Case Study
Case Study
Book-ish a
MICA UX Design Capstone
Case Study
Book-ish a
MICA UX Design Capstone
Case Study
Background
Background
According to an “Economist”/YouGov poll, 46% of Americans reported they did not read a book in 2023, while only 5% finished one book. Americans are experiencing “reader’s block”, a phenomenon when one either feels paralyzed to start reading or they are unmotivated to continue reading.
How might reading habits be re-invigorated if users are provided personalized reading recommendations, reading goal tracking, and the ability to build community, all within one digital platform?
According to an “Economist”/YouGov poll, 46% of Americans reported they did not read a book in 2023, while only 5% finished one book. Americans are experiencing “reader’s block”, a phenomenon when one either feels paralyzed to start reading or they are unmotivated to continue reading.
How might reading habits be re-invigorated if users are provided personalized reading recommendations, reading goal tracking, and the ability to build community, all within one digital platform?
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
I want to improve my reading habit, but I have a difficult time finding book recommendations that align my specific interests so I’m left unable to start my
reading journey.
I want to improve my reading habit, but I have a difficult time finding book recommendations that align my specific interests so I’m left unable to start my
reading journey.
Timeline
Timeline
1 Week
2 Weeks
3 Weeks
Research
Design Solution
Test & Refine
Delivery
2 Weeks
Research
Design Solution
Test & Refine
Delivery
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Time in Weeks
My Approach
My Approach
01
01
User-Centered Research
User-Centered Research
My process began with a thorough understanding of the target users through user interviews and desk research. Insights were gathered by 10 users. This would lay the foundation to ensure that the product design was informed by real user needs and
pain points.
My process began with a thorough understanding of the target users through user interviews and desk research. Insights were gathered by 10 users. This would lay the foundation to ensure that the product design was informed by real user needs and
pain points.
02
02
Data Analysis
Data Analysis
Analyzing the user interviews with affinity mapping allowed for the identification of key themes and insights, which guided user persona and flow development, design direction and ensured that the final prototype addressed the most critical user requirements.
Analyzing the user interviews with affinity mapping allowed for the identification of key themes and insights, which guided user persona and flow development, design direction and ensured that the final prototype addressed the most critical user requirements.
03
03
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Additionally, I completed a competitive analysis to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing market solutions. This provided a clear understanding of where my product could differentiate itself; it helped to inform the final product feature set.
Additionally, I completed a competitive analysis to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing market solutions. This provided a clear understanding of where my product could differentiate itself; it helped to inform the final product feature set.
04
04
Iterative Design and Testing
Iterative Design and Testing
The final prototype was developed using an iterative design process, which included wireframing, design, and user testing. This allowed for continuous refinement, ensuring the product was both user-friendly and aligned with product goals.
The final prototype was developed using an iterative design process, which included wireframing, design, and user testing. This allowed for continuous refinement, ensuring the product was both user-friendly and aligned with product goals.
Target Users
Based on user research insights, my target audience are those who are interested in creating a consistent reading habit with the goal of enriching personal, social, and career interactions.
Target Users
Based on user research insights, my target audience are those who are interested in creating a consistent reading habit with the goal of enriching personal, social, and career interactions.
Key Lo-Fidelity Wireframes
Key Lo-Fidelity Wireframes
Recommendations
Library
Book Detail
Key Screens
Key Screens
Onboarding #1
Onboarding #2
Onboarding #3
Goal Stats
Quote
Goal Streak
Onboarding #1
Onboarding #2
Onboarding #3
Recommendations
Library
Book Detail
Goal Stats
Quote
Goal Streak
Outcomes
Outcomes
The user sentiment was largely neutral. Testers found the app concept promising but felt that it wasn’t fully realized at the testing stage.
The user sentiment was largely neutral. Testers found the app concept promising but felt that it wasn’t fully realized at the testing stage.
The interface and basic functionality were well-received, with users indicating they could see themselves using the app regularly.
The interface and basic functionality were well-received, with users indicating they could see themselves using the app regularly.
Testers expressed a need for additional features and a more complete experience to fully evaluate if the app would satisfy their needs.
Testers expressed a need for additional features and a more complete experience to fully evaluate if the app would satisfy their needs.
Program Reflections
Program Reflections
Lessons Learned
UX Research is where I shine. I really enjoyed the up front work with talking to users and then analyzing the data.
This experience increased my empathy level for designers. Managing a project solo from initiation to completion was very challenging, especially when you also have to execute the work.
Features are not a product! Any product worth its weight needs a baseline core function.
Takeaways
More Figma practice! I plan to take on some UX challenges to improve my Figma proficiency.
Incorporate design sprints in to my practice so that I keep forward progression in a more meaningful and effective way.
Dive more into UX principles like Heuristics, Jakob’s Law, etc so that I can become a expert collaborator within the field.
Lessons Learned
UX Research is where I shine. I really enjoyed the up front work with talking to users and then analyzing the data.
This experience increased my empathy level for designers. Managing a project solo from initiation to completion was very challenging, especially when you also have to execute the work.
Features are not a product! Any product worth its weight needs a baseline core function.
Takeaways
More Figma practice! I plan to take on some UX challenges to improve my Figma proficiency.
Incorporate design sprints in to my practice so that I keep forward progression in a more meaningful and effective way.
Dive more into UX principles like Heuristics, Jakob’s Law, etc so that I can become a expert collaborator within the field.
Lessons Learned
UX Research is where I shine. I really enjoyed the up front work with talking to users and then analyzing the data.
This experience increased my empathy level for designers. Managing a project solo from initiation to completion was very challenging, especially when you also have to execute the work.
Features are not a product! Any product worth its weight needs a baseline core function.
Takeaways
More Figma practice! I plan to take on some UX challenges to improve my Figma proficiency.
Incorporate design sprints in to my practice so that I keep forward progression in a more meaningful and effective way.
Dive more into UX principles like Heuristics, Jakob’s Law, etc so that I can become a expert collaborator within the field.
Lessons Learned
UX Research is where I shine. I really enjoyed the up front work with talking to users and then analyzing the data.
This experience increased my empathy level for designers. Managing a project solo from initiation to completion was very challenging, especially when you also have to execute the work.
Features are not a product! Any product worth its weight needs a baseline core function.
Takeaways
More Figma practice! I plan to take on some UX challenges to improve my Figma proficiency.
Incorporate design sprints in to my practice so that I keep forward progression in a more meaningful and effective way.
Dive more into UX principles like Heuristics, Jakob’s Law, etc so that I can become a expert collaborator within the field.
Lessons Learned
UX Research is where I shine. I really enjoyed the up front work with talking to users and then analyzing the data.
This experience increased my empathy level for designers. Managing a project solo from initiation to completion was very challenging, especially when you also have to execute the work.
Features are not a product! Any product worth its weight needs a baseline core function.
Takeaways
More Figma practice! I plan to take on some UX challenges to improve my Figma proficiency.
Incorporate design sprints in to my practice so that I keep forward progression in a more meaningful and effective way.
Dive more into UX principles like Heuristics, Jakob’s Law, etc so that I can become a expert collaborator within the field.
Thank you!