Art to Audio App
Josy Starnes
The product:
Art to audio is a app designed with inclusivity in mind so everyone can enjoy the history and the emotions of art at their own pace.
Project overview
Project duration:
April 2024 - current
Preview of selected polished designs.
The problem:
Outdated technology museums have that they are unable to continuously update, primarily due to lack of grants or funding.
Clunky hard to use interface that require prior instruction in order to understand.
Project overview
The goal:
To create a accessible easy to use audio tour app to accompany users while they traverse the museum. Allowing for an educational immersive experience for museum goers.
This format will also allow Museum Admins to continuously update exhibit information.
My role:
UX designer designing an app for Art To Audio from conception to delivery.
Project overview
Responsibilities:
User Research
Wireframing
Usability Studies
Low Fidelity Prototype
High Fidelity Prototype
Understanding
the user
User research: summary
In my user research, I conducted interviews and unmonitored usability studies with a diverse group of participants varying in age, gender, and race. Initially, I assumed that older users would primarily benefit from the navigation function to help them find their way around. However, the research revealed that most older users valued the feature more for its ability to show them the locations of bathrooms and ramps along their route. This insight shifted my focus to enhancing accessibility features within the navigation function, ensuring it catered to the specific needs of this user group more effectively. Overall users enjoyed the ability to control the speed and duration of their visit without feeling rushed.
User research: pain points
Limited Customization
Pre-recorded audio tours may not cater to individual interests or preferences, leading to a lack of engagement for users who desire more personalized experiences.
Navigation Difficulty
Users may struggle to navigate through the museum while simultaneously listening to the audio tour, especially if the tour doesn't provide clear directions or markers.
Language Barrier
Audio tours offered in only one or a few languages may alienate visitors who speak different languages, limiting accessibility and inclusivity.
Limited Access
Visitors with disabilities may face challenges accessing audio content, especially if there are no alternatives such as transcripts or sign language interpretations available.
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Persona: Leo
Problem statement:
Leo, a user with disabilities, requires a customizable and accessible interface to improve the efficiency of their study process.
User journey map
Image of user journey map
My goal is to design a user-friendly app that enhances accessibility for users like Leo, making the museum experience more enjoyable for all visitors.
Starting
the design
Paper wireframes
My goal was to create a easy to use interface that allowed users to get more out of their Museum trip.
Here I establish what kind of navigation would be best suited for someone with limited motor skills and/or mental conditions like dyslexia.
Digital wireframes
My goal was to narrow down my paper idderations to create a smooth user flow.
I worked on limiting the amount of screens necessary to navigate to try and prevent confusion and drop off rates.
Digital wireframes
How can I make this experience streamlined while allowing for customization?
Limiting the amount of info per page so there is a clear purpose to prevent confusion.
By adding language and accessibility buttons allows shortcuts if the user gets stuck
User Flow:
Profile page (new users start here)>
Home page (users with a account start here)>
Menu choice for self guided tour>
Exhibit menu with map >
Finalize tour selection>
Begin tour.
Menu choice for scheduled tours>
List of guides available with exhibit descriptions>
Scheduling page>
Schedule confirmation with meeting instructions.
Usability study: findings
In our usability studies, we interviewed and observed a diverse group of users to assess our navigation function. Initially, we assumed older users would primarily use it for general navigation, but our findings showed they valued it most for locating bathrooms and ramps. This insight has led us to enhance the accessibility features of our navigation system.
Round 1 findings
Font Size adjustments needed
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Adjustments to Transitions
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Round 2 findings
Users Enjoy Color Pallet
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Missing essential navigation buttons
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Flow refinement needed
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Users enjoyed the simplistic navigation menu
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Refining
the design
Mockups
Adding better navigation grouping to header with visual hierarchy to indicate function to users.
Image of selected screen before usability study
Before usability study
After usability study
Image of selected screen after usability study
Mockups
Creating hierarchy to display prevalent information without overwhelming them with options and to figure out how to schedule effectively.
Before usability study
After usability study
Mockups
Accessibility considerations
We added language options to our design to accommodate non-English speakers, ensuring they can navigate and use the app comfortably in their preferred language.
An accessibility button was implemented to allow users to customize their experience based on individual needs, such as adjusting font sizes, color contrast, and input methods.
We designed large buttons, text, and high-contrast color schemes to assist users with visual impairments, making the interface more readable and easier to interact with.
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Going forward
Takeaways
Impact:
Our designs have significantly improved user accessibility, with one study participant stating, "The customization options and clear navigation make the app incredibly user-friendly, even for those with visual impairments." This positive feedback highlights the effectiveness of our enhancements in creating an inclusive user experience.
What I learned:
Throughout this project, I learned the importance of considering diverse user needs in design, particularly in terms of accessibility. Implementing language options, customizable accessibility features, and design elements for visual impairments highlighted how small changes can significantly enhance usability. I also discovered the value of user feedback in identifying areas for improvement and validating design decisions. Overall, this project reinforced the necessity of inclusive design practices to create products that serve a wide range of users effectively.
Next steps
The next step is to work closely with engineers to create accurate and reliable navigation for the museum, ensuring that all users can easily find their way and access key amenities.
Conducting a larger-scale usability study is essential to gather more comprehensive feedback and insights, helping to refine and improve the design based on a broader range of user experiences.
Additionally, I would explore integrating real-time feedback mechanisms within the app to continuously collect user input and promptly address any emerging accessibility issues.
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Let’s connect!
If you’d like to review more of my work or discuss potential collaborations, please feel free to contact me. You can reach me at josyteson@gmail.com, or visit my portfolio at ccreatorstudios.com, connect with me on Linkedin . I look forward to connecting with you!