Museum is an app designed to enhance patrons' experiences within museums, offering seamless and personalized routes. With a focus on alleviating navigation challenges and avoiding overwhelming experiences, Museum empowers users to effortlessly navigate through exhibitions, creating custom routes tailored to their interests. Leveraging GPS technology, the app guides users through the museum's layout while providing insightful information about each artwork on display.
The Problem:
Navigating museums can be overwhelming and challenging for visitors due to unclear signage and a lack of directional guidance. Many patrons find themselves confused when moving from one exhibition to another or trying to locate exits. This confusion can detract from the overall enjoyment of the museum experience and may discourage visitors from fully engaging with the exhibits.
The goal:
“Museum” offers users the ability to explore the museum utilizing their GPS, catering to individuals seeking a personalized route tailored to their preferences. By enabling users to create custom routes to specific exhibits and guiding them through the museum via their phone's GPS, the app enhances the visitor experience. Effectiveness can be measured by soliciting feedback from users upon completion of their chosen route, gauging their satisfaction and overall experience.
User research: Summary
I conducted a screening survey to identify potential interview candidates who enjoy visiting museums and have an interest in art. By interviewing four individuals who met these criteria, valuable insights were gained into the major pain points experienced by museum patrons while navigating various museums. These interviews provided an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by visitors and shed light on areas where improvements could greatly enhance the museum experience.
User research: pain points
Celia, a recent immigrant to the United States, is a freelance writer who works from home. Her preferred method of relaxation involves visiting museums, where she delights in exploring galleries. However, she often finds herself disoriented in the museum halls. Celia is seeking a solution to navigate through the museums and savor the art without the stress of finding her way out of exhibition rooms.
The goal is to ensure that the museum visit is both enjoyable and effortless for patrons. Where visitors feel genuinely cared for, supported by a comprehensive tool that guides them seamlessly through every stage of their museum exploration. The aim is to instill a sense of assurance among visitors that they have access to a resource capable of assisting them in maximizing their time and ensuring they encounter all the exhibits they are interested in checking out. By prioritizing visitor satisfaction and providing a reliable companion for their museum journey, the aspiration is to foster a positive and fulfilling experience for all users.
Albert, a marketer with a non-traditional work schedule, is employed full-time at the office but has to work on Saturdays, making Monday his second day off. He takes pleasure in visiting museums, but he has an aversion to crowds. Albert is seeking a solution to determine the busyness of museums before planning his visit.
The objective is to give visitors comprehensive business estimates for the museum across various schedules, facilitating their ability to plan their visit effectively. The aim is to guarantee that patrons experience a seamless and enjoyable visit, feeling genuinely supported and cared for. The goal is to imbue visitors with confidence that they have access to a reliable resource that will assist them in optimizing their time and ensuring they can explore all the exhibits of interest without encountering a big crowd of people.
Paper wireframes
I initiated the creation of sketches outlining potential solutions tailored to address the challenges faced by users. These sketches were informed by a thorough analysis of HMW statements, empathy maps, affinity maps, and insights gathered from interviews. I aimed to translate conceptual ideas into tangible designs, leveraging user flows to map out the necessary screens for each scenario. Additionally, I drew inspiration from existing book apps, studying their layouts to inform the design process and explore innovative approaches for my own app interface.
Digital wireframes
By incorporating the language setting feature, my intention was to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all users, regardless of their origin or language preference. Additionally, placing the explore option prominently on the navigation bar streamlines the user experience, allowing individuals to effortlessly access detailed information about exhibitions without the frustration of navigating through multiple menus.
The primary objective of this screen is to offer comprehensive details about the museum's exhibitions and the diverse exploration options available to visitors. Whether they opt for a guided tour or prefer to wander independently, users can access information about the artwork and navigate the exhibits according to their preferences. The goal is to empower individuals to explore the museum at their own pace while ensuring they have access to pertinent information about the artwork on display.
I worked on a low-fidelity prototype in alignment with the established user flow, which was informed by comprehensive user research and information architecture. The primary focus of the prototype was to facilitate the creation of a self-guided tour for users. Upon accessing the prototype, users would be directed to a map of the museum, where they could chart a route using GPS navigation. This approach aimed to mitigate the risk of users getting lost while ensuring they could explore all desired exhibitions seamlessly.
Website Design Process
I created a site map to meticulously organize the information on the website and establish a clear hierarchy. This is an indispensable step in my web design process. By strategically arranging content and pages, a site map enables users to navigate the website effortlessly, enhancing their overall experience.
Usability study: findings
Users encountered some confusion regarding the location of the routes to explore the museum within the app. Instead of accessing the intended feature for exploring the museum, they inadvertently navigated to the "plan your visit" section.
Users experienced uncertainty regarding how to navigate the map and whether they could interact with it to learn more about the exhibitions.
Users expressed curiosity about how to access information about the artwork while navigating the map.
Mockups
To address this issue and enhance clarity, I have renamed the "explore" feature to "routes," making it explicitly clear to users what they can find within that section. This adjustment aims to streamline the user experience and ensure that users can easily locate and utilize the functionality to navigate the museum's routes effectively.
I implemented clearer visual cues and interactive elements within the map interface. For example, I added clickable icons or markers representing each exhibition, which, when clicked, provide users with more information about that specific exhibit. These adjustments aim to clarify the functionality of the map interface and empower users to easily access information about exhibitions with confidence.
By integrating clickable markers on the map interface, users can select specific locations to reveal relevant details about the artwork in that area. Clicking on these markers will direct users to a dedicated screen displaying all the artwork present in the room, along with comprehensive information such as title, artist, description, and relevant historical or contextual details. These enhancements are designed to facilitate a smoother and more informative navigation experience for users, ensuring they can easily access and engage with artwork details while exploring the museum map.
High-fidelity prototype
Accessibility consideration
Impact:
The app has a positive impact on visitors' museum experiences, aligning with the museum's mission to foster connections to creativity, knowledge, ideas, and each other. Through user testing with a high-fidelity prototype, participants expressed keen interest in utilizing an app like "Museum" and highlighted the significant ease it would bring to their navigation and exploration of museums they visit.
What I Learned:
Working on this project has been an invaluable learning experience for me. One of the key takeaways was gaining a deeper understanding of accessibility and its significance. Through this project, I was able to raise awareness about how accessibility benefits not only individuals with disabilities but also enhances the overall user experience for everyone. Additionally, I learned the importance of conducting testing in the early stages of the design process. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that potential issues are identified and addressed promptly, leading to a more refined and effective final product. Overall, this project has provided me with valuable insights and skills that will undoubtedly shape my future endeavors.