UI /UX Case Study Mobile - App
Tools
Duration
1 June -9 July
(5 weeks)
Designed by Faith Muema
Online Book Library
B2C Business Model
ABOUT THE APP
Inkwell is a mobile application designed specifically for book lovers. With Inkwell, users can easily read their favorite books, mark them as favorites, and join engaging book clubs. These clubs cater to various interests, allowing readers to connect with others who share their literary passions. Whether you're diving into a novel alone or exploring it with a community, Inkwell enhances the reading experience, making it more interactive and enjoyable.
THE PROBLEM
Inkwell address the key challenges being faced by book website and application.
Access to books - Many Readers miss the opportunity to access books easily
Discovering new books - So many readers find it difficult to discover books of their liking.
Community engagements - Many readers miss out in community engagements through the traditional methods of book clubs
THE SOLUTION
Creating An application that enables the users to access books easily and discovering books . Also the users will be able to engage in the community through book clubs.
MY ROLE
UX Research
Information Architecture
Wireframing & Prototyping
Usability Testing
UI Design
TOOLS
Figma
Zoom
FigJam
Whimsical
#1
Frequency of use
Many users prefer reading before bed or during their commute, making offline access and customizable lighting settings (like night mode) crucial.
#2
Content Preferences
Users often like certain genres or types of content, such as mystery novels, self-help books, or audiobooks, highlighting the need for genre-specific recommendations and easy access to different content formats.
PAIN POINTS AND CHALLENGES
#1
Navigation difficulties
Users might struggle with finding specific books or navigating through their library, indicating a need for improved search functionality and better organization within the app.
#2
Feature overload
Some users may feel overwhelmed by too many features and prefer a more streamlined, simple interface, suggesting the importance of intuitive design and the option to hide or customize visible features.
#3
Effective Discovery
Users often rely on personalized recommendations and curated lists to find new books, emphasizing the importance of robust recommendation algorithms and the ability to explore similar books.
#4
Social Influence
Many users appreciate social features like seeing what friends are reading, sharing quotes, and participating in book discussions, suggesting these could be valuable additions to your app.
QUESTIONNEIRES
What is your Gender?
Female
Male
23%
32%
45%
How frequently do you read?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
25%
35%
40%
What is your Gender?
16-25
25-35
35 - Above
25%
15%
60%
How many books do you read in a Month?
1
2
3 and Above
To gain a deeper understanding of the book app market, I conducted a competitive analysis focusing on Kindle, Audible, and Kobo.
Kindle
Audible
Kobo
Offers a vast selection of eBooks, including bestsellers, classics, and indie publications.
Seamless integration with Kindle devices, Fire tablets, and Kindle apps on various platforms.
Intuitive and clean design that makes navigation and reading easy, even for new users.
Extensive selection of audiobooks, including exclusive content and original productions.
Professional narration and high-quality audio enhance the listening experience.
Monthly credits, member discounts, and access to exclusive content make subscriptions attractive.
Syncs audiobooks with Kindle eBooks, allowing users to switch seamlessly between reading and listening.
Supports a variety of eBook formats, including EPUB, which is popular among readers.
Kobo readers are known for their high-quality displays and extensive customization options.
Integration with OverDrive allows users to borrow eBooks from public libraries directly on their devices.
Features like customizable fonts, themes, and reading stats cater to avid readers.
Strong presence in international markets with a wide range of localized content.
Strengths
Fewer customization options for font types and sizes compared to competitors.
Strict Digital Rights Management (DRM) can limit sharing and transferring books between devices.
Some users find the interface less intuitive and visually appealing than competitors.
Monthly subscription fees can be a barrier for some users, especially those who don't consume a lot of audiobooks.
Users don't own the audiobooks outright, which can be a drawback for some.
Some users find the app interface complex and difficult to navigate.
Smaller audiobook library compared to competitors like Audible.
Less market penetration
Discovery features and recommendation algorithms are less advanced than competitors.
Weaknesses
Integrating more social sharing and community features could increase user engagement.
Better integration of Audible content within the Kindle app could offer a more seamless experience.
Adding more accessibility features for visually impaired users could broaden the user base.
Introducing more flexible and affordable subscription plans could attract a broader audience.
Improving recommendation algorithms and discovery features could help users find content they love more easily.
Partnering with other media platforms (e.g., podcasts, music streaming) could provide a more comprehensive audio experience.
Expanding the audiobook catalog and improving integration with eBooks could attract more users.
Adding more social features and community engagement tools could improve user retention.
Increasing marketing efforts in the U.S. and other key markets could boost visibility and user acquisition.
Opportunities
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
2
USER PERSONNA
A user persona is a fictional representation of a typical user based on real data and research. It includes detailed profiles of the target audience, helping designers and developers understand users' needs, behaviors, goals, and pain points. Creating user personas allows teams to keep the user at the center of the design process, making decisions that are more aligned with real user needs.
About
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Occupation:
Location:
Emmah
26
Female
Product Manager
Urban Area
Bio
Emmah Lives in a busy city and has a demanding job. She loves reading but she struggles to find time for it. She's tech-savvy and often uses her phone and tablet for various tasks, including reading.
Challenges and Pain Points
Frustrations: Limited time to read, difficulty finding books that match her interests, and eye strain from prolonged screen use.
Needs: An easy way to discover new books, options for audio content to listen to during commutes, and a comfortable reading experience on digital devices.
Behaviors and Attitudes
Technology Use: Very comfortable with smartphones and tablets, prefers apps with intuitive design.
Product Interaction: Reads in short bursts during breaks, commutes, and before bed. Enjoys both ebooks and audiobooks.
Goal
To read more books in her limited free time.
Motivation
Enjoys escaping into different worlds and learning new things through books.
3
USER FLOW
Creating a user flow helps visualize the steps a user takes to achieve specific goals.
5
6
SKETCHES
Using the initial user flow diagram, I created basic wireframes to visualize the layout of high-fidelity wireframes and identify user-friendly design elements.
SYSTEM DESIGN
TYPOGRAPHY
INPUTS
BUTTONS
NAVIGATIONS
COLOR PALETTE
FRAMES
7
LOW FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
WIREFRAMES
8
HIGH FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
9
PROTOTYPE
10
USER TESTING
I tested my prototype with five users to gather their reactions and assess how well the product meets user expectations. The testing was conducted online, allowing me to observe and analyze user interactions in a real-world setting. This usability testing helps me understand how users feel about the product and identify areas for improvement.
Task assigned
Feedback
Adding background to the status bar with scroll screens.
Increase font size to some of the pages with extremely small fonts
Fonts and their Hierarchy
Add streak to the app soo that people will be motivated to come back
Improvement
“I could tell what the design is all about from the first page”
“Overall design is good and clean I love it”
“Easy to use and navigate”
“Bottomline is it is a wholesome application, I feel like you have satisified most of the concerns that readers are looking for. The option of joining a book club is fantastic “
THANKYOU FOR WATCHING
DESIGN PROCESS
Empathize
Define
Ideate
Design &
Prototype
Test
User Research
Competitor Analysis
User Persona
Empathy Map
User Flow
Sketches
Design System
Wireframes
Prototypes
Usability
Testing
USER RESEARCH
Emphathize is Understanding the needs, experiences and motivations of end users.
EMPHATHIZE
Putting the user at the center of design decisions is crucial in a user-centred design process. By conducting user interviews, I was not only able to gain insights into the needs and wants of users but also become more familiar with their backgrounds, which will help me design the app better.
1
FINDINGS FROM THE USER INTERVIEWS
EMPATHY MAP
SAYS
I love getting lost in a good book, but it's hard to find time to read with my busy schedule.
Audiobooks are a lifesaver during my commute. I wish more apps made it easy to switch between reading and listening.
THINKS
I want to make the most of my limited free time by reading or listening to books.
Finding new books that I will enjoy is sometimes a challenge.
I need a comfortable and customizable reading experience to avoid eye strain.
DOES
Reads in short bursts during breaks, commutes, and before bed.
Uses her phone and tablet frequently for reading and listening to audiobooks.
Searches for book recommendations and new releases online.
Customizes reading settings (like font size and background color) to improve comfort.
FEELS
Enjoys the escape and learning that books provide.
Frustrated by the lack of time to read and eye strain from digital screens.
Appreciates the convenience and accessibility of audiobooks.
Satisfied when she finds a good book that fits her interests and schedule.
4
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