I was the sole product designer on this project. I have brainstormed solutions from the user research, sketched potential ideas, built wireframes, and conducted usability testing with high fidelity prototype screens.
Design constraints:
1. Focus on improving the in-person viewing experience
2. Solution needs to be designed as a mobile app or mobile-optimized website
3. Must be completed in 5 days
Tools Used
Design - Sketch, InVision, Sketch Book, Sticky Notes and Pen.
The Problem:
GalleryPal is a mobile app that designs a way to improve the experience of learning about art in museums and galleries. Visitors of museums were found to feel overwhelmed by all the information presented, resulting in less of a connection to the workpieces, and an overall lack of appreciation. The challenge was to reformat the visitors’ learning experience, to enhance the overall satisfaction and increase attendance.
The Solution:
As a result I designed an app that uses a QR-code reader system allowing visitors to conveniently access quick attention-grabbing facts and dive deeper into more detailed information about the art they are viewing in person.
Day One - Map
After familiarizing myself with the problems by learning from the user research, user personas and listening to the interview with the professional gallery guide, I developed a better understanding of the user frustrations and user needs while visiting museums.
Some common quotes from the user research:
“I want to learn about the art work straight from the artist” - Jane
“I’m always curious to learn about the technique and technical process” - Dana
“I get overwhelmed with info. I just want to find some quick facts about the painting on the spot” - Jack
Interview notes and the quotes from the user research
For the next steps I synthesized the problem, and mapped out a potential solution.
The potential solution map
Day Two - Sketch
The second day was all about looking at the competitors' products, and finding inspiration for design solutions. I found a couple of gallery apps, to study how the layout of the art information looks like on the mobile screens. I also researched apps that use a QR - code scanning system to learn the details of this specific screen design.
Inspiration screenshot from other apps
Crazy 8’s sketches
After looking at several competitor’s products and getting inspired by other gallery apps, I did a sketch exercise called Crazy 8’s and sketched out different critical screen designs for the GalleryPal.
Keeping the user in mind, I wanted to make sure they find everything they want to learn about the art piece on a single screen. I also aimed for the simple design look, quickest way of getting the results, as well as the intuitive navigation through the process of using the app.
Day Three - Storyboard
On the third day, I organized several critical screens which the users will need to complete their task. I made a storyboard to illustrate the process from the start (user coming to the museum) to finish (user experiencing and learning about the art on the spot).
Day Four - Prototyping
I started by prototyping the first of the three key screens, which was a QR code scanning system. After scanning a code that belongs to the specific art piece, users get access to the results, where they can find anything related to this particular artwork. Seeing different topics and facts, users can click between short articles to learn the information in depth.
I've added an audio option, keeping in mind that not everyone will want to be on their phone while being in the museum/gallery. That way users can admire the artwork while still listening to new information about the art.
QR - code scanner, art results and artist information screens
Day Five - Test
For the usability testing I found 3 users who enjoy art and visit museums regularly. I specifically was looking for people who have a strong interest in art, go to exhibitions frequently and know their habits of learning about art. That way, I was sure I’ll have a strong and practical feedback from the potential users I'm designing for.
I wanted to find out:
1. How familiar the users are with the QR code scanning system.
2. How users respond to UI elements.
3. How likely users would choose listening to audio options over reading short info articles.
4. If there's anything else that the users would want to see in the “results” page.
Testing the prototype, users seemed to understand the concept of QR-code scanning system without any problems, UI elements were helpful in navigation, and made the process easy and straightforward. After landing on a “result” page, I got some useful suggestions for adding several additional features. For example adding a “like” button to the articles, showcasing more artwork from the same artist, and a suggestion to add available chapters to the audio, if the user is interested in listening only to the particular topic.
Feedback from the usability testing:
- “I like that I can “Share” the art, but I would also want an option of saving or bookmarking it, to be able to come back to it later” - Louise
- “When I visit museum with my kid, I would gladly use the audio option to go through the new information” - Emilia
- “I would want to see other art by the same artist. Maybe even something that is available to see in the same gallery while I’m there” - Edward
- “If I’m not in the mood for listening to the entire audio, it would be nice to have a breakdown of the topics so I can choose and control what I’m listening to”. - Tony
- “I’m a visual person, I think I would expect to see more images on the “expanded information” screens that compliment the topic of the short articles” - Liz
Design Revision
After synthesizing the feedback from the usability testing, I revised my design and added some additional features to the screens.
1. I removed extra “Scan QR Code” text elements. It seemed unnecessary to have that extra UX copy on one screen.
2. Added a “like” button to save favorite artists and their artwork for later. Included “Additional Artworks” by the artist.
3. I added additional imagery to complement the article and keep the user engaged and involved with the topic.
Since the QR - code reader system has been around for some time, usability testing confirmed that users were familiar with the concept and comfortable with the approach. Based on the user feedback, the general impression was that the app was easy to use and the task was completed by all participants. Therefore, I believe it accomplished a general user goal.
Next Steps:
Continuing with this project, I would redesign the audio model and find a way to “break down” the topics, to make it easier for the users to choose the parts they want to listen to.
I would also consider adding an image recognition camera option or search feature, in case the user doesn’t have access to the QR- code stand in case of overcrowded rooms.
Reflection:
Design sprint is a result-oriented process that has put a strict limit on my time while working on this project. This approach forced me to make quick decisions and made me realize how much can be accomplished in a short period of time. I see the value of using this process to test the assumptions of the product concept before committing the time and finances.
