GalleryPal
GalleryPal is a mobile application that lets users find museums and galleries in their area, browse through collections and get information about the art.
Project Context
Design Sprint
Solo Project
Roles & Responsibilities
Product Designer
Tools
Figma
Miro
The Problem
Guests wish to gain more from the art they view but feel overwhelmed
Museum and gallery-goers view art and pieces of history to learn and gain something from their experience. Though oftentimes, they feel overwhelmed when looking up information about art or artists, as articles may be too long to read. Guests want to leave with a greater appreciation of the art they just viewed.
The Solution
Museum and galleries that are easy to find and browse through from home and on the go
I designed an application where users can find museums and galleries and collections, as well as individual pieces of art and history, where they can read and listen to brief, crucial information about the piece.
Day 1
Understanding user needs and mapping
User interviews suggest that guests want to know more about the art prior to arriving at the museum, but they are overwhelmed when looking up information. Our persona, Angela, goes to museums and galleries alone regularly, she does not research beforehand. She would like to receive her information quickly and believes knowledge of the art would enhance her viewing experience.
Learning from an industry expert
According to Lena Carroll, museum tour guide at the American Museum of Natural History, having context can give users more out of the experience. Art is about the artist but it is also a way to understand oneself, and therefore it is a way for the viewer to interpret the meaning of the work on their own, with the given information.
Mapping a potential solution
I mapped out an end-to-end experience for users, where they could find museums and galleries in their area, search artists and collections, and be able to read and listen to information about the art they are viewing.
Day 2
Lightning demos + sketches
On day 2, I conducted lightning demos by researching competitors that had similars goals to GalleryPal. I sketched the most critical screen afterwards.
National Gallery of Art, DC
In-app navigation
Artwork is sectioned off by location (floor, wing, etc.)
Audio guide that automatically plays when users hold phone to their ear
Transcript of audio guide
Navigation to each piece
Rijksmuseum (Museum of the Netherlands)
In-app navigation
Artwork is sectioned off collection and tour
Audio guide and transcript about each piece of art
Navigation to each piece
American Natural History Museum
In-app navigation
Artwork is sectioned off by location
Recommendations for users
Navigation to each piece
Sketching possible solutions
I sketched 8 possible solutions and ultimately chose the fifth sketch because a bottom navigation would be the most efficient way for users to find what they need. Expansion panels can prevent users from feeling overwhelmed with information.
Day 3
User Flows
Using the critical screen as a starting point, I sketched the user flow of the MVP. The goal is for users to be able to learn about each artwork, whether they are at the location or at home before their visit. Users can navigate to a museum/gallery, find information about artwork, and save locations and artworks. I toyed with the idea of an audio button if users don’t feel like reading.
Day 4
Prototyping
Day 5
Testing
In order to find out whether this solution could allow users to successfully perform their tasks, I conducted 5 remote usability tests with interviewees. I asked them to find information about a piece of artwork. I found that:
Users understood the format and how to find artwork
Users were successful in completing the task
Some users had trouble understanding the purpose of the navigation icon under each painting and collection
One user wanted to know more about the filter option when viewing collections and how the artwork is sorted
Most users did not notice the play button below the individual artwork
Based on this feedback, I would make these changes:
Reflection
Put user needs first. I would often think about adding more screens because I felt as though the prototype was not thorough. I had to remind myself that this is an MVP, and the goal is for the user to be able to complete the primary task.
Observe products from different industries. When conducting lightning demos, I believe my error was only looking at competitors within the industry. Though I did find valuable information, I would have learned more if I had researched products beyond the industry.