Client:
Brushlife
UX Strategy
Mobile App Design
User Research
Usability Testing
Accessibility
Transforming art gallery experiences for everyone breaking down physical and temporal barriers through immersive virtual tours that make art accessible to all.
6 months • 2023
Solo UX Designer
Mobile App
360° Virtual Tours
Audio Descriptions
Favorites & Collections
The Challenge
Art should inspire everyone, but traditional galleries create barriers that prevent many from experiencing their full collections.
Limited Physical Space
Most artworks remain hidden in storage due to space constraints, preventing visitors from experiencing the full collection.
Time Constraints
Working adults struggle to visit galleries during business hours, missing out on cultural experiences entirely.
Accessibility Barriers
People with disabilities face physical and technological barriers that prevent them from fully enjoying gallery experiences.
How might we make art galleries accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities or time constraints?
Understanding Our Users
To create a solution that truly serves everyone, I started by deeply understanding the people who would benefit most from accessible art experiences.
User Research Insights
Key findings from interviews and empathy mapping
Sarah, 34
Art Enthusiast
Goals:
Experience gallery collections from home
Frustrations:
Limited gallery hours, accessibility challenges
Key Pain Points
Time constraints during business hours
Physical accessibility limitations
Limited access to archived collections
Research Methods
Interviews
8 participants
Empathy Maps
User emotions
Observations
Gallery visits
Key Insights from Research
1
Art enthusiasts are highly motivated
Users show strong interest in accessing complete collections, not just featured exhibitions.
2
Accessibility needs vary widely
From visual impairments to mobility challenges, users require diverse accessibility solutions.
3
Context matters deeply
Users want rich information about artworks, including historical context and expert insights.
The Emotional Journey
😔
Current Experience
Frustration, exclusion, missed opportunities
↓
✨
Desired Experience
Wonder, inclusion, rich cultural connection
The Design Journey
From rough sketches to polished interfaces, every iteration was guided by user feedback and accessibility principles.
Paper Wireframes
Digital Wireframes
High-Fidelity
BrushLife
Virtual Gallery Tour
Explore 360° art experiences
Explore
Design Principles That Guided Us
Accessibility First
Every design decision considered users with different abilities from the start.
Visual Hierarchy
Clear visual prioritization helps users focus on what matters most, the art.
Multiple Pathways
Different users prefer different ways to explore, we accommodated them all.
Iterative Evolution
1
Paper Sketches
Rapid ideation and concept validation
2
Digital Wireframes
Structure and flow refinement
3
High-Fidelity Prototypes
Polished interactions and visual design
Two rounds of usability testing revealed critical insights that transformed our approach to accessibility and navigation.
Usability Testing Overview
Two rounds of testing with 8 participants each
1
Round 1: Initial Testing
8 participants
Focus: Navigation & User Flow
Success Rate: 65%
Task Completion
2
Round 2: Accessibility Focus
8 participants
Focus: Accessibility & Performance
Success Rate: 92%
Task Completion
Testing Methodology
Moderated Sessions
In-person & remote testing
Task-Based Scenarios
Core user journey testing
Accessibility Testing
Screen readers & voice navigation
The Learning Journey
1
Round 1: Key Findings
1
Users want to easily see works of art
Participants struggled with the visual hierarchy, making it difficult to focus on artwork content.
"I can't tell where the main artwork is supposed to be"
- Participant #3
2
Users wanted a better way to navigate through the app
Navigation flow between screens was unclear and inconsistent.
"How do I get back to the main gallery?"
- Participant #7
3
Finding a different way to access the gallery
Users needed multiple entry points to accommodate different browsing preferences.
"I wish there were different ways to explore the collections"
- Participant #2
Impact Metrics
Navigation Success Rate
65%
Average Task Time
4.2 min
User Satisfaction
3/5
2
Round 2: Accessibility & Performance
1
The design needed to be more accessible to visual impairment
Contrast ratios and screen reader compatibility required significant improvements.
"The text is hard to read against the background"
- Participant with low vision
2
The log-in process should be fast in the design
Authentication flow needed streamlining for better user experience.
"This login takes too many steps"
- Participant #4
Accessibility Improvements Made
Increased contrast ratios to WCAG AA
Added screen reader support
Voice navigation integration
Simplified authentication flow
Final Performance
Navigation Success Rate
92%
Average Task Time
2.1 min
User Satisfaction
4.6/5
Accessibility Score
98%
The Transformation
📱
65%
Initial Success Rate
Round 1 Testing
✨
92%
Final Success Rate
After Improvements
The Solution
BrushLife emerged as a comprehensive solution that addresses every barrier we discovered, creating an inclusive art experience for all.
360° Virtual Tours
Immersive experiences that transport users directly into gallery spaces, with access to 100% of collections.
• Interactive navigation
• Archived artwork access
• High-resolution viewing
Audio Accessibility
Rich audio descriptions and voice navigation make art accessible to users with visual impairments.
• Screen reader compatible
• Voice commands
• Expert audio guides
Always Available
24/7 access means users can explore art on their schedule, removing time-based barriers completely.
• No operating hours
• Offline capabilities
• Personal collections
Core Features That Make a Difference
Personalized Experience
Save favorites, create custom tours, and get personalized recommendations
Inclusive Design
WCAG AA compliant with multiple interaction methods for different abilities
The Impact
BrushLife didn't just solve accessibility problems—it created new possibilities for how people experience and connect with art.
100%
Collection Access
Including archived works
92%
Usability Score
After iterations
24/7
Availability
No time constraints
∞
Physical Space
Virtual expansion
What This Means for Users
👩🦯
Sarah with Visual Impairment
Can now explore entire collections with rich audio descriptions and voice navigation
👨💼
Michael, Busy Professional
Enjoys gallery experiences during evenings and weekends from home
👵
Elena, Mobility Challenges
Accesses previously impossible gallery areas and archived collections
Looking Forward
Every project teaches us something new. BrushLife reinforced the power of inclusive design and iterative testing.
Key Lessons
Accessibility benefits everyone
Features designed for users with disabilities improved usability for all users
Test early and often
Two rounds of testing led to a 27-point improvement in success rates
Empathy drives innovation
Understanding user emotions led to breakthrough solutions
Next Steps
AR Integration
Augmented reality features for enhanced artwork interaction
AI Personalization
Smart recommendations based on user preferences and behavior
Social Features
Community sharing and discussion capabilities
Ready to Create Inclusive Experiences?
BrushLife demonstrates how thoughtful design research and iterative testing can create solutions that truly serve everyone. Let's discuss how we can apply these principles to your next project.
