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
Quick Links
User Definition and Personas
Wireframes and Testing
Merchandise
Brand Guidelines
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
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?
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.
Oscar Wild Collection
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
Logo Guidelines
Typography
Research
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
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
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
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
Testing and Feedback
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