GalleryPal

GalleryPal

GalleryPal

Google Ventures Design Sprint

Team of One • One Week • January 2023

Google Ventures Design Sprint

Team of One • One Week • January 2023

Google Ventures Design Sprint

Team of One • One Week • January 2023

The
Client

The Client

The Client

GalleryPal is a mobile app built to improve the experience of viewing art in a museum. The goal for GalleryPal is to increase customer satisfaction for visitors, so they are able to leave feeling that they have learned something new and meaningful about the exhibition.

GalleryPal is a mobile app built to improve the experience of viewing art in a museum. The goal for GalleryPal is to increase customer satisfaction for visitors, so they are able to leave feeling that they have learned something new and meaningful about the exhibition.

GalleryPal is a mobile app built to improve the experience of viewing art in a museum. The goal for GalleryPal is to increase customer satisfaction for visitors, so they are able to leave feeling that they have learned something new and meaningful about the exhibition.

The Problem

The Problem

The Problem

The problem GalleryPal is trying to solve is that many museum-goers leave feeling disappointed with their experience, because they were unable to fully understand the art. They feel there’s a missed opportunity to understand the context of the art and form their own opinion about the piece. Users are unable to share their experience because they feel they lack sufficient knowledge about the exhibition.

The problem GalleryPal is trying to solve is that many museum-goers leave feeling disappointed with their experience, because they were unable to fully understand the art. They feel there’s a missed opportunity to understand the context of the art and form their own opinion about the piece. Users are unable to share their experience because they feel they lack sufficient knowledge about the exhibition.

The problem GalleryPal is trying to solve is that many museum-goers leave feeling disappointed with their experience, because they were unable to fully understand the art. They feel there’s a missed opportunity to understand the context of the art and form their own opinion about the piece. Users are unable to share their experience because they feel they lack sufficient knowledge about the exhibition.

My Role

My Role

My Role

As the sole product designer, I was responsible for synthesizing GalleryPal’s user research and interviews, understanding the created persona in order to sketch, storyboard, prototype, and test a solution for this problem. The solution needed to be a mobile app and be designed for an in-person viewing experience. All work was completed in five days, following a modified Google Ventures Design Sprint.

As the sole product designer, I was responsible for synthesizing GalleryPal’s user research and interviews, understanding the created persona in order to sketch, storyboard, prototype, and test a solution for this problem. The solution needed to be a mobile app and be designed for an in-person viewing experience. All work was completed in five days, following a modified Google Ventures Design Sprint.

As the sole product designer, I was responsible for synthesizing GalleryPal’s user research and interviews, understanding the created persona in order to sketch, storyboard, prototype, and test a solution for this problem. The solution needed to be a mobile app and be designed for an in-person viewing experience. All work was completed in five days, following a modified Google Ventures Design Sprint.

Day One:
Understand and Map

Day One:
Understand and Map

Day One:
Understand
and Map

Research Highlights

Research Highlights

Research Highlights

User Interviews

User Interviews

Through GalleryPal’s research highlights, I learned that most museum guests enjoy exhibitions by themselves and are uninterested in joining a tour. Many are coming without much knowledge about the art they are viewing, often going casually to browse the artwork. Guests want to feel like they could gain deeper knowledge for each piece when at the museum without reading a lengthy article.

Through GalleryPal’s research highlights, I learned that most museum guests enjoy exhibitions by themselves and are uninterested in joining a tour. Many are coming without much knowledge about the art they are viewing, often going casually to browse the artwork. Guests want to feel like they could gain deeper knowledge for each piece when at the museum without reading a lengthy article.

Through GalleryPal’s research highlights, I learned that most museum guests enjoy exhibitions by themselves and are uninterested in joining a tour. Many are coming without much knowledge about the art they are viewing, often going casually to browse the artwork. Guests want to feel like they could gain deeper knowledge for each piece when at the museum without reading a lengthy article.

User Interview Affinity Map Notes

User Interview Affinity Map Notes

User Interview Affinity Map Notes

Expert Interview

Expert Interview

In an expert interview with Lina, a guide at the Museum of Natural History, she mentioned that her goal is to set up the context for the art, and encourage museum go-ers to form their own opinion. She said that sharing tidbits about the background of an artist and why the artist made this work really helps tell a story that is memorable for visitors.

In an expert interview with Lina, a guide at the Museum of Natural History, she mentioned that her goal is to set up the context for the art, and encourage museum go-ers to form their own opinion. She said that sharing tidbits about the background of an artist and why the artist made this work really helps tell a story that is memorable for visitors.

In an expert interview with Lina, a guide at the Museum of Natural History, she mentioned that her goal is to set up the context for the art, and encourage museum go-ers to form their own opinion. She said that sharing tidbits about the background of an artist and why the artist made this work really helps tell a story that is memorable for visitors.

Expert Interview Affinity Map Notes

Expert Interview Affinity Map Notes

Expert Interview Affinity Map Notes

Persona

Persona

The goals for GalleryPal’s persona, Angela, include obtaining quick information about the art she is looking at, and to develop a stronger appreciation of the work through this information.

The goals for GalleryPal’s persona, Angela, include obtaining quick information about the art she is looking at, and to develop a stronger appreciation of the work through this information.

The goals for GalleryPal’s persona, Angela, include obtaining quick information about the art she is looking at, and to develop a stronger appreciation of the work through this information.

Persona Card

Persona Card

Persona Card

Solution Statement

Solution Statement

Solution Statement

I want to design a mobile app that allows Angela to identify and gain greater knowledge about the art she is viewing, so that she is able to form her own opinion about the piece to share with a friend. The information needs to be easily digestible in both written and audio formats, so she can read or listen while viewing the piece uninterrupted. The app will also have the ability to bookmark her favorite artwork, so Angela can quickly show her friend the artwork during their discussion.

I want to design a mobile app that allows Angela to identify and gain greater knowledge about the art she is viewing, so that she is able to form her own opinion about the piece to share with a friend. The information needs to be easily digestible in both written and audio formats, so she can read or listen while viewing the piece uninterrupted. The app will also have the ability to bookmark her favorite artwork, so Angela can quickly show her friend the artwork during their discussion.

I want to design a mobile app that allows Angela to identify and gain greater knowledge about the art she is viewing, so that she is able to form her own opinion about the piece to share with a friend. The information needs to be easily digestible in both written and audio formats, so she can read or listen while viewing the piece uninterrupted. The app will also have the ability to bookmark her favorite artwork, so Angela can quickly show her friend the artwork during their discussion.

Map

Map

Map

Putting this research and my solution statement together, I developed some potential end-to-end user maps, starting with a museum guest finding an artwork they’d like to learn more about, taking a photograph of the piece, then having the options to read more snack-able information about the piece, or save to a favorite’s list for future discussions and research about the art.

Putting this research and my solution statement together, I developed some potential end-to-end user maps, starting with a museum guest finding an artwork they’d like to learn more about, taking a photograph of the piece, then having the options to read more snack-able information about the piece, or save to a favorite’s list for future discussions and research about the art.

Putting this research and my solution statement together, I developed some potential end-to-end user maps, starting with a museum guest finding an artwork they’d like to learn more about, taking a photograph of the piece, then having the options to read more snack-able information about the piece, or save to a favorite’s list for future discussions and research about the art.

User Flow Map

User Flow Map

User Flow Map

Day Two: Sketch

Day Two: Sketch

Day Two: Sketch

Lightning Demos

Lightning Demos

Lightning Demos

As a costless way to gather inspiration, researching other apps that I thought could benefit the GalleryPal design was the best way to begin Day Two. I spent the most time in the Smartify app and in the Google Arts and Culture app.

As a costless way to gather inspiration, researching other apps that I thought could benefit the GalleryPal design was the best way to begin Day Two. I spent the most time in the Smartify app and in the Google Arts and Culture app.

As a costless way to gather inspiration, researching other apps that I thought could benefit the GalleryPal design was the best way to begin Day Two. I spent the most time in the Smartify app and in the Google Arts and Culture app.

Smartify Highlights

Smartify Highlights

•When learning about a particular artwork, there is a link to Read More, which allows the user to decide if they want to dive deeper or simply browse the page.
•The scan feature of the app allows the user to take a photograph of an artwork to learn more.
•There is a useful frame when the camera opens to facilitate this.
Related artwork by the same artist at bottom of page.

•When learning about a particular artwork, there is a link to Read More, which allows the user to decide if they want to dive deeper or simply browse the page.
•The scan feature of the app allows the user to take a photograph of an artwork to learn more.
•There is a useful frame when the camera opens to facilitate this.
Related artwork by the same artist at bottom of page.

•When learning about a particular artwork, there is a link to Read More, which allows the user to decide if they want to dive deeper or simply browse the page.
•The scan feature of the app allows the user to take a photograph of an artwork to learn more.
•There is a useful frame when the camera opens to facilitate this.
Related artwork by the same artist at bottom of page.

Smartify Highlight Screens

Smartify Highlight Screens

Smartify Highlight Screens

Google Arts and Culture Highlights

Google Arts and Culture Highlights

•When learning about an artist, there is a brief bio including a summary of their work, their education, honors, etc linked from wikipedia.
•When clicking on an artwork, there is a summary about the series of work and also more specific details in list form including title, date, creator, dimensions, source, rights, and medium.
•Can scroll horizontally through other works to browse more by the same artist.

•When learning about an artist, there is a brief bio including a summary of their work, their education, honors, etc linked from wikipedia.
•When clicking on an artwork, there is a summary about the series of work and also more specific details in list form including title, date, creator, dimensions, source, rights, and medium.
•Can scroll horizontally through other works to browse more by the same artist.

•When learning about an artist, there is a brief bio including a summary of their work, their education, honors, etc linked from wikipedia.
•When clicking on an artwork, there is a summary about the series of work and also more specific details in list form including title, date, creator, dimensions, source, rights, and medium.
•Can scroll horizontally through other works to browse more by the same artist.

Google Arts and Culture Highlight Screens

Google Arts and Culture Highlight Screens

Google Arts and Culture Highlight Screens

Crazy 8's

Crazy 8's

Crazy 8's

Now that I had some inspiration for my design, it was time to get some ideas on paper. The Crazy 8's method is an ideal exercise for this — not only is it timely and free, it gave me the opportunity to play around with different ideas for the design. I knew I wanted the core of the app to be retrieving information about specific artworks through taking a photograph of the art, making it easily accessible for Angela to identify the work. I sketched out different ways to display information like artist bio, a bit about the piece, techniques, and details. I was also thinking about incorporating an audio element of the app so Angela can be viewing the art while listening to the curated information. A heart for a favorite’s list was critical for Angela to use later when sharing her experience.

Now that I had some inspiration for my design, it was time to get some ideas on paper. The Crazy 8's method is an ideal exercise for this — not only is it timely and free, it gave me the opportunity to play around with different ideas for the design. I knew I wanted the core of the app to be retrieving information about specific artworks through taking a photograph of the art, making it easily accessible for Angela to identify the work. I sketched out different ways to display information like artist bio, a bit about the piece, techniques, and details. I was also thinking about incorporating an audio element of the app so Angela can be viewing the art while listening to the curated information. A heart for a favorite’s list was critical for Angela to use later when sharing her experience.

Now that I had some inspiration for my design, it was time to get some ideas on paper. The Crazy 8's method is an ideal exercise for this — not only is it timely and free, it gave me the opportunity to play around with different ideas for the design. I knew I wanted the core of the app to be retrieving information about specific artworks through taking a photograph of the art, making it easily accessible for Angela to identify the work. I sketched out different ways to display information like artist bio, a bit about the piece, techniques, and details. I was also thinking about incorporating an audio element of the app so Angela can be viewing the art while listening to the curated information. A heart for a favorite’s list was critical for Angela to use later when sharing her experience.

Crazy 8's Sketches

Crazy 8's Sketches

Crazy 8's Sketches

Solution Sketch

Solution Sketch

Solution Sketch

The three frames most vital frames for this app are taking a photo of the artwork, leading into the basic information about the piece, and concluding with a short playlist the user can start to learn even more. Each of the sections will be just a short read or listen - easily digestible for Angela to learn something new in a memorable way. If it speaks to her, she can save it to her Favorite’s list.

The three frames most vital frames for this app are taking a photo of the artwork, leading into the basic information about the piece, and concluding with a short playlist the user can start to learn even more. Each of the sections will be just a short read or listen - easily digestible for Angela to learn something new in a memorable way. If it speaks to her, she can save it to her Favorite’s list.

The three frames most vital frames for this app are taking a photo of the artwork, leading into the basic information about the piece, and concluding with a short playlist the user can start to learn even more. Each of the sections will be just a short read or listen - easily digestible for Angela to learn something new in a memorable way. If it speaks to her, she can save it to her Favorite’s list.

Solution Sketch - Three Frames

Solution Sketch - Three Frames

Solution Sketch - Three Frames

Day Three: Decide

Day Three:
Decide

Storyboarding

Storyboarding

Storyboarding

Now it was time to make sense of all my sketches to create a storyboard to map out how the app will allow Angela to identify, learn, and save details about the artwork. It was essential to be able to quickly navigate to the camera in order to photograph the artwork of interest and learn more.

Now it was time to make sense of all my sketches to create a storyboard to map out how the app will allow Angela to identify, learn, and save details about the artwork. It was essential to be able to quickly navigate to the camera in order to photograph the artwork of interest and learn more.

Now it was time to make sense of all my sketches to create a storyboard to map out how the app will allow Angela to identify, learn, and save details about the artwork. It was essential to be able to quickly navigate to the camera in order to photograph the artwork of interest and learn more.

Storyboard Sketches - Opening app and taking photo of art

Storyboard Sketches - Opening app and taking photo of art

Storyboard Sketches:

Opening app and taking photo of art

After a success message, the basic information page will give users the artist name, title, date, materials, dimensions, and a concise summary about the piece. This will solve the need for some quick context about the artwork.

The next page includes the audio player, where the user can listen to whichever section is of interest to learn even more. Alternatively, if the user does not have headphones to listen, there is a drop down to read the content.

After a success message, the basic information page will give users the artist name, title, date, materials, dimensions, and a concise summary about the piece. This will solve the need for some quick context about the artwork.

The next page includes the audio player, where the user can listen to whichever section is of interest to learn even more. Alternatively, if the user does not have headphones to listen, there is a drop down to read the content.

After a success message, the basic information page will give users the artist name, title, date, materials, dimensions, and a concise summary about the piece. This will solve the need for some quick context about the artwork.

The next page includes the audio player, where the user can listen to whichever section is of interest to learn even more. Alternatively, if the user does not have headphones to listen, there is a drop down to read the content.

Storyboard Sketches - Learning about the artwork

Storyboard Sketches - Learning about the artwork

Storyboard Sketches - Learning about the artwork

Angela can now easily identify the artwork and can choose to dive deeper to learn something new from each of the sections, either though reading or listening. The chosen sections are derived from what I learned from Lina and other research highlights. The goal for the accordion menu is to help Angela create a story or framework for the art she is viewing, leaving her feeling satisfied. If she has any reflections about the work that she’d like to share, she is able to save the art within the app, so it’s easily accessible.

Angela can now easily identify the artwork and can choose to dive deeper to learn something new from each of the sections, either though reading or listening. The chosen sections are derived from what I learned from Lina and other research highlights. The goal for the accordion menu is to help Angela create a story or framework for the art she is viewing, leaving her feeling satisfied. If she has any reflections about the work that she’d like to share, she is able to save the art within the app, so it’s easily accessible.

Angela can now easily identify the artwork and can choose to dive deeper to learn something new from each of the sections, either though reading or listening. The chosen sections are derived from what I learned from Lina and other research highlights. The goal for the accordion menu is to help Angela create a story or framework for the art she is viewing, leaving her feeling satisfied. If she has any reflections about the work that she’d like to share, she is able to save the art within the app, so it’s easily accessible.

Day Four: Prototype

Day Four:
Prototype

Hi Fidelity Mockups

Hi Fidelity Mockups

Hi Fidelity Mockups

Working under the parameters of the Design Sprint, I timed my prototype day to be as productive as possible within six hours. I spent the majority of my time on the screens containing the information about Cindy Sherman’s Untitled #470 to ensure that all pertinent information would live on the same page. After ideating a bit more from my solution sketch, I decided to eliminate the Learn More button and create a singular landing page with an accordion menu containing all the information. This allows Angela to immediately decide what to read or listen to, as she is immediately sees all the details in one place. It prevents her from feeling dissatisfied as she is in total control of what to learn. The heart icon to save the work needed to be easy to find, encouraging Angela to start bookmarking her favorite artworks.

Working under the parameters of the Design Sprint, I timed my prototype day to be as productive as possible within six hours. I spent the majority of my time on the screens containing the information about Cindy Sherman’s Untitled #470 to ensure that all pertinent information would live on the same page. After ideating a bit more from my solution sketch, I decided to eliminate the Learn More button and create a singular landing page with an accordion menu containing all the information. This allows Angela to immediately decide what to read or listen to, as she is immediately sees all the details in one place. It prevents her from feeling dissatisfied as she is in total control of what to learn. The heart icon to save the work needed to be easy to find, encouraging Angela to start bookmarking her favorite artworks.

Working under the parameters of the Design Sprint, I timed my prototype day to be as productive as possible within six hours. I spent the majority of my time on the screens containing the information about Cindy Sherman’s Untitled #470 to ensure that all pertinent information would live on the same page. After ideating a bit more from my solution sketch, I decided to eliminate the Learn More button and create a singular landing page with an accordion menu containing all the information. This allows Angela to immediately decide what to read or listen to, as she is immediately sees all the details in one place. It prevents her from feeling dissatisfied as she is in total control of what to learn. The heart icon to save the work needed to be easy to find, encouraging Angela to start bookmarking her favorite artworks.

Hi Fidelity Screens

Hi Fidelity Screens

Hi Fidelity Screens

Day Five: Test

Day Five: Test

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

It was finally time to test, and I was hoping to find out if the headphones icon would be a clear indication of an audio snippet, or if users will get confused between that and the larger play button. Will the dropdown information feel sufficient to walk away from the museum with a greater knowledge or is it too much to read? Will the heart icon indicate to users they are able to save the artwork to their favorites? Are the icons on the app bar clear, so users know exactly what they will lead to?

Now that the app was ready to test, I was hoping to find out if the headphones icon would be a clear indication of an audio snippet, or if users will get confused between that and the larger play button. Will the dropdown information feel sufficient to walk away from the museum with a greater knowledge or is it too much to read? Will the heart icon indicate to users they are able to save the artwork to their favorites? Are the icons on the app bar clear, so users know exactly what they will lead to?


I recruited five people to partake in my usability test, both in person and remote.
The main takeaway from the five usability tests was uncertainty with the audio player.

It was finally time to test, and I was hoping to find out if the headphones icon would be a clear indication of an audio snippet, or if users will get confused between that and the larger play button. Will the dropdown information feel sufficient to walk away from the museum with a greater knowledge or is it too much to read? Will the heart icon indicate to users they are able to save the artwork to their favorites? Are the icons on the app bar clear, so users know exactly what they will lead to?

Before

Before

Before

After

After

After

I recruited five people to partake in my usability test, both in person and remote. The main takeaway from the five usability tests was uncertainty with the audio player.

•Users clicked the headphones icon when prompted to start the audio guide, but did not notice the audio beginning, leading them to click the larger Play button.


•In order to provide success feedback that the audio had started, I moved the player to the bottom of the screen in a fixed position.


•Now, even when users have the accordion menu fully expanded, they will know for certain if the guide is playing or not.


•I also updated the smaller play icon to a pause icon for clarity.

•Users clicked the headphones icon when prompted to start the audio guide, but did not notice the audio beginning, leading them to click the larger Play button.


•In order to provide success feedback that the audio had started, I moved the player to the bottom of the screen in a fixed position.


•Now, even when users have the accordion menu fully expanded, they will know for certain if the guide is playing or not.


•I also updated the smaller play icon to a pause icon for clarity.

I recruited five people to partake in my usability test, both in person and remote. The main takeaway from the five usability tests was uncertainty with the audio player.

•Users clicked the headphones icon when prompted to start the audio guide, but did not notice the audio beginning, leading them to click the larger Play button.


•In order to provide success feedback that the audio had started, I moved the player to the bottom of the screen in a fixed position.


•Now, even when users have the accordion menu fully expanded, they will know for certain if the guide is playing or not.


•I also updated the smaller play icon to a pause icon for clarity.

All of the test participants were able to easily complete the five tasks. Each tester felt the length of information was sufficient to learn a little more about an artwork, emphasizing that this would be a great jumping off point for greater research if desired, which aligns with what we learned in user interviews. This snippet of information with the ability to save the artwork to favorites, would allow them to easily revisit the page at a later date if they wanted to learn more or share with a friend. A few participants mentioned that they enjoyed the simple way the information is presented, allowing them to read as much or as little as they like to truly enhance the art viewing experience.

All of the test participants were able to easily complete the five tasks. Each tester felt the length of information was sufficient to learn a little more about an artwork, emphasizing that this would be a great jumping off point for greater research if desired, which aligns with what we learned in user interviews. This snippet of information with the ability to save the artwork to favorites, would allow them to easily revisit the page at a later date if they wanted to learn more or share with a friend. A few participants mentioned that they enjoyed the simple way the information is presented, allowing them to read as much or as little as they like to truly enhance the art viewing experience.

All of the test participants were able to easily complete the five tasks. Each tester felt the length of information was sufficient to learn a little more about an artwork, emphasizing that this would be a great jumping off point for greater research if desired, which aligns with what we learned in user interviews. This snippet of information with the ability to save the artwork to favorites, would allow them to easily revisit the page at a later date if they wanted to learn more or share with a friend. A few participants mentioned that they enjoyed the simple way the information is presented, allowing them to read as much or as little as they like to truly enhance the art viewing experience.

The
Conclusion

The Conclusion

The
Conclusion

I chose GalleryPal as my design sprint because I have a personal connection to making artwork. I’ve spent the past decade working as a fine art photographic printer and retoucher, helping artists make their work to hang in galleries and museums. I had to jump on the opportunity to help enhance the art viewing experience!

There’s many more features I’d love to design for GalleryPal, including tours of exhibitions in order within the exhibition room, so the user can listen to a snippet about each work as they walk through. Adding a search bar and map feature would allow users to find specific artwork with ease. Finally, I’d like to add a page for users to write down their thoughts as they view the artwork so perhaps they’d feel even more encouraged to discuss it with a friend.

This modified design sprint was both rewarding and challenging due to the time constraints. It taught me how necessary it is to quickly make decisions, then ideate and implement my ideas into a prototype. I enjoyed the pacing of this project and would love the opportunity to try this workflow again, ideally in collaboration with a team.

I chose GalleryPal as my design sprint because I have a personal connection to making artwork. I’ve spent the past decade working as a fine art photographic printer and retoucher, helping artists make their work to hang in galleries and museums. I had to jump on the opportunity to help enhance the art viewing experience!

There’s many more features I’d love to design for GalleryPal, including tours of exhibitions in order within the exhibition room, so the user can listen to a snippet about each work as they walk through. Adding a search bar and map feature would allow users to find specific artwork with ease. Finally, I’d like to add a page for users to write down their thoughts as they view the artwork so perhaps they’d feel even more encouraged to discuss it with a friend.

This modified design sprint was both rewarding and challenging due to the time constraints. It taught me how necessary it is to quickly make decisions, then ideate and implement my ideas into a prototype. I enjoyed the pacing of this project and would love the opportunity to try this workflow again, ideally in collaboration with a team.

I chose GalleryPal as my design sprint because I have a personal connection to making artwork. I’ve spent the past decade working as a fine art photographic printer and retoucher, helping artists make their work to hang in galleries and museums. I had to jump on the opportunity to help enhance the art viewing experience!

There’s many more features I’d love to design for GalleryPal, including tours of exhibitions in order within the exhibition room, so the user can listen to a snippet about each work as they walk through. Adding a search bar and map feature would allow users to find specific artwork with ease. Finally, I’d like to add a page for users to write down their thoughts as they view the artwork so perhaps they’d feel even more encouraged to discuss it with a friend.

This modified design sprint was both rewarding and challenging due to the time constraints. It taught me how necessary it is to quickly make decisions, then ideate and implement my ideas into a prototype. I enjoyed the pacing of this project and would love the opportunity to try this workflow again, ideally in collaboration with a team.

© Joanna Raynes 2023