Artket
Art Community App — Your modern art marketplace
Portfolio Project UX Design course by Google
Summary
Welcome to Artket, your modern art market and community. In the following paragraphs, I will take you on a journey through the step-by-step process I followed to createArtket, starting from the empathize phase and concluding with the final touches.
For a comprehensive case study, you can access the complete PDF version here . If you are eager to explore the prototype, you can do so by visiting this link. Please note that this prototype was created using Figma, and while it showcases the main screens and user flow, as well as some extra ones to make it more playful, not all screens have been designed.
When interacting with the prototype (by clicking anywhere on the screen), you will notice certain elements turning blue—these represent active options on each page. Enjoy exploring the app prototype!
If you have any questions and/or would like to connect, feel free to reach out to me at hi@paulardb.design.
Introduction
As part of my UX Design Professional Certificate by Google , I had the opportunity to work on a really engaging project that involved designing an app, initially focused on an art bidding for an art gallery. However, as I progressed through the ideation phase and conducted user and market research, the project took a significant turn. The project evolved into an art community app, aiming to create a platform where users can easily sell, buy, and bid on art while fostering connections and communication among artists, galleries, and collectors.
GOAL STATEMENT
Our primary objective is to develop an art app that offers a user-friendly experience, enabling users to appreciate and engage with art, facilitate transactions, and build meaningful connections within the art community. By bringing artists, experts, and buyers closer together and providing comprehensive information about artworks and emerging trends, our app seeks to enhance the way art is perceived, interpreted, and exchanged. Success will be measured by the number of transactions and connections made within the app.
GOOGLE UX DESIGN CERTIFICATES
Here you can find a PDF of my Google Courses Certificates.
Design Process Overview
Throughout the development of Artket, I followed a structured design process given by Google's courses that allowed me to create a user-centered and effective art community app. The process consisted of several key steps, each contributing to the overall potential success of the project.
EMPATHIZE
The first phase. We need to start by understanding the target users. I started by conducting extensive user research to understand the needs, behaviors, and motivations of art enthusiasts, artists, galleries, and collectors. This helped me gain valuable insights into their pain points and expectations within the art community.
DEFINE
Building upon the research findings, clear problem statements and user stories were defined, which then guided the design process. By focusing on the users' needs and aspirations, I established specific goals and deliverables to ensure the app would address their requirements effectively.
IDEATE
During this phase, it is important to explore a wide range of ideas and concepts to create an engaging and innovative art community app that meet our goals. Through brainstorming sessions and techniques like "crazy eights" and "how might we," diverse design possibilities were imagined, followed by evaluating their feasibility, desirability, and viability in order to start discarding.
PROTOTYPE
I created low-fidelity prototypes based on the findings from the previous steps and conducted user testing to gather feedback and refine the design. It was an iterative process that allowed to validate design decisions and make necessary adjustments based on user insights.
TEST
I conducted usability studies to evaluate the usability and user experience of the app. By observing and analyzing user interactions, I identified areas for improvement and made iterative design changes to enhance the overall user experience.
ITERATE
With each iteration, I refined the design based on user feedback, addressing pain points and incorporating valuable insights. This iterative approach ensured that the app evolved to meet user expectations and provided an optimal user journey.
Design Decisions and User Experience Considerations
During the design process of Artket, I made several key design decisions that were influenced by user experience considerations. Here are the design decisions and user experience considerations I incorporated into the app:
PLAYFUL YET MINIMALISTIC VISUAL DESIGN
To create a visually engaging app that highlights the artwork, I opted for a minimalistic design approach with a playful touch. The color scheme featured toned-down black and white, allowing the art to take center stage. In addition, I incorporated a vibrant orange and fuchsia branding logo, resembling a brush stroke, to add a distinctive artistic element.
TYPOGRAPHY AND FONTS
I carefully selected fonts to complement the overall aesthetic and enhance readability. Arsenica Trial was chosen for main titles, providing a trendy and eye-catching look, while Montserrat was used for other text, offering a round, elegant, and modern feel. I utilized small caps for buttons and labels, creating a consistent visual hierarchy.
INTUITIVE NAVIGATION AND FAMILIAR UI PATTERNS
To ensure ease of use, I implemented familiar mobile UI patterns and icons that users are already accustomed to. I made slight modifications to these icons to infuse them with artistic elements. The floating icon on the bottom right provided quick access to essential features such as search and chat, improving navigation efficiency.
CATEGORIZATION AND PERSONALIZATION
To facilitate the browsing and discovery of art, I incorporated a comprehensive categorization system. Users could explore different categories such as Art, Artists, and Galleries, with subcategories like Trendy, Auction, and For You, tailoring their search results to their preferences. Personalization was also emphasized, allowing users to define their interests in their profiles and connect with others who share similar artistic tastes.
MENU AND SETTINGS
The app's menu structure was designed to provide easy access to key features and options. The menu included sections such as Home, Profile, Chats, Connections, Browse By, Settings, Your Purchases, Help and Support, and Search. Within the settings section, users could customize language, currency, payment settings, and adjust accessibility options like contrast, screen reader support, and font size.
These design decisions were driven by a focus on creating a visually appealing, intuitive, and personalized user experience. By carefully considering these aspects, Artket aimed to be a user-friendly and engaging platform for art enthusiasts.
Iterative Process
In the iterative process, I incorporated user feedback through usability studies to enhance the user experience of Artket. The findings from the low-fidelity prototype phase highlighted several key areas for improvement. Firstly, users expressed difficulty in locating connections and found the acceptance/rejection process lengthy. To address this, I streamlined the process and rephrased the instructions for better clarity. Furthermore, users desired more options for filtering and sorting art, as well as a quick way to identify direct purchase items versus bids. I addressed this by adding clear information and filtering options on the art pages. The usability study also revealed challenges with the payment process, leading to confusion and abandonment of purchases. To simplify the payment flow, I redesigned the screens and introduced a dedicated payment settings section. Moreover, participants faced navigation and scrolling issues, causing frustration. To enhance the user experience, I included an arrow down indicator for scrolling and improved the clarity of buttons throughout the app. In the high-fidelity prototype phase, further usability study insights refined the display of bids on the main screen, allowing users to easily identify time left for each bid. I also made adjustments to the wording of categories for better comprehension. Users appreciated having multiple ways to reach the same screen, such as connection requests, as it provided convenience and flexibility. The new payment flow was found to be intuitive and distraction-free. Additionally, icons played a vital role in aiding users' understanding of terms and actions within the app. Overall, the iterative process led to significant improvements in Artket's user experience, addressing challenges and incorporating user preferences. To delve deeper into these design iterations and usability study insights, I invite you to explore the comprehensive case study PDF.
Challenges
Limited participant recruitment for usability studies. Designing a complex app with a large number of screens. Limited quality and trustworthiness of peer feedback in an online course. Ensuring a seamless and intuitive payment process. Addressing data security and privacy concerns.
Solutions
Overcoming participant recruitment limitations: Leveraging personal networks, online communities, and social media platforms to expand the pool of potential participants. Offering incentives or rewards to encourage participation. Implementing unmoderated usability studies for increased flexibility.
Managing the complexity of the app: Conducting thorough information architecture and user flow analysis to create a logical structure for the app. Prioritizing key features and functionality to streamline the user experience. Iteratively refining and simplifying the design through user feedback and testing.
Getting feedback: In an online course, peer feedback quality can be inconsistent. To overcome this challenge, I adopted a growth mindset and actively sought feedback from diverse sources beyond my peers.
Streamlining the payment process: Implementing a straightforward and intuitive payment flow with clear instructions and minimal steps. Integrating popular payment gateways, such as Apple Pay, to provide convenient and secure payment options. Testing the payment process with real users to identify and address any usability issues or confusion.
Addressing data security and privacy concerns: These are future steps to take, as the app furthers into the development phases. Recognizing the importance of data security and privacy as an integral part of app development. Collaborating with experts or seeking external consultation to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and best practices. Conducting regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen the app's security measures. While the course may not explicitly cover data security and privacy, it is crucial to acknowledge its significance and emphasize that it should be a key consideration during the development phase to safeguard user data and maintain user trust.
Potential Impact and Results
The Artket app, although currently in the prototype stage, received positive feedback and generated excitement among early testers, including a talented artist and an artist manager who expressed great interest in its potential; as the app's concept and features garnered enthusiasm from individuals in the art community. While the app has yet to be fully developed and launched, this early enthusiasm and validation highlights its potential impact in the art market. The prototype's intuitive user experience, visually appealing design, and innovative community-oriented features seemed to demonstrate the ability to meet the needs and desires of art enthusiasts and professionals alike. I am excited to think that the positive feedback received during the prototype phase indicates the app's potential to make a meaningful impact on the art community by providing a platform for buying, selling, bidding, and networking with like-minded individuals. Moving forward, further iterations and development of the Artket app will focus on addressing challenges, refining the user experience, and ensuring the highest level of data security and privacy. With continued dedication and attention to detail, Artket has the potential to become a valuable tool and community hub for art lovers worldwide.
Course Journey
During the UX design program, I followed a structured process consisting of four courses that guided me in designing an app from a UX designer's perspective. The initial stages (Course 2) focused on understanding our target users through extensive research, prioritizing user-centric design. By gaining insights into user experiences and acknowledging potential biases, I collaborated with diverse groups to ensure a well-rounded understanding.
Moving forward, the Define phase involved distilling our findings into actionable insights. We created personas, user stories, and journey maps to visualize interactions and identify areas for improvement. Accessibility considerations were integrated throughout the process.
In the Ideate phase, we generated practical design solutions by formulating problem statements and proposing creative yet feasible ideas. Value propositions highlighted the unique reasons for users to engage with the app. Throughout this process, I gained a deep understanding of our users, identified pain points, and developed effective design solutions centered around their needs. This journey enhanced my UX design skills while embracing empathy, problem-solving, and human-centered design.
During Course 3, I learned to create low-fidelity prototypes using Figma. User research guided the app's journey and refined its interactions. Inclusive design principles ensured accessibility for all users.
Course 4 focused on user research and usability studies. Unmoderated usability studies provided valuable insights, which were incorporated into the high-fidelity design phase. The feedback shaped the direction of the design, resulting in a more user-centered and intuitive app.
In Course 5, design principles were the focus and we applied them in creating high-fidelity prototypes. The course emphasized effective communication through typography, color theory, layout, and iconography. Feedback sessions and usability studies helped refine the designs and enhance the user experience.
These courses provided me with a comprehensive understanding of UX design, allowing me to create an engaging and visually appealing app. I have documented my learnings and project details in the case study PDF, available here .
The design thinking framework, Google's UX Design Certificate