GOIN - booking app

The wave of artistic creativity and love of beauty is spreading, with many people interested in art gallery, exhibitions,... However, finding and participating in the art gallery faces many difficulties because user and the organizers do not have any possible connection or notification.

Type:

Gaduation Project

Deliverables

IOS Product Design, Branding, Web Design, Marketing Design, Illustration

Tools

Sketch, Photoshop, Figma, Paper & Sharpie

Year

2023

Team

Hannah: Instructor

Goin Team:

Truc Ly, Quang Truong,

Thai Duy, Cong Tin

Before I instructed, Ly and Truong were already tossing around the idea for the app and had already begun initial work. I thought the idea was incredibly interesting and wanted to help see it through. As a key instructor of the team, I was involved in all the major decisions for the creation of Goin. I worked with the team to help create the branding and product. I helped designed both the Android application. When team was busy coding the front-end, I took charge of marketing design, development of the marketing website, as well as reached out to investors, influencers, and writers

BRANDING & LOGOMARK

Based on our discussions, I found images and references that aligned with what we wanted to represent.I also created a moodboard then added & removed images while discussing with the team. Our goal was to capture the strongness (a word from our sticky notes) of the art eye theme yet still be tasteful (another word).

In the end, We decided to make the app orange with an artistic eye and strong square shapes.

Due to the nature of booking applications, we wanted to make sure users could review or feedback to all users regardless of platform. Plus, I viewed Goin as a learning opportunity and wanted to try creating both applications from booking and reviewing.

FTUE, FIRST IMPRESSIONS & USER TESTING

Firstly, gathering information from users before starting a UI/UX project is a crucial step to ensure that you're aiming to develop a genuinely useful solution that engages users positivelyBy posing both quantitative and qualitative questions, we aimed to pinpoint the users' needs.

Finally, we distilled key insights, paving the way for the gradual formation of impactful brainstorming sessions

Given that Goin differed from typical booking applications, I aimed to ensure that our first-time user experience provided clear explanations and addressed user queries

Then, we used gray scale in wireframes focuses on structure, eliminating color elements. It helps designers and developers concentrate on the positioning and size of elements. By avoiding color distractions, it maintains focus, saves design time, and enhances compatibility across various screens.

During the initial testing phase, the majority of users opted for a white background rather than a dark one. However, as only a small percentage of artworks stood out against the dark background and to infuse an artistic feel, we chose to eliminate the white background. Instead, we adopted a dark screen with orange text for heading and button. The selection of images was done with great care

HOMESCREEN

On the homepage, we give priority to exhibits located near users and those that are most popular. Additionally, we provide filter and search options for a seamless user experience. Initially, there was some confusion when using text instead of icons, but through testing, we found that users felt overwhelmed with excessive text information.

To address this, I directed the team to implement simple icons, such as calendar, time, and location. This change resulted in a cleaner and more organized appearance

MESSEGE: Quick Updates and Direct Interaction

We aim to help users avoid the risks and complications associated with exchanging information with impersonators. In Goin, information and messages are directly linked to exhibition organizers to prevent any unwanted situations.

In terms of design, our goal is to enable users to quickly grasp key details about the exhibition, including its location, time, ticket prices, and genre. This ensures users can easily find the right exhibition for them

In addition, we've incorporated a feedback feature, allowing users to view information about the exhibition as well as others' experiences

The map location search is crucial. Based on our practical experiences, we've observed users who either reside far from the city or are traveling and wish to explore the precise location of the ongoing exhibition

FULLY FUNCTIONAL BOOKING APPLICATION

Goin is a fully functional messaging application. Recognizing the multitude of choices users have for booking apps, we ensured Goin encompasses all the essential features expected from a booking application, including information, contact details, ticket prices, event timings, payment methods, calendar integration, and a QR code

CONCLUSION & TAKEAWAYS

When I first received instructions, I never anticipated the extent of learning that would come from guiding students in the suggested direction. Combining my own experiences with the new ideas provided, I discovered the challenges that arise when things deviate from our initial plans. Navigating through such situations, I gained insights into motivating others, fostering their drive to complete projects.

The process of listening to each other strengthened our mutual trust. While disagreements surfaced about what approach was best, we consistently backed our preferences with sound reasoning. In the end, the design retained its authority, holding the final power over design decisions

As a creative individual, I used to believe that creating something of high quality would automatically attract users. However, I've come to understand that users prioritize solutions to their needs over aesthetics or performance. A mentor once shared with me, 'UX is not art; UX is a science.'

In overseeing the culmination of the Goin Booking for Art project during my guidance for the thesis, I further learned the critical importance of addressing user needs. Crafting a visually appealing, polished, and fast-loading application is insufficient if it fails to solve a genuine user requirement. This insight has reshaped my perspective, emphasizing the user-centric and problem-solving aspects of UX design over mere aesthetics

And, on that report day, it happened to be my birthday and also marked the last day of teaching this class. In a heartwarming gesture, you all organized a surprise birthday party for me, complete with gifts and a birthday cake. It was a truly memorable and special way to conclude our time together : )

Thank you for reading!