SimplyE App Case Study

Product Design, UX/UI Design, Affinity Mapping, Information architecture, Wireframing, Branding

Team: Leah Cuker, Anastasiia Fortune, Merav Keikov

The redesign of our library app focuses on enhancing the experience for children's books. Our goal is to create a user-friendly interface that allows parents to read with or without their children. We worked to create vibrant visuals and personalized recommendations, using feedback from kids and parents to shape the final design.

Project Overview & Goals

Improve the SimplyE app overall by creating a sense of interaction and community that brings aspects of the real-life library setting into the digital space. Design with our user in mind, whether they are experienced library-goers or new readers.
Provide an organized and streamlined experience that sets up libraries as legitimate competitors to other book apps.

Heuristic Evaluation

Critical

Flexibility & Efficiency of use
No option to search for library or filter within my library or reservations.

Recognition Rather Than Recall
Full capabilities unclear. Unfamiliar icon use and category names.

Neutral

Consistency & Standards
Swipe functions and back buttons are intuitive and standard.

User Control & Freedom
Bottom menu allows user to return to main pages from any point in journey.

Positive

Visibility of System Status
Progress bar appears when downloading book. States number in line for reserved book.

Error Prevention
App asks if you’re sure when clicking “Return” or “Remove”.

What We Can Improve

Provide a more tailored experience for the reader.
Introduce reader reviews to help with the decision-making process.
Streamline the overall experience.
Introduce features that help foster reading community.
Introduce interactive functions that mimic real-life library interactions.
Create filters and process for recommended books.
Better the overall organization and experience.

Competitor Analysis

Overdrive App

Free library app partnered with
the NYPL.
Cross-platform usage through Kindle and EPUB.
Thorough search options.
Multiple menus at different levels.
Hides important pages deep within the app.

Goodreads App

Free service for book tracking, recommendations and reviews
Cross-platform usage through Kindle.
Reading network and community.
Clear rating system and basic book info on display.
Easy to find book reviews.

User Persona

Sadie Handler, 36

Hands-On Mom On-The-Go

STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Part-time copywriter, Mom

LOCATION: Manhattan EDUCATION: BA in English

PERSONALITY: Independent, Thoughtful, Empathetic

Bio

Sadie lives in Manhattan with her husband and 3 year old daughter Olive. She recently made the move from working full-time to part-time and is adjusting to life as a new mother. Sadie spends her day with her daughter while her husband is at the office. She is socially conscious and pays close attention to the brands and companies she supports. Education is crucially important to Sadie in regards to raising the easily distracted, bright young Olive.

Behaviors

Always takes her daughter with her when she can
Researches brands before making purchases
Guides her daughter towards content that promotes feminism, diversity, and love
Uses her phone to entertain her daughter when necessary
Has begun educating her daughter from home

Empathy Mapping

Say

"Olive LOVES books!"
"Kids learn just as much outside of the classroom as they do in the classroom"
“I don't mind giving her my phone to read, it's better than some of the mind-numbing shows out there!"

Do

Gives Olive her phone to watch videos when nothing else will hold her attention
Watches Youtube reviews of children's books
Reads aloud to her daughter every night

Think

What can I do to keep Olive occupied?
Technology should be a helpful, not harmful tool for children
I’ve been mislead by professional reviews of books in the past, I’d rather hear from other parents

Feel

Stressed about being a working mother
Concern for her daughter's education
Committed to raising her daughter with a full world view

As a User I Want:

To [rovide my child with engaging, entertaining, and educational content.
To help my child build on existing interests, and explore new experiences through books.
To have some peace of mind about what my child is reading.