Engaging museum visitors with interactive art experiences
Engaging museum visitors with interactive art experiences
Role
UX/UI Designer
Duration
5 days
Tools
Figma, Adobe Photoshop
PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROJECT OVERVIEW
GalleryPal served as a modified Google Ventures Design Sprint in an online UX challenge
GalleryPal served as a modified Google Ventures Design Sprint in an online UX challenge
GalleryPal is a mobile app designed to improve visitor satisfaction for museum and art gallery visitors.
GalleryPal is a mobile app designed to improve visitor satisfaction for museum and art gallery visitors.
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
Museum visitors struggle to enjoy the art-viewing experience when exhibits fail to provide extended contextual information
Museum visitors struggle to enjoy the art-viewing experience when exhibits fail to provide extended contextual information
Museums and galleries (hereafter, museums) host extraordinary stories in diverse mediums that enrich our understanding of history and culture. These stories, however, are not told in their entirety – they are often truncated to small, short placards.
How can GalleryPal deliver meaningful in-person experiences to museum visitors?
Museums and galleries (hereafter, museums) host extraordinary stories in diverse mediums that enrich our understanding of history and culture. These stories, however, are not told in their entirety – they are often truncated to small, short placards.
How can GalleryPal deliver meaningful in-person experiences to museum visitors?
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
Facilitate aesthetic art experiences with curated audio and written storytelling guides
Facilitate aesthetic art experiences with curated audio and written storytelling guides
DAY 1 - UNDERSTAND AND MAP
DAY 1 - UNDERSTAND AND MAP
Contextualization
Contextualization
GalleryPal interviewed 7 users to understand their goals and paint points when visiting museums. Research highlights from these user interviews were synthesized alongside an expert review and user persona to inform the decision-making process.
GalleryPal interviewed 7 users to understand their goals and paint points when visiting museums. Research highlights from these user interviews were synthesized alongside an expert review and user persona to inform the decision-making process.
Museum visitors want to tap into their sense of wonder and curiosity by learning more about the exhibits. They want to experience the story, understand the context, and ultimately leave a more-informed person.
Museum visitors want to tap into their sense of wonder and curiosity by learning more about the exhibits. They want to experience the story, understand the context, and ultimately leave a more-informed person.
Expert Interview
Expert Interview
Lena Carroll, a tour guide at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, places emphasis on context, in other words, the background, setting, intention, or historical significance of art. It is the context that helps museum visitors derive their own meaning on art.
She says that this intimate reflection delivers memorable experiences to museum visitors.
Lena Carroll, a tour guide at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, places emphasis on context, in other words, the background, setting, intention, or historical significance of art. It is the context that helps museum visitors derive their own meaning on art.
She says that this intimate reflection delivers memorable experiences to museum visitors.
Persona
Persona
Angela is a semi-fictional user persona representing GalleryPal’s target audience. Angela’s goals and paint points guide GalleryPal to design a mobile solution that delivers quick, digestible information that helps her gain insight and appreciation for the exhibits.
Angela is a semi-fictional user persona representing GalleryPal’s target audience. Angela’s goals and paint points guide GalleryPal to design a mobile solution that delivers quick, digestible information that helps her gain insight and appreciation for the exhibits.
User Map
User Map
After forming a solid foundation on the research and the problem statement, I designed two critical paths a museum visitor may experience when using GalleryPal to improve their museum experience. The paths show two ways a visitor can engage with exhibit information.
After forming a solid foundation on the research and the problem statement, I designed two critical paths a museum visitor may experience when using GalleryPal to improve their museum experience. The paths show two ways a visitor can engage with exhibit information.
I chose to move forward with Flow 1 because, unless a visitor is privy to a museum’s exhibition pieces, the sequence of behaviors for most visitors to a museum will involve the visitor first spotting novel artwork they want to learn more about, in which case they can access supplemental information related to the artist and art by scanning it with their smartphone.
This option follows a popular flow found in restaurant where diners scan QR codes to access the menu. The familiarity of this process presents fertile ground for GalleryPal to deliver curated educational content directly to museum visitors.
I chose to move forward with Flow 1 because, unless a visitor is privy to a museum’s exhibition pieces, the sequence of behaviors for most visitors to a museum will involve the visitor first spotting novel artwork they want to learn more about, in which case they can access supplemental information related to the artist and art by scanning it with their smartphone.
This option follows a popular flow found in restaurant where diners scan QR codes to access the menu. The familiarity of this process presents fertile ground for GalleryPal to deliver curated educational content directly to museum visitors.
DAY 2 - SKETCH
DAY 2 - SKETCH
Lightning demos
Lightning demos
I completed lightning demos to evaluate and source inspiration for the next phase of the design sprint. I explored dozens of mobile applications until I landed on three that sparked my creative muscles.
"What's my company's emissions metrics?"
"Can I see a breakdown of my emissions?"
"What can I do to offset or reduce my company's carbon emissions?"
I completed lightning demos to evaluate and source inspiration for the next phase of the design sprint. I explored dozens of mobile applications until I landed on three that sparked my creative muscles.
"What's my company's emissions metrics?"
"Can I see a breakdown of my emissions?"
"What can I do to offset or reduce my company's carbon emissions?"
Google Arts & Culture
Google Arts & Culture
Collections are displayed on the home page, allowing users to readily browse interesting artwork
Search and recommendation system
Zoom feature
Artwork summary and details that include title, creator, date, physical dimensions
Collections are displayed on the home page, allowing users to readily browse interesting artwork
Search and recommendation system
Zoom feature
Artwork summary and details that include title, creator, date, physical dimensions
Smartify
Smartify
The purpose of the “Scan” bottom nav icon is readily understood due to the familiar icon and name
Once in the scan feature, the Box Capture automatically detected the Mona Lisa and directed me to its page
Read More link expands additional information via progressive disclosure
Artwork details and fun facts
The purpose of the “Scan” bottom nav icon is readily understood due to the familiar icon and name
Once in the scan feature, the Box Capture automatically detected the Mona Lisa and directed me to its page
Read More link expands additional information via progressive disclosure
Artwork details and fun facts
Waking Up
Waking Up
Simple and clean UI
Browse through mindfulness lessons using an intuitive carousel
Comprehensive information center displays the cover photograph, title, artist, biography, and much more
Audio player includes essentials elements
Simple and clean UI
Browse through mindfulness lessons using an intuitive carousel
Comprehensive information center displays the cover photograph, title, artist, biography, and much more
Audio player includes essentials elements
Crazy 8s
Crazy 8s
Time to get some ideas on paper.
Crazy 8’s is an ideation technique that removes perfectionism by challenging me to sketch eight ideas in eight minutes. My priority here was to help Angela scan and retrieve information as smoothly as possible.
Time to get some ideas on paper.
Crazy 8’s is an ideation technique that removes perfectionism by challenging me to sketch eight ideas in eight minutes. My priority here was to help Angela scan and retrieve information as smoothly as possible.
The sketches show different ways of displaying information such as scanning and searching features and artwork information such as title, artist biography, and other details via written and audio guides.
The sketches show different ways of displaying information such as scanning and searching features and artwork information such as title, artist biography, and other details via written and audio guides.
Solution Sketch
Solution Sketch
What does Angela do if she's walking through a museum and sees a painting that catches her eye?
What does Angela do if she's walking through a museum and sees a painting that catches her eye?
From this scenario, it is evident the most critical screen is the scan feature. For my solution sketch, I expand on this primary activity along with its preceding and succeeding screens.
From this scenario, it is evident the most critical screen is the scan feature. For my solution sketch, I expand on this primary activity along with its preceding and succeeding screens.
DAY 3 - DECIDE
DAY 3 - DECIDE
Storyboard
Storyboard
Building upon the three solution sketches during the previous day, I proceeded with the storyboarding phase that focuses on Angela’s desire to improve her art-viewing experience at the local museum.
Building upon the three solution sketches during the previous day, I proceeded with the storyboarding phase that focuses on Angela’s desire to improve her art-viewing experience at the local museum.
Dashboard > Scan Feature > Camera access > Awaiting artwork scan
Dashboard > Scan Feature > Camera access > Awaiting artwork scan
I wanted to emphasize both the search and scan features by incorporating each in the bottom nav bar such that Angela is always one click away from the app's primary tasks. Watch as Angela grants camera access to GalleryPal prior to positioning the physical painting into the camera's frame.
I wanted to emphasize both the search and scan features by incorporating each in the bottom nav bar such that Angela is always one click away from the app's primary tasks. Watch as Angela grants camera access to GalleryPal prior to positioning the physical painting into the camera's frame.
Scan atwork > View artwork details > Read section content
Scan atwork > View artwork details > Read section content
Once GalleryPal's image-recognition software recognizes the painting, it directs to a screen showcasing artwork details such as the title, artist name, date, in addition to multiple topic threads about this specific artwork that is accessed through progressive disclosures. This solves the need for quick, easily-accessible information.
Once GalleryPal's image-recognition software recognizes the painting, it directs to a screen showcasing artwork details such as the title, artist name, date, in addition to multiple topic threads about this specific artwork that is accessed through progressive disclosures. This solves the need for quick, easily-accessible information.
Play audio guide > Expand audio player > View full audio player
Play audio guide > Expand audio player > View full audio player
Angela is provided a dedicative audio listening experience that feels reminiscent of the popular audio apps including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, affording her an intuitive, familiar experience.
Angela is provided a dedicative audio listening experience that feels reminiscent of the popular audio apps including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, affording her an intuitive, familiar experience.
Angela is offered an intuitive, familiar user experience
Angela is offered an intuitive, familiar user experience
Angela can now identify novel artwork and choose to learn something new about anything that interests her via audio or written form
Angela can now identify novel artwork and choose to learn something new about anything that interests her via audio or written form
DAY 4 - PROTOTYPE
DAY 4 - PROTOTYPE
Hi-fidelity screens
Hi-fidelity screens
These screens represent a minimum viable product that addressed the primary need identified during the initial stages of the design sprint: accessible and succinct contextual information.
These screens represent a minimum viable product that addressed the primary need identified during the initial stages of the design sprint: accessible and succinct contextual information.
DAY 5 - TEST
DAY 5 - TEST
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Lucky for me, I conducted 5 in-person usability tests while vacationing at a lake in Seattle, Washington. With these tests, I set out to discover if users:
1) could navigate to the scan feature
2) understood how to use the progressive disclosures
3) knew how play audio guides
The results:
Lucky for me, I conducted 5 in-person usability tests while vacationing at a lake in Seattle, Washington. With these tests, I set out to discover if users:
1) could navigate to the scan feature
2) understood how to use the progressive disclosures
3) knew how play audio guides
The results:
Testing results
Testing results
All of the users were able to complete all three tasks. The application was considered “easy to use” and provided sufficient information to form a solid foundation on the artwork, which aligns with the needs of the user interviews. One user said they, “enjoyed the drop-down menu because it allowed them to read as much or as little as they wanted”.
Ultimately, I discovered two major fixes with some minor UI fixes.
All of the users were able to complete all three tasks. The application was considered “easy to use” and provided sufficient information to form a solid foundation on the artwork, which aligns with the needs of the user interviews. One user said they, “enjoyed the drop-down menu because it allowed them to read as much or as little as they wanted”.
Ultimately, I discovered two major fixes with some minor UI fixes.
Expanded vertical scrolling to account for more screen real estate. The screen is less truncated and therefore more eligible.
Expanded vertical scrolling to account for more screen real estate. The screen is less truncated and therefore more eligible.
Museum visitors are given the option to purchase entry tickets at the box office and on GalleryPal. More options, less friction, happier visitors!
Updated information to include Hours of Operation and Museum Map. When using GalleryPal, users who want to know museum hours or navigate through the map should not be forced to exit the app and find the above information on Google.
Museum visitors are given the option to purchase entry tickets at the box office and on GalleryPal. More options, less friction, happier visitors!
Updated information to include Hours of Operation and Museum Map. When using GalleryPal, users who want to know museum hours or navigate through the map should not be forced to exit the app and find the above information on Google.
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Takeaway
Takeaway
This modified GV design spring was both rewarding and challenging as it forced me to focus on the application’s core functionality under a strict time constraint. With it came an understanding of the importance of tackling a problem quickly using a highly-focused approach. This framework showed me not to antagonize over trivial UI details as long as I am achieving the primary business objective, in this case, improving the art-viewing experience of museum visitors.
This modified GV design spring was both rewarding and challenging as it forced me to focus on the application’s core functionality under a strict time constraint. With it came an understanding of the importance of tackling a problem quickly using a highly-focused approach. This framework showed me not to antagonize over trivial UI details as long as I am achieving the primary business objective, in this case, improving the art-viewing experience of museum visitors.
Next steps
Next steps
01 | Art accessibility: Although GalleryPal incorporated audio content, this product has the opportunity to better serve hearing and vision-impaired museum visitors such as audio guides, audio displays, and multisensory experiences. Some disabilities are easier than others to accommodate. However, GalleryPal can work with museums to feature accessible art events for all to enjoy.
02 | Edge cases: What does a museum visitor do if an artwork is not scanning successfully? What happens if a topic thread does not offer alternative language translations? What happens if a visitor does not see their local museum in our database? These edge cases are important to address and design in order to increase and maintain customer satisfaction for GalleryPal users.
03 | Implementing map: The user experience encapsulates more than simply interacting with the artwork, it also includes navigating throughout the museum itself. Implementing a geospatial map, perhaps with an augmented reality map, could significantly improve how visitors move through larger museums.
01 | Art accessibility: Although GalleryPal incorporated audio content, this product has the opportunity to better serve hearing and vision-impaired museum visitors such as audio guides, audio displays, and multisensory experiences. Some disabilities are easier than others to accommodate. However, GalleryPal can work with museums to feature accessible art events for all to enjoy.
02 | Edge cases: What does a museum visitor do if an artwork is not scanning successfully? What happens if a topic thread does not offer alternative language translations? What happens if a visitor does not see their local museum in our database? These edge cases are important to address and design in order to increase and maintain customer satisfaction for GalleryPal users.
03 | Implementing map: The user experience encapsulates more than simply interacting with the artwork, it also includes navigating throughout the museum itself. Implementing a geospatial map, perhaps with an augmented reality map, could significantly improve how visitors move through larger museums.
GOOD DESIGN IS GOOD BUSINESS.
let me help you achieve BOTH.
GOOD DESIGN IS GOOD BUSINESS.
let me help you achieve BOTH.
Role
UX/UI designer
Duration
5 days
Tools
Figma, Adobe Photoshop
Role
UX/UI Designer
Duration
5 days
Tools
Figma, Adobe Photoshop