Evangeline Art Gallery App
This was my first project for my UX design professional certificate.
My goal was to develop a new app that simplifies the process of finding information about local artists and art galleries. Before launching the app, I needed to assess its usability and determine how difficult it is for users to find the information they seek. I also sought to identify any hurdles or difficulties that users might encounter during the research and outreach process and work towards resolving those challenges.
Project Overview
The product: A new app to help people find information about artist members at a local art gallery.
Project duration: July 2021 - December 2022
The problem: Lack of accessible information about local contemporary artists
The goal: To provide artist bios and general art gallery information in a centralized location
My role: UX Designer
Responsibilities: User research, wireframing, prototyping
Understanding the User
User Research: Summary
In order to design for our target users, I conducted interviews and constructed empathy maps to gain insight into their needs and challenges. Through this research, a primary user group was identified as working adults who are looking for a more efficient way to find information about local artists they've encountered in an art gallery without having to search through multiple websites.
Pain points
ack of visibility: Many local artists and art galleries may not have a strong online presence, which makes it difficult for users to find information about them.
Fragmented information: Information about local artists and art galleries may be scattered across different websites and sources, making it time-consuming and confusing for users to gather all the information.
Personas
Personality: Karen is curious, culturally-aware and loves to stay up-to-date on the latest art trends. She is also analytical and enjoys using technology to research and make informed purchasing decisions.
Goals: Karen's main goal when visiting an art gallery is to find unique and inspiring works of art. She also wants to learn more about the artists and the stories behind their work.
Pain Points: Karen often finds it challenging to quickly access information about the artists and their works. She gets frustrated when galleries don't have clear signage or when the staff is unable to answer her questions about the art. Karen also dislikes having to handle physical brochures and wishes she could access more information about the artists and their works through her mobile device.
Desired Features: Karen would love a seamless in-gallery experience where she can access information about the artists and their works through her mobile device. She also values the ability to save her favorite works and artists for future reference, and receive recommendations for other galleries and exhibitions.
In conclusion, Karen is a tech-savvy, art-loving individual who values the convenience and accessibility of information.
Starting the Design
Digital Wireframes
Easy navigation was a critical aspect to consider in the design process, as well as ensuring the app's accessibility for users with varying backgrounds and abilities.
Low-fidelity prototypes
With the digital wireframes finalized, I developed a low-fidelity prototype that focused on connecting the primary user flow of locating artist bios and upcoming events. This prototype was created with the intention of conducting a usability study.
With this being my first project, I learned the importance of having clear, organized artboards to streamline the process of connecting one screen to another.
Usability study: findings
Round 1 findings
The menu is too difficult to find for some users.
It is challenging for users to differentiate between the terms "events" and "exhibitions."
Artist bios are too difficult to find for almost all users.
Round 2 findings
Users took longer than anticipated to find what they are looking for.
Mockups
The initial usability study revealed that the collapsible menu was cluttered and difficult to use when added to the home screen.
High-fidelity
prototype
Link to high-fidelity prototype
The process of creating a high-fidelity prototype for the artist bio app was both challenging and rewarding. The challenge was to ensure that the design met the user needs identified in the research and wireframe phase, while also incorporating the feedback received from the low-fidelity prototype usability study.
To address these challenges, I started by creating detailed design specifications, including color schemes, typography, and iconography. The prototype included all of the key features identified in the research phase, such as the ability to search for artists, view artist bios and upcoming events.
Accessibility Considerations
I made sure to use design principles, such as font size, hierarchy, and repetition to make my app more accessible.
I made sure that the colors chosen complied with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2. High contrast allows users with visual disabilities to still perceive content on the page.
I made sure to make navigation consistent so users can use the product without unnecessary errors.
Going Forward
Takeaways
Iterative design process: The design of the artist bio app was an iterative process, with regular testing and feedback-gathering used to make improvements and refinements. This approach helped to ensure that the final product met the needs of the target audience and was accessible to users of different backgrounds and abilities.
What I learned
While designing the Evangeline Art Gallery app, I learned that the first ideas for the app are only the beginning of the process. Usability studies and peer feedback influenced each iteration of the app’s designs.
Next steps
New feature: ability to save avorite works and artists for future reference, and receive recommendations for other exhibitions.
Conduct more user research to determine any new areas of need.
Contact Me
Thank you for your time reviewing my work on the Evangeline Art Gallery app!
If you’d like to see more or get in touch, my contact information is provided below.
Email: taylorvrising@gmail.com
Website: taylorvrising.weebly.com