Audioguide app for art exhibitions

Musem-Me is an audio-guide app designed to help users visit exhibition locations and customize the audio-guide according to their needs


The problem: Guides in exhibition can be challenging for visitors with various capabilities, especially earing and sight impairment.

The goal: Make exhibitions' audio-guides accessible and enjoyable for every user.

Responsibilities: In this project, I conducted interviews, did a market research, created paper and digital wireframes, low and high-fidelity prototypes, conducted usability studies, iterated on designs, and accounted for accessibility.

Project duration: The project lasted from September 2022 to November 2022.

User research

I conducted interviews to understand the users and their needs when visiting an art exhibition. A primary user group is working adults who have an interest in arts. A secondary user-group is education professionals who organize exhibition visits with a group. Both types of users face difficulties when attending an exhibition.

User paints points

Accessibility

Small posters and crowded space make it hard for visitors with disability to engage with written content on posters

Content

Descriptive poster (artist’s name and residence, art work’s title and material) is not enough to allow visitors to engage with the artist’s work

Customization

Traditional audio-guides are not appealing to younger audience, can be tricky to use for older audience, and lack possible customization

Time

The absence of prior access to documentation makes it hard for education professionals to prepare their visit

Problem statement

Reena is an art enthousiast with dyslexia who needs to be able to engage with content at her own page so that she can enjoy the exhibition.

User journey map

Mapping Reena’s user journey revealed how helpful it would be to use an app as a personalized audio-guide for the exhibition

Design process

I moved from paper wireframes to dirigal wireframes, then to mockups, low-fidelity prototypes, usability testing, then high-fidelity prototypes.

Paper wireframes

A user-group is art enthusiasts. That's why I designed paper wireframes that would show users new exhibitions to discover. Since the app is designed for users who regularly attend art exhibitions, the audioguide must store personal customization. I also wanted customization options to appear for everyone, in order to make customization easier for those who need it and to raise awareness for everyone.

A secondary user-group is educators/art facilitators who may need to revisit the material after the visit, so I wanted users to be able to easily access previously played exhibitions.

Digital wireframes

I transitioned to digital wireframes using Figma. I focused on three aspect: showing users the various exhibitions they could attend, displaying customization options to all users, making sure all users can enjoy the exhibition and be guided through their visit, irrespective of their abilities. 

Users can access various audioguides through one and only app

Every user goes through customization features to encourage accessibility features’ use and awarenes

Every user can listen to the audio guide, no matter their language or hearing capacity

Every user can customize the appearance of the guide to their needs

Users can process information on their own

To prepare for usability testing, I created a low-fidelity prototype. Users choose an exhibition to play, set audio and visual customizations, and play the files.

Usability studies

I conducted two rounds of usability studies. The first usability study tested the low-fidelity prototype. The second usability study tested the high-fidelity prototype.

Round 1 usability study on low-fidelity prototype

Moderated usability study

Berlin, on site

5 participants

15-30 minutes

Findings:

1. Users want an easier way to play the audio guide

2. Users want less customization options

3. Users want a filter option for exhibitions

I analyzed the results by creating an affinity diagram. The findings helped guide the design from wireframes to mockup.

Round 2 usability study on high-fidelity prototype

Moderated usability study

Berlin, on site

5 participants

15-30 minutes

Findings:

1. Users still want a more intuitive navigation

2. Users want a clearer flow from exhibition selection to playing

3. Users want a sort option for exhibitions

Mockups

Based on the insight from the usability studies, I made the exhibition selection easier by changing colors to highlight call to action buttons

I simplified customization options in terms of content and appearance so that users feel less intimidated by this key screen

The high fidelity prototype followed the same user flow as the low-fidelity protype, including design changes made after the usability studies.

Accessibility considerations

Thanks to the option to retain device setting, people using accessibility settings or assistive technologies on their device will not loose their device’s customization while playing the app

The option to adapt language to needs (adult, child, non-fluent speaker) enables a wider audience to enjoy the content

Options for sight and hear impairment

(closed-captions, audio-descriptions, text size and spacing) are presented to all users

Impact

The Musem-me App provides accessible audioguides to help visitors enjoy art exhibitions

“It’s the first time I see my condition taken into account!” (a participant in the usability study)

Going forward