Museums of London

Roles and Responsibilities:

• User Research - Gathering data, interviews, creating a domain model

• Design - Site mapping, user journeys, wireframing

• Evaluation - User testing and evaluating wireframes

Tools used:

• Figma

• Miro

• Diagrams.net

• Freeform

project brief

For one of my core module Information Architecture for HCI at City University London required us to design a web-based information environment, and evaluate and improve it with user feedback in a chosen domain. I chose to focus on London museums.

Problem Statement

How can we create a museum-focused website that consolidates London museum information into a single platform, providing a personalized and engaging user experience that inspires participation in events and exhibitions? The aim is to enhance engagement with cultural and historical knowledge, preserve society's memory, and promote exploration of London's museums.

User Research

During the research process, data was gathered and analyzed from indirect sources, like museum websites, Wikipedia, and London websites. In addition, conducting in-depth interviews with domain experts was an essential part of the research process. The interviews provided valuable insight into the subject matter. As a result of these interviews, complex concepts and relationships were clarified.

domain modle

I identified essential entities and their relationships. I then created a visual representation of the domain model, starting with rough sketches on paper and using online tools. To streamline the model, I used Atherton and Hane's "chunking" method and gave object boundaries to focus on key areas and simplify it. After validating the domain model, I sent it to domain experts for feedback, iterated, and refined the model based on their suggestions.

site map

Drawing inspiration from the domain model, I created a well-structured sitemap to guide the development of the website's global navigation menu. Utilizing a top-down approach, I provided a comprehensive overview of the content, while incorporating sub-navigation elements to offer greater detail and context.

To assess the effectiveness and user-friendliness of the sitemap, I conducted a closed card sort, which allowed me to gather valuable feedback. This iterative design process facilitated the refinement of the sitemap, ultimately leading to improvements in clarity and overall site navigation.

User journeys

I crafted an all-encompassing user journey, allowing users to explore every available option based on their individual choices. Using the sitemap as a reference, I designed a specific task for users to find a child-friendly art exhibition in London.

By incorporating decision-making points and thought bubbles into the user journey, I was able to effectively illustrate user intentions and potential obstacles they might face during their experience on the website.

Wireframe evaluation

• Conducted rigorous user testing and evaluation to ensure website usability

• Made improvements based on valuable user feedback

• Focused on clean and intuitive design to minimize cognitive load and enhance user experience

• Iterated on design in response to user feedback by:

  • Incorporating breadcrumbs for seamless navigation

  • Optimizing button sizes for increased clickability

  • Adjusting font sizes to improve readability

reflection

Overall, the Information Architecture for London Museums project provided me with a wealth of knowledge and practical experience. From selecting a topic to developing a comprehensive information architecture, I learned to balance various project constraints and create user-friendly, engaging designs. I am excited to apply these lessons to future UX projects.

next step

If I had more time, I would focus on improving the user experience and engagement on the platform in several ways. Firstly, by analyzing user behavior on the website, I could determine if booking tickets should be a key focus and whether adding personalized event reminders and social sharing options would be beneficial. Secondly, expanding the scope of the project beyond museums to include galleries, cultural centers, and other points of interest would create a more comprehensive cultural platform for users. Finally, exploring partnerships with museums and other cultural institutions could enable me to offer exclusive content, special offers, and events, thereby enhancing the user experience and engagement. These improvements would help to make the platform more engaging and valuable for users.

For more inquiries or to have a chat, feel free to reach out to me at Ruwaydahshariffali@outlook.com ☺️

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