THE CRESCENT GALLERY APP
Project: Crescent Gallery app Role: Team Lead, Researcher, Visuals, Interaction Duration: 08.24 - 10.24
Challenges
During the design process of this product, there were four specific challenges I wanted to focus on addressing.
1. Make scheduling gallery visits quick and simple with clear event dates and times.
By making all the necessary date, time and exhibition information readily available from page one, users can get their events booked as quickly and easily as they would like. Including both a dedicated "Exhibitions" and "Schedule" screen, that are navigable using the bottom navigation bar, can help users thoroughly filter down and search for specific artists, artwork, and exhibits that also fit their schedule.
2. Design with accessibility in mind, both in-app and for in-person exhibition visits.
Accessibility was one of the key challenges I wanted to design for in this project. By designing with accessibility in mind from the very beginning of the design process, I was able to create a clear and concise experience for all manner of users. With options to change the app to a dark mode layout, font sizes, and screen reader compatibility. As well as including the accessibility of each exhibition on their individual pages. This would include the in-person accessibility features at the gallery.
3. Create a minimalistic UI to emphasise exhibitions and scheduling to users.
With a clear and simple UI, the design of this app helps users to easily access the two main features of the app, discovering and booking exhibitions. Making sure the user flow is accessible for users of varying technological experience. The ability to house booked tickets in-app also works to keep all necessary information easily accessible, and takes away any potential opportunity to get lost or confused when navigating the app.
4. Provide exhibition fees upfront, offer discounts, and clearly show free exhibitions.
A key challenge that users came across when booking gallery visits is exhibition fees. I wanted to have fee information for each exhibit be as easily accessible as possible, as well as a dedicated button that filtered free exhibitions from paid ones on the "Exhibitions" screen. When navigating the event booking menus, you have several ticket options to choose from, with various discounts being made clear to the user depending on the ticket section they fall under. Also, an option to add a discount code allows users to further reduce their event fees.
Style Guide
Combining dark navy and vivid yellow colours to create The Crescent Gallery's signature style identity came from wanting to express the interstellar theme that heavily inspired the gallery's branding to users.
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Takeaways
Although not based on a real-world gallery, The Crescent Gallery App is an idea that is very close to my heart, having trained as an illustrator/animator and being an art enthusiast. I wanted to make art more accessible to a wider audience, no matter your background or preference, art is for anyone with an open mind and a willingness to discover. This was my first UX Design project, and my first time using the goal-directed design process, and I can say it has been instrumental in the curation of this product. I have learned that by analysing data and conducting comprehensive research to assess user behaviours, habits, and actions, you will not only further the users' goals, but the goals of the business as well.
Be sure to check out the process for this project's creation below!
Thank you!