The project received the highest grade with honours after a successful presentation to the examination board. Given the real demand for this application by users, further development and expansion is being considered.
Results
Tasks
- Conceptualisation: Formulate a conceptual framework for the application based on the objectives.
- User-centred research: Conduct thorough user interviews and competitor analysis to get information on user preferences, competitor offerings, strengths and weaknesses.
- Concept refinement: Refine the initial concept to align it with the identified market gaps and user requirements.
- Information Architecture: Develop a comprehensive information architecture specifying the major sections and subcomponents of the application.
- User flowchart: Create a flowchart to visualise navigation and user interaction in the application.
- Wireframes: Create wireframes of key screens in the application.
- Prototype: Create and test a prototype thoroughly to evaluate the effectiveness of the user flow.
- Design: Develop a visual identity for the product, implement UI Kit, design the main application screens.
The Hubook project is a collaborative coursework done during the Erasmus semester in Florence in co-operation with my fellow students Doriana Galletta and Giorgia Di Cio. Our common goal was to create an app designed for book lovers.
This app is designed to help users discover new books to read and provide an opportunity to discuss books with others in book clubs. This case study describes the process of designing this app.
This app is designed to help users discover new books to read and provide an opportunity to discuss books with others in book clubs. This case study describes the process of designing this app.
About
Tasks
User interviews
User experience
User experience
Wireframes
User interface
User interface
Client
Istituto superiore per le industrie artistiche — Firenze
Date
June 2023
We had six months to develop this project from scratch. The process included the following stages: research, concept definition, development of information architecture and flowcharts, wireframing, creation of design system and user interface components, development of application screens and prototyping.
During the interview phase, we identified the main pain points that were not effectively covered by existing apps. Based on them, we shaped the offer and the main functions of our app.
After completing the interview phase and finalising the concept, we were able to identify the main target audience and define the features required to meet their needs.
The information architecture was then designed to provide a well-structured framework for organising all the functions of the application.
At this stage, we realised that our initial app concept was too complex and feature-rich. To optimise the project, we carefully selected the main functions and created a flowchart illustrating navigation and user interaction. This step allowed us to clarify priorities and simplify the user experience.
Next, we created wireframes of the main screens of the application and developed a clickable prototype to test the user flow.
After developing a brand identity and UI Kit with the core components, we went through several iterations before we were able to finalise the look and feel of the main screens of the app. The main parts of the app included a Profile page where the user could track their events and check out new books, a Book Clubs page where the user could join an existing book club or create their own, and a Shelves page containing a catalog of books saved by the user, by category.
Moreover, our app featured a unique "Discover in the Dark" ("Scoprire al buio") section. Here, users could pick their preferred book genres, "moods" and read the plot and character descriptions without seeing the book's title, author, or cover. If they didn't like a story, they could swipe left for the next book, or swipe right to reveal the cover and save it to their shelves.
The design for this section differed from the rest of the app to emphasise the "discovery in the dark" concept. When a book was revealed, the app's UI brightened again.
The design for this section differed from the rest of the app to emphasise the "discovery in the dark" concept. When a book was revealed, the app's UI brightened again.
Overall, the app received positive feedback from potential users. However, further refinement of screens and features, along with comprehensive user testing, was necessary. Unfortunately, due to project time constraints, we couldn't address these aspects fully. Nevertheless, we have plans to continue its development in the future.
Regina Kushtanova
flickerise@gmail.com
+4915168437425
flickerise@gmail.com
+4915168437425
