As an art enthusiast and immigrant, I often face language barriers and challenges in discovering information about local artists when exploring new art scenes. However, I believe that understanding the artist's perspective can greatly enhance our appreciation for their work. Additionally, I would like to be able to quickly access information about their upcoming exhibitions and connect with them online.
UX Researcher
UX/UI Designer
By designing an app that utilizes AR technology, I aim to create an immersive experience that connects users with artists in a meaningful way. The app will allow users to scan artwork and access artist bios, social media profiles, and personal opinions about the piece. Through this app, users can support local artists and discover new talent, even when visiting unfamiliar destinations.
Furthermore, by gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning behind each artwork, users can cultivate a greater appreciation for the art and the stories it tells.
Figma, Figjam, Notion, Photoshop, Illustrator
During the empathize phase, I focused on gaining a profound understanding of the users and identifying their pain points to better comprehend their needs. Using two research methods, I first analyzed popular art platforms for trends. Additionally, I conducted interviews for richer insights into user experiences.
Research Goals:
• Understanding users' challenges in exploring new art scenes and connecting with artists.
• Identifying common user behaviors and experiences in unfamiliar settings.
• Exploring users' attitudes toward technology in the art world and how these attitudes might influence their use of the app.
I used a competitive audit to assess products similar to mine in the market. With this analysis, I was able to examine both their strengths and areas where they may be lacking.
Qualitative interviews are important to understand the user's point of view and empathize with them. I interviewed four users aged between 20 and 50 who visit art galleries at least once a year and use mobile devices on a daily basis. Two of the participants were immigrants in Europe, and one of them did not speak English very well. These interviews gave me detailed information about their art space experiences, including their thoughts and emotions.
Key Findings:
• While all participants use mobile devices daily, there was a significant variation in the level of technological literacy. This suggests that the app should be user-friendly and intuitive, even for those with less experience using technology.
• Participants expressed frustration with the difficulty of discovering local artists and upcoming art events in a new city or country. There is a clear need for a platform that simplifies this process and makes it easier for art enthusiasts to connect with artists.
• The non-English speaking participant struggled to find information on art spaces and events due to language barriers. This highlights the importance of including multilingual support in the app to ensure accessibility for a wider audience.
• Some participants expressed a desire for a more personalized experience, with recommendations based on their interests and preferences. This suggests that the app could incorporate features such as personalized recommendations and event suggestions.
• Immigrant participants shared their experience of feeling disconnected from the local art scene, despite their interest. The app could potentially help immigrants and travellers feel more connected to the local art community and discover new artists in their area.
After developing a deeper understanding of the users’ needs and goals, I created personas and a journey map to better illustrate the user journey and illuminate any pain points and opportunities. This stage was pivotal in bridging user insights with practical design planning.
Using the collected data, I brainstormed, compiled, and structured the information architecture.
During the ideation phase, I moved from insights and ideas to actual screens. Starting with pen and paper, I transitioned those initial sketches into low-fidelity wireframes, supplementing the design process with storyboards to visually narrate the user journey and interactions.
I created a design system to maintain visual consistency across all screens prior to creating the high-fidelity wireframes.
I wanted to add Augmented Reality (AR) to the mix, but it's tricky – it has to be more than just a cool trick; it needs to actually help users. AR is becoming popular for quickly scanning artwork in museums. It's hands-free and quicker than using QR codes or typing in codes to get basic info and audio guides.
Some rules to make sure AR adds value:
• AR should give users info quickly to make their experience better.
• The design shouldn't get in the way of the artwork.
• Any buttons or things to tap should be easy to figure out.
I made prototypes to show basic info about artwork when you point your phone camera at it. If the user wants more details, they just have to press the info button.
The onboarding process ensures a swift and straightforward introduction, featuring:
• User selection of their preferred language.
• Personalized recommendations delivered through notifications.
• Utilization of the user's location for suggestions on nearby exhibitions, galleries, and museums.
• The final step, users pick topics of interest, fostering a deeper understanding of preferences and tailoring the experience accordingly.
The home screen plays a pivotal role in addressing user needs and concerns by providing quick and accessible content to foster user interest and knowledge.
Key Features:
• Scan: Prominently positioned at the top of the screen, the Scan feature serves as the main functionality of the app, offering users easy access to the core function.
• Today’s Topic: Designed to educate users on new artworks, Today’s Topic serves as an engaging element to capture user attention and encourage regular app usage.
• Near You: This section keeps users informed about art galleries, exhibitions, and museums in their area, enhancing their awareness of local art scenes.
• Recommended Artists: Users are presented with recommendations to discover fresh content, adding a layer of personalization to their art exploration.
• Latest Scans: Providing quick access to recently scanned artworks, the Latest Scans feature allows users to conveniently revisit their discoveries.
The Scan feature stands as the central element of the app, conveniently accessible from the homepage or navigation bar. Using Augmented Reality (AR) technology, it enables users to swiftly scan artworks in museums and galleries. The simplicity lies in users pointing their phone cameras for quick access to basic information. To delve deeper, a tap on the info button unfolds additional details. This integration is designed to heighten user engagement and foster a deeper understanding of art.
The Browse function in the app lets you explore Artists, Artworks, Places, and Events. Each category starts with personalized recommendations for a tailored experience.
In My Collections, users can curate personalized folders like "Italy Trip" or "All-Time Favorites." They have the freedom to add Artists, Artworks, and Museums to these folders, creating their own unique art narratives. It's a dynamic feature that allows users to organize and revisit their most cherished art discoveries with ease, making their art exploration truly personal.
•Usability Testing: Conduct a comprehensive usability tests to assess the current solution and discover potential areas for improvement.
• Virtual Guided Tours with AR: Introducing virtual guided tours to elevate user engagement, harnessing the capabilities of Augmented Reality (AR) for immersive and enriching art experiences.
• Ticket Booking Integration: Exploring the feasibility of seamlessly integrating a ticket booking feature directly within the app, simplifying the user experience for planning visits to galleries and museums.
• Enhanced Personalization: Refining and expanding personalization features to tailor the app to individual user preferences, ensuring a more personalized and enjoyable art exploration.
• Community Engagement: Creating platforms for community engagement within the app, facilitating discussions and connections among art enthusiasts to foster a community.
ArtSPOT was the first application I have ever designed. In the process, I learned to navigate unfamiliar challenges with curiosity and confidence. I realized the importance of scoping out features for iterative solutions rather than trying to solve every problem at once. Starting with an initial idea and refining it proved more effective than waiting for perfection. Putting users first in my thinking made decisions clearer. Even though making all my ideas work was a bit tricky, this is just the start of my design journey.
