My Library Mobile App
Overview
My Library is the mobile app of the Hong Kong Public Libraries. It provides a convenient channel to access the services of the Hong Kong Public Libraries. Users can search for, reserve, and renew library materials through the app. This redesign concept aimed to improve the overall user experience of the mobile app to make accessing library services easier.
Role
UI/UX Designer
Year
2019
Tools
Figma, Sketch, Whimsical
Context
As an reader, I transitioned from purchasing books to borrowing them due to limited space at home. This led me to use the Hong Kong Public Libraries' mobile app. However, I was immediately struck by its outdated and cumbersome user interface. While the app's basic functions like renewing and reserving books were functional, the overall user experience was marred by poor navigation and design inconsistencies. Recognizing the potential for improvement, I decided to undertake a redesign of the app.
Personas
To gain insight into public library users' book lending experiences, behaviors, and pain points, I conducted 5 user interviews. Based on the data collected, I created two personas. This step allows me to maintain a user-centric focus on needs and goals during the design process.
Problems
Poor visual hierarchy
It makes the information hard to read and digest
Inconsistent design language
It increases unnecessary learning and confusion
Unreasoned architecture and navigation
It increases overall interaction and learning costs
Insufficient item's information
It increases difficulties for users to make decision
Lack of personalised suggestions
It lowers users' engagement and stickiness
Meaningless information
It creates unnecessary noise and distracts users
Directions
Simplify
Simplify the app architecture and navigation
Unify
Create and apply a consistent design language
Optimize
Improve visual hierarchy and user flow
Personalize
Suggest items based on users' preferences
Navigation
The current navigation structure hides many pages in the side navigation menu. This clumsy design increases user interaction cost, negatively affecting the overall user experience.
Design
An overview for your items
The original design separates items onto different pages, making it unintuitive and inefficient for users to browse. The new design allows users to perform corresponding actions and check the status of their items in one place.
Identify useful items with ease
It may be frustrating for users when they visit an item's details page and find no information about its content. The new design offers not only an introduction to the item and its contents, but also information about the author. This allows users to identify items that could be useful to them.
Suggest items you might like
The new design recommends items to users based on their interests, saved items, and previously borrowed items.
Follow your favourite authors
Users will receive notifications when new items from their followed authors are added to libraries.
Save items and share your lists
Users can save items to their created lists and share these with friends or on social media.
Borrow items with your phone
To enhance user convenience, users can swiftly access services in libraries using their digital library cards, once they've saved their accounts in the mobile app.
Marcus Kung