Barriers
-
Due to social media policies and restrictions, intimacy products like Bump’n are often shadowbanned (content is hidden by platform).
-
The shadow ban magnified the impact of Bump’n’s vague messaging. With visibility inconsistent, every post mattered, and needed to clearly communicate the Joystick so both new and returning followers could quickly understand the Joystick and assess fit without guesswork.
“I have friends who are sex workers that are always getting shadowbanned. Like any sort of sex positivity is so against the rules and taboo. And I just didn't even think about that with this thing.”
-
Increased in-person events where the Joystick could be demoed, which helped reduce confusion about the product
-
Partnered with disability, LGBTQIA, and community organizations, helping the company reach people who were not seeing their online content