Introduction
The Problem
Museum guests don't know a lot about the art they are viewing unless they have prior knowledge or have done research prior to visiting.
The Solution
I designed an app to help users in museums navigate the art around them, providing quick snippets of information that makes learning on-the-go both easy, reliable, and educational.
Role
I acted as the UX lead designer; I structured my design process around Google Ventures Design Sprint model, which includes sketching, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.
Tools used:
Adobe XD, Marvel, InVision, Millanote, Miro
Google Ventures: Design Sprint
“The sprint is a five-day process for answering critical business questions through design, prototyping, and testing ideas with customers. Developed at
GV, it’s a “greatest hits” of business strategy, innovation, behavior science, design thinking, and more—packaged into a battle-tested process that any team can use.”
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Google Ventures
Day One: Problem & Insight
How might we?
- How might we help museum-goers and art-lovers get the most out of their visit?
- How might we educate museum guests without being overwhelming?
- How might we engage museum guests with a personalized experience?
Day Two: Sketching Solutions
I conducted lightning demos and created multiple sketches from the
Crazy 8’s exercise; after creating multiple critical screens, I created my solution sketch.
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Design sprint: Day 2, Crazy 8's Exercise
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Day 3: Crazy 8’s & Storyboarding
Day 4: Prototyping your Solution
Today I set out to prototype my solution. To help me
maximize my time, I used Adobe XD plugin tools like Mimic, and Quick Mock-Up. As I design the prototype, I combine what I would want from an app like this, and what the given personas and user interviews want.
I incorporate key features like the ability to sync to the appropriate museum and to scan a QR to quickly arrive at the given work of art, giving the user
less time to worry about getting to the right page, and more about learning about the art around them.
I also include other small details to
embellish the art-theme by adding backgrounds of paint texture (artist profile and artwork profile,) the Statue of David (Spring 2021 Exhibits,) and the exterior architecture of museums (home page and search page.)
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Day 5: Usability Test
Goals:
- to help the guest understand
why the art is good.
- to help the guest
learn more than they would from just walking around a museum on their own.
Takeaways from Usability Tests:
PRAISES
- “Super informative."
- GalleryPal is “helpful for people unfamiliar with art.”
- Majority of participants appreciated the integration of museum features, like the “in the gift shop,” “at the MOMA,” and the ability to explore current exhibits.
REFLECTIONS
- A “Home” icon would allow for easier navigation
- Start-up tour in beginning to show how to use app
- Adding icons to buttons to help illustrate function
For the final edit, I incorporated a few suggestions from my usability tests. These edits include:
- A “Search” symbol to the Discover button on the home page.
- A “Favorite” function when browsing Artist Profiles and artwork profiles.
- The prices for items listed in the gift shop.
- A key to the timeline in the Artwork Profile; also including relevant historical events.
- Updating the hamburger menu to a slide-out menu for the navigation in both the Artist Profile and the Artwork Profile.
- Updating the “Scan for QR Code” section in the Search page to a bold text.
On the Design Sprint Process:
As a first-timer to the GV design sprint, I found the quicker pace refreshing and invigorating. The time constraints forced myself to think out-of-the-box and more creatively; they were also helpful in keeping structure and making sure every edit I made was with
intention. This also gave me more of an
opportunity to create instinctively, as thus, more like a user operating on first impressions.
- It was odd to have user testing on such an early prototype, it made me more “protective” over my work. I found myself making sure that the participants knew this was only one day’s work, instead of a prototype that I had been working on for months, like my capstone project.
- I ended up being really
proud of the work I had accomplished in such a short time frame; this project helped to contextualize how a design sprint would be useful to companies who want to test out new features.
- The design sprint made me
appreciate how much time I had put into my capstone, and
how far I have come in my program to be able to quickly create a solution prototype in only five days.
Overall, it is a great exercise to channel creative energy and maximize your efforts.
Other portfolio pieces:
By Melanie Wolfertz
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15 Apr, 2021
UX Design portfolio piece for an event-hosting business.
By Melanie Wolfertz
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18 Dec, 2020
TaskAble is a task-management tool designed for users on the autism spectrum.