EMMA BEATTY

EMMA BEATTY

CASE STUDY

Beyond the Bookshelf

A concept of a book review and community for avid readers

About the project

This platform aims to empower users to write comprehensive book reviews, explore emerging authors and influencers, and engage a unique community dedicated to their passion.

Timeline:

Oct 2023- April 2024

Roles:

  • Visual Design

  • UX Design

  • UI Design

  • UX Researcher

Tools:

  • Adobe CC

  • Figma

  • Dovetail

Problem Statement

How might we create a community for avid book readers to give in-depth reviews, connect with others and promote things such as authors and influencers?

How might we create a community for avid book readers to give in-depth reviews, connect with others and promote things such as authors and influencers?

Problem Statement

How might we create a community for avid book readers to give in-depth reviews, connect with others and promote things such as authors and influencers?

Solution

Solution

“Beyond the Bookshelf” is a mobile book app for avid book readers looking to expand their reading journey through community and exploration while being able to see and write in depth reviews.

Merchandise

Merchandise

Our merchandise endeavours to enrich user engagement and forge stronger bonds within our community. Introducing the "Oscar Wild Collection," a meticulously curated array of products designed to cater to the varied interests of book enthusiasts.

Our merchandise endeavours to enrich user engagement and forge stronger bonds within our community. Introducing the "Oscar Wild Collection," a meticulously curated array of products designed to cater to the varied interests of book enthusiasts.

Oscar Wild Collection

  • $ 15.00

    Oscar Wild
    Bookmarks

  • $ 9.99

    Notebook with Stickies Sunset Tones

  • $ 9.99

    Notebook with Stickies Ocean Tones

  • $ 25.00

    Sunset Tote

  • $ 25.00

    Ocean Tote

  • $ 15.00

    Oscar Wild
    Bookmarks

  • $ 9.99

    Notebook with Stickies Sunset Tones

  • $ 9.99

    Notebook with Stickies Ocean Tones

  • $ 25.00

    Sunset Tote

  • $ 25.00

    Ocean Tote

  • $ 15.00

    Oscar Wild
    Bookmarks

    $ 9.99

    Notebook with Stickies Sunset Tones

    $ 9.99

    Notebook with Stickies Ocean Tones

    $ 25.00

    Sunset Tote

    $ 25.00

    Ocean Tote

Brand Guidelines

Brand Guidelines

Peach Page

RGB (237, 181, 153)

RGB (229, 149, 118)

RGB(224, 121, 129)

RGB (179, 112, 134)

RGB (106, 93, 124)

Golden Hour

Sunset Hues

Dusty Mauve
Evening Plum
Rose Sunset
Slate Blue

RGB (61, 92, 124)

RGB (37, 77, 144)

RGB (53, 119, 128)

RGB (86, 178, 171)

RGB (249, 245, 232)

Ocean Ink

Ocean Hues

Seafoam Mist
Parchment Sand
Sea Glass

Colours

Colours

Logo Guidelines

Logo Guidelines

Typography

Typography

Slate Blue
Slate Blue

RGB (61, 92, 124)

RGB (61, 92, 124)

RGB (37, 77, 144)

RGB (37, 77, 144)

RGB (53, 119, 128)

RGB (53, 119, 128)

RGB (86, 178, 171)

RGB (86, 178, 171)

RGB (249, 245, 232)

RGB (249, 245, 232)

Ocean Ink
Ocean Ink

Ocean Hues

Ocean Hues

Seafoam Mist
Seafoam Mist
Parchment Sand
Parchment Sand
Sea Glass
Sea Glass
  • Peach Page

    RGB (237, 181, 153)

    RGB (229, 149, 118)

    RGB(224, 121, 129)

    RGB (179, 112, 134)

    RGB (106, 93, 124)

    Golden Hour

    Sunset Hues

    Dusty Mauve
    Evening Plum
    Rose Sunset
  • Slate Blue

    RGB (61, 92, 124)

    RGB (37, 77, 144)

    RGB (53, 119, 128)

    RGB (86, 178, 171)

    RGB (249, 245, 232)

    Ocean Ink

    Ocean Hues

    Seafoam Mist
    Parchment Sand
    Sea Glass

Research

Research

User Interviews

User Interviews

I started off my research by conducting user interviews to better understand user wants and needs as well as understanding user current experiences with the other book review apps. I interviewed 10 participants that ranged in the 19- 30 age range. As my app is more geared towards the younger generation as it has similar UX patterns to Instagram, but any age range can use it. However, in my research, I found the biggest spike in readers were in the age range of 18 to 25.

Social media is crucial for participants who often use it to discover books. This presents a valuable opportunity for companies to gauge interest, leverage social media influencers, and promote specific books to drive sales.

Social Media Use

This information is vital for companies to strategically display and promote books, aligning with consumer preferences for authors, titles, and genres.

Community Likes

Participants' interactions with social media and book review sites are essential for user engagement. It's crucial for users to enjoy their experience and feel compelled to return.

Users Experience

This is crucial for participants as it influences their reading preferences and favourite aspects of books.

The Magic of Books

Social media is crucial for participants who often use it to discover books. This presents a valuable opportunity for companies to gauge interest, leverage social media influencers, and promote specific books to drive sales.

Social Media Use

This information is vital for companies to strategically display and promote books, aligning with consumer preferences for authors, titles, and genres.

Community Likes

Participants' interactions with social media and book review sites are essential for user engagement. It's crucial for users to enjoy their experience and feel compelled to return.

Users Experience

This is crucial for participants as it influences their reading preferences and favourite aspects of books.

The Magic of Books

Social media is crucial for participants who often use it to discover books. This presents a valuable opportunity for companies to gauge interest, leverage social media influencers, and promote specific books to drive sales.

Social Media Use

This information is vital for companies to strategically display and promote books, aligning with consumer preferences for authors, titles, and genres.

Community Likes

Participants' interactions with social media and book review sites are essential for user engagement. It's crucial for users to enjoy their experience and feel compelled to return.

Users Experience

This is crucial for participants as it influences their reading preferences and favourite aspects of books.

The Magic of Books

Card Sorting

Card Sorting

I conducted a closed card sorting session with eight participants to understand content preferences and app organization. Their feedback informed the app's content structure and introduced new ideas that refined the overall user experience.

Focus Groups

Focus Groups

I conducted three focus groups, inclusive of participants of all ages and genders, with group sizes ranging from 6 to 10 individuals. Each focus group utilized a questionnaire I created to gather insights.I organized sessions to align colour and imagery choices with user preferences for the app's design. Combining focus groups with questionnaires fostered open discussions and yielded valuable insights, influencing subsequent decisions.

I conducted three focus groups, inclusive of participants of all ages and genders, with group sizes ranging from 6 to 10 individuals. Each focus group utilized a questionnaire I created to gather insights.I organized sessions to align colour and imagery choices with user preferences for the app's design. Combining focus groups with questionnaires fostered open discussions and yielded valuable insights, influencing subsequent decisions.

Benchmark Study

I conducted a benchmark study of three prominent bookstores and services: Indigo, Barnes & Noble, and Audible. Indigo, a major player in Canada; Barnes & Noble, the largest American bookstore; and Audible, a leading audiobook company. To analyze their approaches, I created a Venn diagram of their homepages to understand their content priorities and features. This comparative analysis aimed to inform the design of my app, balancing familiarity with a unique approach to resonate with readers.

Observational Study

Conducted observational research at Indigo to gain insights into user behaviour, store layouts, and the overall bookstore experience.

The goal was to visit Indigo to observe the store layout, understand how the space is structured, and analyze how customers interact within a bookstore environment.

Goal of Study

Observational research at Indigo showed that customers browsed at a relaxed pace, often with coffee in hand, while the store's layout and category signage guided them from popular releases to more niche sections. These insights into customer behaviour and the bookstore environment helped inform the app's design.

Observations and Insights

  • People

    Observed a diverse group of shoppers—primarily women, with some men of various ages (most commonly young and middle-aged adults)—who visited alone or in small groups, while the cashier team consisted primarily of young women.

  • Objects

    The store offered a wide range of products, including books, coffee, household items, book and art accessories, greeting cards, scrapbooking supplies, games, collectibles, children's toys, clothing, and kitchen accessories.

  • Environment

    The large store had a calm, quiet, and inviting atmosphere with a homey feel, featuring dedicated sections for books, household items, cards, and children’s products while providing a spacious environment for customers to browse comfortably.

  • Messages

    The store used section titles and displays to communicate messages, highlighted popular and inclusive products, and encouraged customer engagement through conversations where shoppers shared recommendations about books and other items.

  • Services

    The store offered various services and support through cashiers, employees who assisted with finding items, a coffee shop, book recommenders, and staff responsible for stocking shelves.

User Definition and Personas

User Definition and Personas

This app is intricately crafted to resonate with enthusiastic readers across diverse backgrounds. While its inclusive design caters to a wide demographic, the social media foundation distinctly tailors its appeal to a younger audience, ranging from Gen Z to Millennials.

Mid Fidelity Wireframes

Wireframes and Testing

Wireframes and Testing

Mid Fidelity Wireframes Testing and Feedback

Onboarding

Users suggested adding an onboarding process to help introduce the app and its features.

Onboarding

Users suggested adding an onboarding process to help introduce the app and its features.

Profile Editing

The Edit Profile button was difficult to find and should be made more prominent or visually distinct.

Profile Editing

The Edit Profile button was difficult to find and should be made more prominent or visually distinct.

Navigation

Users expected the navigation bar to remain static so they could easily access it throughout the app.

Navigation

Users expected the navigation bar to remain static so they could easily access it throughout the app.

Profile Icons

The use of "X" icons in certain areas, particularly the profile, caused some confusion.

Profile Icons

The use of "X" icons in certain areas, particularly the profile, caused some confusion.

Customization:

Users found the customization button unclear and suggested changing the wording to better communicate its purpose.

Customization:

Users found the customization button unclear and suggested changing the wording to better communicate its purpose.

Book Covers

Uploading a custom photo felt like unnecessary extra work. Users preferred having pre-existing book covers available to choose from.

Book Covers

Uploading a custom photo felt like unnecessary extra work. Users preferred having pre-existing book covers available to choose from.

Accessibility

Users emphasized the importance of making photos and visual content accessible to people with different needs.

Accessibility

Users emphasized the importance of making photos and visual content accessible to people with different needs.

Guidance

Users suggested using pop-ups or prompts to better guide users through the app and make features more obvious.

Guidance

Users suggested using pop-ups or prompts to better guide users through the app and make features more obvious.

Library

Users expected the Library to be the primary place to access their books and suggested giving it full access to their saved content.

Library

Users expected the Library to be the primary place to access their books and suggested giving it full access to their saved content.

Button Labels

The words "Confirm" and "Cancel" were considered too similar, particularly for users with reading disabilities. Clearer, more distinct wording could improve accessibility.

Button Labels

The words "Confirm" and "Cancel" were considered too similar, particularly for users with reading disabilities. Clearer, more distinct wording could improve accessibility.

High Fidelity Wireframes

App Experience

A set of flexible mobile experiences brings discovery, reviews, and personalized reading spaces into one community-focused platform.

  • Explore Page features

    • Trending reviews
    • Trending authors
    • Popular genres
    • Events and favourite influencers

  • Search Page features

    • Seasonal reading challenge
    • Trending books
    • Book and author discovery
    • Popular community voices

  • Home Page features

    • Seasonal reading challenge
    • Recommended books for you
    • Recommended reviews
    • Current reads and trending books

  • Library Page features

    • Your bookshelf
    • Add and edit shelves
    • Sort reading collections
    • Customize themes and accessories

  • Profile Page features

    • Edit your profile
    • Follow readers and authors
    • Track current reads
    • Save quotes and reading lists

← BACK TO WORK

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Emma Beatty

Emma Beatty