ArtWave

ArtWave is a mobile app concept designed to enhance and personalize the museum experience through interactive exhibits, custom audio tours, and real-time information. The app's primary goal is to make art more engaging and accessible to users by providing them with the tools to tailor their museum journey according to their interests. Through thoughtful user-centered design and intuitive features, ArtWave enriches artistic engagement for all types of museum-goers.

Project Overview

The app was conceptualized to help users navigate art galleries more efficiently, access detailed information about exhibits, and customize their visits. By focusing on user-friendly design, ArtWave improves how people interact with museums, making their visit more immersive and enjoyable.

Goals

Customizable Journeys: Users can start personalized tours, based on their preferences, whether they want to focus on a specific artist, style, or era.

Accessibility: Thoughtful use of colors, fonts, and navigation patterns ensures that the app is intuitive for all users.

Seamless Interaction: Features like artwork scanning and audio tours provide an interactive layer to the museum experience, allowing users to explore at their own pace.

UX Research

Competitive Audit

A competitive audit of existing museum apps revealed key insights into user preferences and gaps in functionality. Notable competitors include:

Smartify

Offers extensive artwork information but lacks customizable tour features.

Artivive

Provides interactive art experiences but lacks robust navigation tools.

ArtWave aims to combine the best features of these competitors while addressing their shortcomings, particularly in personalization and user-friendly navigation.

Persona

Name: Sarah Johnson

Age: 34

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Tech Proficiency: High

Interests: Art, technology, interactive experiences, social media

“I want an app that not only helps me navigate the museum but also lets me dive deeper into the art that resonates with me. Personalization is key to making each visit special.”

— Sarah Johnson

Goals

To learn more about specific artists and their work.
To navigate museums efficiently without missing key exhibits.

Frustrations

Difficulty finding detailed information quickly.
Overwhelming navigation options in other apps.
Lack of personalized experiences in museum visits.

Wireframes

Usability Study

The usability study focused on an interactive wireframe of ArtWave. This wireframe, which served as the foundational design, was tested to evaluate user interaction, app navigation, and key features. The primary goal was to assess the usability of the ArtWave wireframe and identify its strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, the research aimed to understand users' emotional and functional needs while interacting with the platform, ensuring that the app complements and enhances the museum experience.

Participants

Five participants took part in the study. The group included tech-savvy young professionals, older individuals who prefer simple technology, and art enthusiasts active on social media or working in creative fields.

Methodology

The usability study also allowed participants to provide immediate feedback on confusing or unintuitive elements within the wireframe, helping to identify areas for improvement before moving on to prototype designs.

Key Findings and Recommendations

Change Language for Clarity

Revise section headings and descriptions to ensure clarity and ease of navigation for users.

Improved Navigation and Info Access

The overall navigation was intuitive, but clearer indicators (such as icons, dividers, and tooltips) would help users navigating between galleries and exhibits.