Focusing on redesigning an existing app for this case study allows an exploration of user-centric design principles and the strategic evolution of digital platforms. Redesign projects offer insights into transforming outdated interfaces into modern, intuitive experiences that meet contemporary user expectations.
Why Goodreads?
Goodreads, a widely-used platform for book enthusiasts acquired by Amazon, is chosen for its substantial user base and persistent usability challenges. Its outdated design and complex navigation detract from user engagement, despite its pivotal role in book discovery and community interaction. Redesigning Goodreads aims to enhance user experience, simplify functionality, and reinforce its position as a premier platform for readers to discover, discuss, and track their literary interests effectively.
Intuitive Issues and Navigation
Many users find Goodreads difficult to navigate, with essential functions like adding books to shelves or finding specific book lists not intuitively located.
Outdated Design
Users constantly criticize Goodreads for its outdated aesthetic and lack of modern UI elements.
Visibility Issues in Review Input Field
Users report problems with the review input field, where text can be obscured or not display properly.
Visibility of System Status
Search, Scanner, and Find Friends Buttons.
Issue: Lack of clear visual contrast and recognizable icons for intuitive functionality.
Improvement: Enhance visibility through distinct icons and consistent design language across the app.
Match Between System and the Real World
Basic Filtering Options.
Issue: Insufficient flexibility to combine or customize genre filters.
Improvement: Provide advanced filter options that cater to diverse user preferences and search criteria.
User Control
Basic Filtering Options
Issue: Insufficient flexibility to combine or customize genre filters.
Improvement: Provide advanced filter options that cater to diverse user preferences and search criteria.
Consistency
Issue: Bland visual presentation and limited content variety, requiring horizontal scrolling.
Improvement: Redesign for a visually appealing layout with expanded content variety and improved navigation
Aesthetic and Minimalist Design
Issue: Lack of cohesive design language across the app.
Improvement: Standardize UI elements such as colors, typography, and spacing for a more cohesive and appealing interface.
A low-fidelity user interface refers to a simple and rough representation of a design concept, focusing the basic layout rather. It is an early stage in the design process used to quickly capture the ideas.