Deichman Bjørvika
My role: UX design and UI design
Tools: Adobe Xd, Adobe illustrator
2023
Mobile application for the new Deichman Library in Bjørvika, Oslo. Based on feedback from our interview subjects, we designed features such as the calendar and food service, in addition to search, reservation, and borrowing within the app.
PROBLEM
How can a digital tool make it easier for families with young children to navigate events, reserve books, and order food during a library visit in Deichman Bjørvika?
Workshop
Interviews
Analysis of data
Personas
User scenarios
App design
Testing
PROCESS
OUTCOME
Mobile application for the new Deichman Library in Bjørvika, Oslo. Based on feedback from our interview subjects, we designed features such as the calendar and food service, in addition to search, reservation, and borrowing within the app.
Concept development
During the development of the idea map, we discussed features such as book ratings (with rewards in the form of coupons), a calendar, a map of the library and food ordering. By discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the different features, we concluded that the ideas mentioned above were well-received by the group. Each of us then awarded 1, 2, and 3 stars to the ideas we liked best. The result of this exercise showed that the idea of having a calendar in the app that provides a good overview of events was something we wanted to explore further. Various ideas around the café also scored highly. Therefore, we continued to work on these two categories, as well as the borrowing function. We also considered a map og the library, but were unsure of its value within the app.
Secondary target group
Since the library is open to more than just parents with young children, we have also created a secondary target group for whom we are tailoring the app's functions. This group consists of young adults aged 20-30 with a cultural interest. They have completed their studies, do not have children, and want to explore new items, events, and expand their social network within the cultural sector.
User interviews
Based on the responses from our interview subjects, we found that there is a desire for a café service where users can view the menu, order, and pay digitally. Additionally, it became evident that users often do not know what events and services the library offers.
We combined the two best ideas, along with the borrowing functionality, with the findings from the interviews. We discovered an important target group during our interviews; parents of young children. Therefore, we decided to make this our primary target group for the project.
Personas
Primary target group
Based on the interview findings, we have created two personas that represent our target groups. The primary target group is parents with children under 10 years old. Their hectic daily lives, consisting of full-time work and daycare/school, create a need for efficiency and user-friendliness within a narrow time frame in the afternoons and on weekends.
Ella
Age: 39 years old
Occupation: full time employee at a pharmacy
Interests: handball and hiking
Digital experience: frequent smartphone user, understands app functionality well
Ella’s ideal library: café with food and drink service, child-friendly environment
Values: prioritizes safety, hygiene, the ability to supervise children while engaging in other activities, cleanliness, and efficiency
Needs: requires a peaceful environment and energy recharge due to the demands of active young children, as well as storage facilities and excellent service
Kamilla
Age: 24 years old
Occupation: Part time employee at a kitchen store
Interests: books and painting
Digital experience: daily smartphone use
Kamilla’s Ideal library: Reading Compass in Denmark
Values: prioritizes hygiene and efficiency
Needs: social interaction and cultural entertainment
Information architecture
Design process
Wireframes
Low fidelity prototype
High fidelity prototype
User scenarios
Scenarios were used to clarify the needs of the target group, based on the personas. We developed three scenarios. Scenario 1 involved Ella and her child, and focused on the use of borrowing/reservation in the app. Scenario 2 was somewhat a continuation of Scenario 1 and was based on the café and calendar functions. The third scenario was based on Kamilla using the app to find events that matched her interests.
Scenario 1
High-level prototype of how scenario 1, book reservation (loan), will appear in the app.
Scenario 2
High-level prototype of how the first part of scenario 2, event registration (calendar function), will appear in the app.
Scenario 3
High-level prototype of how the second part of scenario 2, drink ordering (café function), will appear in the app.
Testing
The goal of the user test was to find out how someone who had never seen or used the app before experienced navigating it and finding their needs. We have used scenarios as the basis for the testing.
The test subjects were tasked with finding and performing the same tasks as our persona, Ella. A test script was created for this purpose. The test script consisted of the questions we planned to ask the test subjects. It was important that the questions were not leading. The test subjects must have the opportunity to think as independently as possible for the results to be accurate.
To conduct the tests, we all downloaded the Adobe XD app onto our phones. This allowed the test subjects to see the app on a mobile device where they could tap the screen as they normally would, rather than on a computer. Additionally, the phone was easier for us to carry and may have made the experience less intimidating than if we arrived with a lot of equipment. Before the actual testing, we ensured that everything was functioning properly. The people we tested were random passersby on the street and acquaintances. We have estimated each test to take approximately 5 minutes.
Iterations
Generally, the test subjects found the app easy to navigate. For example, the icons in the menu bar were easy to understand, and it was obvious to them that filled icons indicated their current location in the app.
Some users suggested that the coupon for free coffee should be located under the coffee category itself. We noted that some of them looked for the coupon under coffee. One person also wanted it in the shopping cart.
The digital tool ensures a comfortable and efficient user experience for families with young children at Deichman Bjørvika. By offering features such as food ordering and a calendar that gather all events in one place, we can enhance the frequency and engagement of our target audience's visits to the library. The app needs further user testing to ensure the wanted results.
