513Votes
Studio project focused on creating the user experience and visual design of UNIFY, a digital platform for collaborative music sharing. The app enables users to connect through curated playlists, shared listening sessions, and real-time music discovery
Project Type:
Design Research, Interaction Design
Date:
Fall 2024
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This studio project focused on redesigning the DailyArt art history learning application to improve user experience, accessibility, and engagement. I identified key usability issues in the existing interface, which felt outdated, difficult to navigate, and lacked engagement. My goal was to create a more intuitive and visually captivating experience that made discovering and learning about artwork more accessible.
The redesign introduced an interactive daily art reveal feature, where users could uncover a new piece of art each day and explore details such as the artist, medium, and location. Additionally, I integrated functionality to save favorite artworks for easy reference and provided insights into artists and museums beyond the artwork itself.
By simplifying the typeface and color palette, I created a clean, cohesive visual identity that allowed the artwork to take center stage. This project bridged my love of art history and design, demonstrating how thoughtful design can enhance learning experiences and make art more approachable for a wider audience.
Overview:
Over the course of a semester-long studio, classmate, Drew Hammond, and I explored the issue of political disengagement among university students, learning and applying design research methods to better understand the root causes of apathy and lack of participation.
Our final deliverable was 513Votes, a digital educational app aimed at increasing political awareness, confidence, and voter turnout at the University of Cincinnati.
Problem Area:
Political disengagement among university students.
Problem Statement:
University students who stray away from political engagement require proper, nonpartisan educational resources to become more prepared and engaged in United States democracy.
Problem Definition:
513Votes will increase political engagement and voter turn out for college students at the university of Cincinnati, while providing nonpartisan ballot and election information to students.
How might we:
1. Break down barriers by offering tools that promote confidence and independent thought?
2. Deliver digestible learning experiences that align with students' personal learning preferences?
3. Create a platform that is honest, educational, and inspiring, encouraging users to form their own political opinions?
Provide nonpartisan election and ballot information, offer accessible voting resources and deadlines, encourage consistent engagement through daily micro-learning, and expand political understanding in a personalized, judgment-free environment.
Design Research Methods:
We conducted expert and student interviews, along with surveys, to understand the barriers to political engagement among university students. Through a brainstorming session with classmates, we identified potential solutions to address these challenges. Using a concept matrix tool, we evaluated content formats to ensure the app aligned with user needs. Finally, we tested wireframes with users to refine the app's usability and design based on direct feedback.
Concept Selection:
We chose to create a digital educational learning app. Why?
Accessibility:
Allowing users to explore content at their finger tips without being forced into quizzes if they’re not ready. This flexibility ensures a more user-friendly experience to develop healthy learning habits.
Interactive:
Provides information, answers, and feedback to direct users to external resources with "Learn Why" links to help improve understanding.
Personalization:
Allows users to set personalized learning methods and goals, maintaining flexibility so they don’t feel pressured or overwhelmed by requirements. Ensures that users can progress at their own pace.
Gamification:
Utilizing features like streaks, leaderboards, and personalized quizzes, the app makes learning enjoyable and motivating. An incentive-driven environment that keeps users engaged.
Visual Direction:
Developed to reflect the app’s nonpartisan mission and educational focus, and drawing inspiration from the Statue of Liberty. Shades of teal were chosen to evoke neutrality, and paired with black and white imagery to create strong contrast. Together, these visual choices communicate trust, accessibility, and a commitment to honest, inclusive civic education.
