Whimsy Art Walks
Digital Product Deisgn
Project Inention
The original intention of this product design is to create a multi-faceted platform that serves users and project managers at the same time. While improving the experience of users, it also improves the efficiency of project management and operators. Determined to promote a healthy lifestyle for local residents.
Project Overview
Whimsy Walks (https://whimsywalks.org/) is a platform that promotes public art and nature sites in Seattle neighborhoods. This project is in collaboration with local artist Gregory Engle to enhance the platform's offerings and engage more community members in exploring their neighborhoods and developing their personal relationship and appreciation of public art and nature. ( )
Context
Role: UX Research, UI Design, Prototyping, Branding
Durantion: 8 weeks (October 2022 - December 2022)
Sponsor: Seattle Art Museum
Tools Used: Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk Fusion 360
Problem Statement
How to encourage residents to get some exercise, let them explore and navigate new sites, and develop their personal relationship and appreciation of the public display of art and nature where they live?
User Research
Part 1:
Field Study Observation
By conducted a formative research study through contextual field study and survey. For the contextual field study, I went to a few of the locations currently included in the Whimsy Walks website and observed the surroundings and interactions that took place.
Observation Notes
Part 2:
Survey
In addition, I also conducted a survey with 35 respondents who live in neighborhoods in Washington State. By recruiting participants by sending out links through local neighborhoods groups through social media sites like Reddit and Nextdoor. I also posted posters with QR code linked to the survey form at local parks.
For the research study, the main research questions that I aimed to answer were:
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What motivates residents to walk and explore their neighborhood?
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What problems do residents encounter when they walk around their neighborhood?
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How do the different Whimsy Walks art displays impact and influence their overall exercising experience?
Survey Research Findings
User Persona(s)
The decision to establish two personas at this stage is driven by the recognition that in real life, products often cater to diverse user groups. By creating two distinct personas, my goal is aim to gain a deeper understanding of my users' diverse needs. My primary goal is to bridge the gap between users and park administrators, ensuring a satisfying experience for both client groups.By collected valuable user data, this information will not only enhance the services I offer but also empower park administrators to make informed improvements from their perspective, ultimately resulting in an enriched overall experience for everyone involved.
Park Admin Juliann
Target User Autumn
Part 3:
Ideation
By generating a total of 20 sketches, I was able to explore a wide range of design concepts and ideas, allowing me to consider both conventional and innovative approaches. This extensive ideation process not only encouraged creativity but also enabled myself to identify unique solutions that might have otherwise been overlooked. Ultimately, the biggest takeaway from this approach was the ability to make well-informed design decisions by selecting the most promising elements from diverse pool of sketches, ensuring a user-centric and visually compelling app interface.
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Part 4:
Design Solution
I selected a nature and active color scheme that can be seen on the left. I wanted to create a sense of natural vibes that would appeal to people who enjoys walking. The light tan color creates a feeling of warmth and comfort, while many green images used evoke a sense of nature and vitality. The font was also chosen based on the same principles of simplicity and clarity. Together, the colors and font create a cohesive and visually appealing design that aligns with the goals of my project.
Part 5:
Design Focused Area
Labeling this area as "Design Focused" was a strategic move to prioritize the users' needs. By filtering and identifying the most essential requirements from both user groups, I ensured that the design process was grounded in addressing these critical concerns. The integration of star-labeled stickers as a primary feature in the final design served as a pivotal solution that bridged the gap between user needs and fostered a more effective user experience. The key takeaway here was the importance of aligning design decisions with user priorities, ultimately resulting in a more user-centric and efficient solution.
Part 6:
User Flow - Admin Portal & Uers Portal
Creating the user flow was a crucial step in streamlining the navigation between pages and functions within the app, ensuring a user-friendly experience. It taught me that information architecture in UX design plays a pivotal role in filling the gap between user needs and the final interface. User flows act as the bridge connecting the UX and UI design stages, highlighting areas where improvements can be made in the transition. Additionally, it revealed that the UI can sometimes influence the UX, and through usability testing, adjustments can be made to enhance both aspects. The key takeaways include the significance of a well-structured information architecture and the iterative nature of UX and UI design, which can be refined through user testing for optimal results.
Part 7:
Task Flow
I created a task flow on top of the user flow for Whimsy Art Walks because it provided a more detailed and granular perspective on how users would interact with the app to achieve specific tasks or goals. Task flows help break down the user journey into step-by-step processes, making it easier to identify potential pain points, bottlenecks, or areas of improvement. By developing the task flow, I gained a deeper understanding of the project as it allowed me to focus on the specific actions users needed to perform, uncovering nuances in the user experience that may have been overlooked in a broader user flow.
Part 7:
Project Timeline and Prototype
Section 1 -2 : Project Timeline
Creating an interactive timeline is crucial as it serves as a dynamic record of project milestones and tasks, promoting accountability, transparency, and efficient planning. This timeline also serves as a powerful communication tool, keeping all stakeholders informed about key project details and fostering collaboration, ultimately contributing to successful project management and delivery.
Section 2-2 : Prototype
I created prototypes for the project because they are instrumental in visualizing and testing the user experience before final development. Prototypes matter because they allow me to validate design decisions, gather feedback, and identify potential issues early in the process, saving time and resources down the line. By creating different portals for different user groups and making them available for testing, I ensured that the user interface and functionality catered specifically to each group's needs and preferences. This approach not only helped in refining the user experience but also ensured that the final product was more user-centric and aligned with the diverse needs of my target audience.
Admin Portal
Visitor Portal
Personalized Profile