Design Prompt: Create an artist-bio app for an art gallery

Project Duration: 10 Weeks

Project Overview

ArtEvoked is a mobile application by the eponymous art gallery.
It provides art enthusiasts with detailed information about the featured artists at the gallery, such as their backgrounds, artistic styles, notable works, and their upcoming exhibitions.

This project was undertaken as part of a design prompt by Sharpen, in conjunction with the Google UX Certification Course.

Design Process

Research

In this first phase of the design process, I defined the target users, conducted surveys, user Interviews, and did a competitive analysis of other products

Online Survey

To begin the research phase, I conducted a survey with 14 art enthusiasts who frequently visit art galleries. The survey included a mix of closed and open-ended questions.

User Interviews

I identified the target audience as individuals who frequently visit art galleries and possess a keen interest in exploring art and artists through online platforms. I conducted virtual interviews with 5 users from the target group: Art enthusiasts aged 21-43 living in metropolitan areas of India. The interviews took place over Google Meet and focused on the following questions:

• What steps do users take to learn about artists at art galleries when they see an artwork they like?

• What do they like and dislike about the process?

• How do users stay up-to-date on the works of artists they like?

• How do users get exposed to new artists and their works?

• What motivates users to learn in detail about artists?

• What details do users like to learn about artists?
  

Competitive Analysis

I conducted a competitive analysis of 3 products that cater to the same user group of art enthusiasts, focusing on the product offering, features, and the over-all user experience of their mobile application.

Define

In this phase, I extracted key insights grounded in user data to find the needs, frustrations, and pain-points in user journeys

Affinity Mapping

To visually analyse the research data, I utilized an affinity map, which enabled the extraction of actionable insights.

User Personas

I took the research findings into consideration and developed 2 user personas that reflect the user group's goals and frustrations. These personas informed the design process.

User Journey Map

Keeping the personas in mind, I mapped out the existing paths users take to successfully achieve their goal.
The user journey map highlights the pain-points and possible improvement opportunities.

Defined Problem Statement

When visiting art galleries, art enthusiasts rely on provided pamphlets that offer limited information about the artists. They encounter challenges in staying updated on the work of their favourite artists due to the lack of a centralized and efficient platform. As a result, they are burdened with the cumbersome task of manually searching for artist details and updates online in order to stay informed.

Finalised Goals

• To streamline the process of discovering an artist's details in an intuitive manner.

• To showcase the artists' backgrounds and existing body of work effectively.

• To offer users a seamless exploration of the featured artists prior to an upcoming exhibition.

• To provide advance notifications to users regarding their favourite artists' upcoming exhibitions.

• To facilitate users in staying informed about the ongoing and upcoming art gallery exhibitions.

• To recommend similar artists and artworks.
  
  

Ideate

In this phase, I brainstormed solutions that address user needs and aim to eliminate the existing pain-points using the previously identified opportunities

Mind Map

Storyboard

Keeping the user personas and identified opportunities in mind, I created storyboards to visualize the solutions that address the pain points. These storyboards aim to depict the implementation of solutions that effectively eliminate the identified challenges.

Design & Test

I generated conceptual sketches to create wireframes and conducted preliminary usability tests. Subsequently, I designed the information architecture, user interfaces, and user interfaces and defined a cohesive visual style for the project.

Sketches & Wireframes

Initial Usability Testing

I conducted a preliminary user testing of the wireframe prototype with 5 participants using the Think-Aloud Protocol method. It revealed the following issues:

Information Architecture

With user goals and product requirements in focus, I created an information architecture that effectively visualizes and structures the app.

Visual Identity

User Interface

Onboarding

The users can sign up/ sign in or choose to skip to the onboarding screen.

To ensure a smooth onboarding experience, first-time users will be guided through prompts.

Home Page

The homepage features an "Artist of the Day" section, showcasing a different artist each day to introduce users to new artists.
Users can choose to get notified.

An "Explore Artists" section showcases all the artists featured at ArtEvoked gallery. It displays the name, picture, and art style of artists.

There is a dedicated section for upcoming and ongoing exhibitions, displaying dates and timings. Users can choose to get notified about new exhibitions.

Artist's Page

The artist's page offers a concise description of the artist, which can be expanded to provide more comprehensive information about their background, artistic style, and influences. The page also includes links to the artist's social media profiles and official website.

A prominent section within the artist's page is devoted to showcasing a selection of their artworks. Users can bookmark artists and choose to receive updates about them.

Scan QR Code

The home page features a convenient "Scan QR Code" button on the navigation bar, enabling users to effortlessly scan the displayed QR codes of artists in art galleries and pamphlets. By scanning a QR code, users can instantly access the artist's dedicated page within the app

Bookmarks

Users have the ability to bookmark their favourite artists, artworks, and exhibitions of interest.

These bookmarks can be easily accessed through the dedicated "Bookmark" tab located in the bottom navigation bar of the home page. Users can conveniently browse through their bookmarks and organize them by sorting options such as alphabetical order or chronological arrangement. Additionally, the app provides the option to apply filters by genre.

Exhibition Page

Exhibitions can be directly accessed from the home page and bookmarked by users for easy reference.

The exhibition page displays the date, timings, and a brief description of the exhibition, providing users with key details.

Users can also explore the individual pages of the artists featured in the exhibition.

Artwork Page

The artwork pages feature detailed specifications and a brief description of each piece.

The artwork pages feature detailed specifications and a brief description of each piece.

Users are provided with the option to explore similar artworks and view other artworks by the same artist.

Future Roadmap