UX Design | UI Design | Visual Design | Branding
Art for All Mobile App
Overview
The Art for All app was designed as a companion for visitors to art galleries and museums to provide insights into what exhibitions to see nearby and details about the art being viewed during your visit. With the Art for All app, my main goal is to increase the approachability of visiting art museums and galleries even for the most novice viewers. The app acts as an assistant to locate art to see and provide viewers with access to in depth information to read and/or listen to while they are viewing the work. This experience was created as part of the Google UX Professional Certificate Program.
Problem
There can be a lack of approachability or a feeling of intimidation with visiting art galleries and museums, as well as viewing and understanding art for someone who didn’t study it.
Role
Lead UX Designer responsible for concept development, research, wire-framing, designing, branding, prototyping, iteration
Process
User Research
Wireframes
Design
User Studies
Prototyping
Iteration
Solution
To create a mobile app that acts as an assistant to locate art to see and provide viewers with access to in depth information to read and/or listen to while they are viewing the work.
Tools
Figma
Photoshop
Illustrator
Google Docs and Slides
Duration
3 months
Research: User Persona
TARGET AUDIENCE:
Art appreciators who frequently
visit art museums and galleries.
Ages 18-75
Research: Journey Map
GOAL:
To easily learn more about the art and artists viewed in a museum or gallery.
Research: Competitors
ArtLens Cleveland Museum of Art Mobile App
Art Institute of Chicago Mobile App
Daily Art Mobile App
Research: Questions & User Study Findings
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
• How important is the content to the user?
• How effective are the app’s functionality and flow?
• Are the app’s interactions intuitive and easy to follow for the user?
• Do the visual elements in the app support the customers in navigating through the app?
USER STUDY FINDINGS:
ROUND 1 / LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
• Confusion about scanning function
• Lacking options during search
• More info needed about search results
ROUND 2 / HIGH FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
• More expansion of search options
• Sequence of screens is confusing
• Increase ease in accessing information about the art
Rich, user study participant
“The directions to the exhibition coming up before the overview information is a little confusing.”
Design: Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototype
My main goal for the home screen was to create an easy, very visual way for users to find current exhibitions to visit in their area. I also considered how to display updates about current exhibitions happening nearby as well as links to articles about current events in the arts.
Using my digital wireframes, I created the low-fidelity prototype which allows users to gain a basic understanding of the app’s main functionality.
LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
The low-fidelity prototype outlines the basic functionality of the Art for All app. This version reflects feedback from my first user study.
Design: Mockups and High-Fidelity Prototype
After the feedback collected during my second usability study, I decided to make the search function the main part of the revised home screen in order to increase clarity for the user and have a stronger connection to the main goal of the app. A priority to many participants of the user study was to have more information on the search results screen in order to help them decide which museum or gallery to visit. I included a larger image of art from a featured, current exhibit and text calling out the title of a featured show.
When inside the art museum or gallery, having access to a floor plan view to navigate to the selected exhibition was important for some but not a high priority for others. After the usability study I changed the map view to be an option accessible via a text link and changed the number markers to images from the exhibition to make it easier for users to locate what they want to see. The high-fidelity prototype, linked below, reflects these updates.
Before Usability Study
After Usability Study
Before Usability Study
After Usability Study
Before Usability Study
After Usability Study
Design: Brand and Style Guide
My goal for the Art for All app branding and style guide was to create a look and feel that was friendly and approachable as well as straightforward and clean. I chose typography and colors that provided clarity and contrast. I wanted the images of the art to be the hero so keeping the rest of the app’s visual design minimal was very important.
Logo
Icon
Takeaways
My designs for the Art for All app will help users increase their knowledge and confidence in looking at and understanding art. It will also act as an easier method for locating what to see in a specified area in real time on one platform rather than gathering information from multiple sources.