Public Alpha Art Museum
Project duration:
Start 11/2023
End: Designing-in Progress
My role:
Lead, Researcher, Visuals, Interaction
Responsibilities:
User research, wireframing, and prototyping,
The problem:
Design an app and a responsive website for a public art museum to showcase exhibits and events, provide museum information to patrons, and enable patrons to schedule visits.
The goal:
PAAM will allow users to navigate seamlessly through Current, Future, and Past Exhibits, and book a visit. This will affect how people interact with public art museums by providing appealing visuals and insightful details to motivate a patron to visit.
We will measure effectiveness by analyzing the number of online registered patrons against their actual attendance.
User Research
Unmoderated, video-recorded interviews were conducted for each participant to explore the pain points experienced when researching entertainment for themselves or with company. Prior to the interviews, it was presumed that participants had limited experience visiting museums. However, this presumption shifted as the diversity of family dynamics became apparent. Each household member showcased distinct interests, influenced by age and personal preferences.
User Research: Pain Points
Diverse Exhibits
Art Museum Exhibits on the app are categorized by Time period, Current, Future and Past
Cost-effective
The Art museum app will reflect the General Admission price on the Contact page and will clearly be displayed prior to booking a visit
Notification of Events
The Art Museum app will have a Newsletter feature and a option to set reminder notifications for Future Exhibits that can be sent to more than one person
Fun & Educational
The Art Museum App will display a Youtube video next to each Exhibit that will provide a short detail behind the history of the exhibit and a glimpse into what patrons can expect
Persona
Age:32
Education:Associates in Fin.
Hometown:Tampa, FL
Family:Married/3 kids/1 dog
Occupation:Banking Manager
Problem statement:
Krystal is a busy Wife and Banking Manager with 3 children, who seeks an app that will allow her to schedule an activity quickly for the whole family. Family time is important, and has time constraints.
“I always strive to give my best for my family, especially for my kids”
Goals
Have a healthy, balanced life with family
Frustrations
Time-pressed for family time during the weekdays, juggling between office and home
Strives to provide diverse activities/hobbies for the whole family to enjoy together, but doesn’t have much time to research ideas that will allow education and play that are intertwined for all ages
User journey map
Mapping out the flow of Krystal's user journey revealed the benefits of creating an app for a user challenged with limited time and mixed family interests. The app allows them to explore, register, and book a visit to a public art museum for the whole family.
Paper sketches
Sketching out the screens needed to accomplish the goal ensured a reduction in the number of steps the user takes. Simplifying the layout of the Home screen helps the user focus on exploring exhibits to visit.
Mobile App- Home screen 1
Mobile App- Home screen 2
Current Exhibit Landing Page
Confirmation Page
Desktop Version- Home screen
Tablet Version- Home screen
Paper sketch of screen size variations cont.
The "Current Exhibits" Landing Page was redesigned for a responsive website and tablet.
Tablet Version
Desktop Version
Digital wireframe
As the initial design phase started, the focus was on ease of use and finding information quickly. The screen layout is based on research findings.
3 Large, Period based-Exhibit Icons, to simplify user options, making user goals clearer.
Floating Accessibility Tool, to allow all users ease in use.
Digital wireframes cont.
As the design phase continued, I made sure the screen layout went from top to bottom to assist with assistive technology, and was consistent across all screens. The Exhibits page provides clear and quick access to information needed for the user to book quickly.
Review Section, to allow patrons to make informed an quick decisions on Exhibits to view.
The Info Box is quick access to the information in the Drop down menu.
Desktop Version
Reusing Components sped up the responsiv web design process
Due to increased space via the website, more Exhibits can be displayed
The color theme and icons were replicated and CTA still front and center
Low-fidelity prototype
The user flow starts on the Home screen, and the user clicks on 'Current Exhibit,' which takes the user to a list of Current Exhibits to explore. The user then selects a specific exhibit, where they can watch a video, read reviews, schedule, and pay for a visit. The user quickly and easily lands on the Confirmation page.
Usability Study: Findings
Round 1 findings
Need a “Confirm Details” Page
Need make “Call-to-Action” more pronounced
Need “quick menu” navigation bar at bottom of app
Round 2 findings
Need to separate Login Screen from Register Screen
Need a pop-up verification box to “Cancel” or “Submit” entered details
Need icons for each “Action”, with a text label, via home page
Mockups
Before usability study
The homepage needed images, icons, and a bottom Navigation bar
After usability study
The goal was to provide as much information about the Art Museum, from the homepage, to promote users to book a visit
Before usability study
The Login and Register functions were on the same screen
After usability study
The Login and Register functions were split into two separate screens
After usability study
The Login and Register functions were split into two separate screens
Responsive Web /Before usability study
Responsive Web/After usability study
Feedback was given to add jump points to each exhibit period, scale down the color on the top band, and make the call-to-action more pronounced.
Feedback was also provided to have a carousel of images on each side of the home screen, showing 'museum and patron photos' versus 'Stock easel images'.
Mockups: Screen size variations
(Tablet, Mobile Device and Desktop)
Accessibility considerations
The layout of the image and text contents were set to a top down approach, to assist users that require screen readers.
The inclusion of commonly used icons with text, and text fields with visual cue icons, were included to assist all users in flow and functionality throughout the app.
Impact:
The apps intuitive and responsive web design motivates new and returning patrons to explore exhibits and book a visit.
What I learned:
Without usability studies, staying on track of the app's purpose would have been derailed towards the development phase. I learned from study participant feedback how to return back to the main objective and filter out 'filler' text and components to simplify the user experience.
What would you like to explore next...
If you were moved by this Design and want to connect, I look forward to hearing from you:
Email address: Walet.Palmer@gmail.com
Phone number: 1 (678) 548-9984
LinkedIn:
