SIMPLE APP
FOR AN INDIE BOOKSTORE
_edited.jpg)
The first project in the UX Design Certificate program partnered with Coursera and Google, we were tasked to create a mobile app based on a randomized project generator.
​
I was assigned: simple app for an independent bookstore, so I set about to make the purchase of a book and the finding of a book in store less stressful for users based upon user research. I focused on the search functions and following a user through that search and to the purchasing options available.
​
As a first project, it was a tremendous learning opportunity, and I loved being able to research a user problem and see it through to a possible solution.
PROBLEM
Users would like an Indie Bookstore App that will feature advanced searches and help them locate books in store because they have found other similar products stressful with too many vague options and confused over book shelving when they arrive in store to purchase.
UX DESIGNER NOV '21-FEB '22 SLIDEDECK
GOALS
Our Indie Bookstore App will let users perform advanced searches and preview locations of books in-store which will affect casual millennial readers by narrowing the search results and making finding the book in-store easier, less stressful, and saving time. We will measure effectiveness by how many new purchases are made using these features.
CHALLENGES
Many of the challenges lied in the complexity of a book search and the specificity that users requested in their search fields functions. There were also challenges in recognizing that an indie bookstore is not a big, box-chain bookstore and have very different, more personable needs for their users and in-person guests. Thankfully, I live in a location with quite a few indie style bookstores so I could draw research from them to help further enhance the user experience.
THE RESEARCH
I set out to interview a handful of users from a range of age groups, ideally 25-80 in order to gather a far reaching collection of information. What I found was that across the board, users were frustrated with searching for new titles and new authors, and overwhelmed with the selection. They referenced how difficult it was to utilize the search bar, particularly in looking for broad topics, and that they would like an option to filter those search results in an easy, intuitive way. They also found it frustrating that many apps and sites did not include user reviews of books or recommended authors based on reader history. They all mentioned how they found themselves sticking to a particular author or book series until an author recommended another title. Regardless of age, it appeared that these problems persisted across the board. The only stand out was that the younger users were more visually focused on what book covers looked like and how thick a book was, mentioning that those were deciding factors that made them buy in person vs online.
Miranda, 30
the casual reader
Miranda is an office administrator who needs easy and customizable search options with defined fields to find new books because it can be overwhelming and time consuming with so many options.
"I hate to say it, but I always judge a book by it’s cover. It has to jump out at me. I have to feel it in my hands.”
Renee, 67
the heavy hitter
Renee is a recent retiree who wants to be able to find the newest bestselling books and their reviews in the same place she purchases because she wants doesn’t like looking in multiple locations for one title.
"Always pull from a wide range of authors - new, old - it doesn’t matter so long as you read.”
PAIN POINTS
1
SEARCH BAR
2
FILTER OPTIONS
3
REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
4
FINDING IT IN STORE
Users want an easy to find and easy to use search bar. With this in mind, the search bar needs to be front and center, on every page and easy to identify and use.
Users want to be able to filter by author, reviews, subject, availability easily without multiple steps or hindrance. Moving forward, the filter option will need to be as easy to find and use as the search bar.
Users want to be able to clearly see reviews and recommended authors/books based on their searches and likes. Finding a way to put that in an easy to see and utilize place will be key.
Users don’t just want to be able to find the product online, but clearly find it in the store so that it is easy to go in-person and pick up the item. Making this a feature would help improve users repeat visits.
ITERATION
& WIREFRAMING
In creating various iterations of the app, it became clear that maintaining a locking top banner with the search bar would make finding the advanced search features easier on each page. Providing a locked bottom banner for store information and mapping was also key. Like a bookshelf, everything needs to be orderly and easy to find without too much clutter.
​
Based on user interviews, users wanted an advanced search option for indie bookstores and a search results page that showed them exactly what they were searching for. They also wanted an easier, less stressful way to find books in-store, referencing how overwhelming shelving was, so an in-store mapping tool was created.
Creating the wireframes immediately drew attention to the main user problem: making the process less stressful. Identifying the different pathways into the userflow helped to ensure that no matter which direction the user was entering the flow, they could join that flow with as little stress as possible while also allowed multiple possibilities to return and access other pages.
​
As the project moved into the mock-up stage, consideration over color pallettes and refinement took root. A warm tan and deep red were chosen to evoke the idea of an old library in the traditional sense, while using a san serif text and modern, rounded features brought the app more into modern sensibilities.
STUDIES & FINDINGS
A moderated usability study was conducted with 5 participants ranging from late 20s-mid 50s who were casual readers that wanted to support local business. Participants were asked to use a lo-fi prototype of the app and answer a system usability scale survey after.
​
Users noted that some of the buttons were too narrow and inconsistent throughout the app pages. Buttons were enlarged and more padding added between the button parameters and the text.
A new back button was designed based of user feedback that the arrow was still easy to miss or did not work properly throughout the app.
​
Users also noted that on some screen the guide text in the form fields were too light and easy to miss. Using the brand color codes, these were updated to a more pronounced red for readability.
​
​
1
Back button had sizing and consistency issues
2
Icons and text took several attempts and users were unsure if it was icon/image/text that moved them forward
3
Users needed guidance to locate several icons and their meaning
4
Guide text in search menus were too light on some screens
PROTOTYPES
LO-FI Prototype
​
HI-FI Prototype
CONCLUSIONS
The biggest user pain point in the beginning was the stress and difficulty in searching for a new book title, and then locating it in store. With this in mind, the app was designed completely around an advanced search feature and the in-store locator option. This will allow users to accurately narrow down wide selections in an independent bookstore similar to the mass-market options and then purchase in store with a mapping option for quick, easy purchases.
TAKE-AWAYS
Users do not always need complex solutions and more often than not, want the easiest and more straight forward option. They are less concerned with the latest tool and more considered with their end journey. Many times the end journey might require the latest tool and technique but the user does not want to be made aware of the tool.