Project
Dog Ear
Industry
Education
Role
UX/UI Designer
Date
Dec. 23'-Nov. 24"
Dog Ear
Dog Ear
Dog Ear
Encouraging kids to develop a
passion for reading through fun
engagement and independent
discovery! Together with public
libraries, Dog Ear aims to empower
young readers and improve literacy.
Encouraging kids to develop a passion for reading through fun engagement and independent discovery! Together with public libraries, Dog Ear aims to empower young readers and improve literacy.
Encouraging kids to develop a passion for reading through fun engagement and independent discovery! Together with public libraries, Dog Ear aims to empower young readers and improve literacy.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we encourage young readers to confidently explore their public libraries so they can discover books that empower them to grow from passive readers to avid readers?
How might we encourage
young readers to confidently
explore their public libraries by developing a digital solution that effectively bridges communication between families and its institutions?
OJECTIVES FOR USER PAIN POINTS
• Develop a convenient digital system to browse books for kids struggling to navigate their library.
• Create a gamified user interface to engage the young reluctant reader.
• Integrate parental authorization so young readers can rent books independently, confidently, and safely.
• Develop a convenient digital system to browse books for kids struggling to navigate their library.
• Create a gamified user interface to engage the young reluctant reader.
• Integrate parental authorization so young readers can rent books independently, confidently, and safely.
Key Task Flow #1
Key Task Flow #1
Book Rental. Young readers can browse and rent up to five library books and earn stars. After confirming the rentals, users are prompted to parental authorization.
Book Rental. Young readers can browse and rent up to five library books and earn stars. After confirming the rentals, users are prompted to parental authorization.
Key Task Flow #2
Key Task Flow #2
Parent Authorization. To complete the book rentals process users must have parental authorization via SMS code. After verification a QR code is generated for pickup.
Parent Authorization. To complete the book rentals process users must have parental authorization via SMS code. After verification a QR code is generated for pickup.
End-to-End Process
End-to-End Process
INSIGHT
INSIGHT
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
I analyzed four leading companies specific to literacy and the book publishing industry. All of which offered a similar service in providing books for young readers. However, there exists a clear need for a digital solution that provided both the convenience of direct messaging as well as an engaging hub for school resources.
I analyzed four leading companies specific to literacy and the book publishing industry. All of which offered a similar service in providing books for readers. However, there exists a clear need for a digital solution specific to captivating young readers.
User Interviews
User Interviews
I conducted interviews with 6 participants all invested in the book industry. Ranging from librarians, teachers, authors, editors, and parents. Consistent pain points expressed were competing with screen time and struggling to discover books that aligned with their interests.
I conducted interviews with 6 participants all invested in the book industry. Ranging from librarians, teachers, authors, editors, and parents. Consistent pain points expressed were competing with screen time and struggling to discover books that aligned with their interests.
Barbara P.
Local Librarian
"Kids need a visual system of organizing books that are more understandable for them."
Patricia H.
School Librarian
" Its imperative for libraries to keep up with technology to encourage young readers to discover books."
Allison C.
Kids Book Editor, Parent
"Libraries should offer more filtering options, otherwise young readers are browsing aimlessly."
Valerie H.
Parent, Teacher
"Bright colors, visual cues, and game features could redirect kids attention back to books."
Dr. Kate D.
Teacher, Reading Specialist
"Libraries need features to encourage young
people to discover the books they are interested in."
Amanda Z.
Avid Reader, Parent
"Young readers need methods to explore libraries with more confidence and independence."
Barbara P.
Local Librarian
"Kids need a visual system of organizing books that are more understandable for them."
Patricia H.
School Librarian
" Its imperative for libraries to keep up with technology to encourage young readers to discover books."
Allison C.
Kids Book Editor, Parent
"Libraries should offer more filtering options, otherwise young readers are browsing aimlessly."
Valerie H.
Parent, Teacher
"Bright colors, visual cues, and game features could redirect kids attention back to books."
Dr. Kate D.
Teacher, Reading Specialist
"Libraries need features to encourage young
people to discover the books they are interested in."
Amanda Z.
Avid Reader, Parent
"Young readers need methods to explore libraries with more confidence and independence."
Barbara P.
Local Librarian
"Kids need a visual system of organizing books that are more understandable for them."
Patricia H.
School Librarian
" Its imperative for libraries to keep up with technology to encourage young readers to discover books."
Allison C.
Kids Book Editor, Parent
"Libraries should offer more filtering options, otherwise young readers are browsing aimlessly."
Valerie H.
Parent, Teacher
"Bright colors, visual cues, and game features could redirect kids attention back to books."
Dr. Kate D.
Teacher, Reading Specialist
"Libraries need features to encourage young
people to discover the books they are interested in."
Amanda Z.
Avid Reader, Parent
"Young readers need methods to explore libraries with more confidence and independence."
Target Audience
Target Audience
I developed two personas based on the insight gathered during the competitive analysis and user interviews. Though different in personality both personas represent real users that face similar challenges and goals.
I developed two personas based on the insight gathered during the competitive analysis and user interviews. Though different in personality both personas represent real users that face similar challenges and goals.
Phillip "The Timid Reader"
Phillip "The Timid Reader"
A six year old kindergartner who just learned to read. Philip has a natural interest in books. However, he currently doesn’t have the skills to confidently discover books independently.
A six year old kindergartner who just learned to read. Philip has a natural interest in books. However, he currently doesn’t have the skills to confidently discover books independently.
GOALS
Discover books aligned with personal interests.
Discover books aligned with personal interests.
CHALLENGES
Effectively navigate the array of library books.
Effectively navigate the array of library books.
MOTIVATION
Personal interest and literacy progression.
Personal interest and literacy progression.
Izzy "The Reluctant Reader"
Izzy "The Reluctant Reader"
A seven year old first grader who struggles with reading. Izzy doesn’t’ express much interest in reading and is easily distracted by other activities.
A seven year old first grader who struggles with reading. Izzy doesn’t’ express much interest in reading and is easily distracted by other activities.
GOALS
Develop a genuine interest in reading.
Develop a genuine interest in reading.
CHALLENGES
Discover books that really interest them.
Discover books that really interest them.
MOTIVATION
Stay on pace and improve their reading skills.
Stay on pace and improve their reading skills.
Affinity Map
Affinity Map
I synthesized the participant feedback I received into groupings to determine key features essential for our product.
I synthesized the participant feedback I received into groupings to determine key features essential for our product.
Key Features
Key Features
I focused on the following features to directly solve the users key goals of: Achieving a clear system of curating books for discoverability . And successfully adding gamification features to engage young readers. Finally, include parental controls to ensure all users navigate the app with confidence and security.
I focused on the following features to directly solve the users key goals of: Achieving a clear system of curating books for discoverability. Successfully adding gamification features to engage young readers. Include parental controls to ensure all users navigate the app with confidence and security.
Shop/Rent
Shop/Rent
Gamification
Gamification
Parental Controls
Parental Controls
EXPLORATION
EXPLORATION
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
The sitemap reflects a balance on the needs of schools as well as families. It clearly illustrates essential paths to key features for its target audience.
The sitemap reflects a balance on the needs of young readers and parents. It clearly illustrates essential paths to key features for its target audience.
Task Flows
Task Flows
Flow #1 guides the user through the process of browsing available library books and adding to their rentals.
Flow #2 guides the user to handoff to a parent for parental verification to complete the library rental process.
Flow #1 guides the user through the process of browsing available library books and adding to their rentals.
Flow #2 guides the user to handoff to a parent for parental verification to complete the library rental process.
Branding
Branding
The branding was conceptualized to evoke a fun and educational tone. The dog is the mascot that is eager to listen and learn. Also, "dog ear" refers to the folding down of a page as a bookmark.
The branding was conceptualized to evoke a fun and educational tone. The dog is the mascot that is eager to listen and learn. Also, "dog ear" refers to the folding down of a page as a bookmark.
UI Kit
UI Kit
The UI Kit reinforced the concept of creating a cohesive as well as playful aesthetic fitting for an educational platform.
The UI Kit reinforced the concept of creating a cohesive as well as playful aesthetic fitting for an educational platform.
Lo-Fi Wireframes
Lo-Fi Wireframes
Lo-Fi wireframes focus on the the key task flows of the book browsing and the parental verification process.
Lo-Fi wireframes focus on the the key task flows of the book browsing and the parental verification process.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Hi-Fi wireframes showcase a more developed UI vision based on the developed branding style. Also, it includes insightful iterations based on the feedback received from user testing conducted by actual kids.
Hi-Fi wireframes showcase a more developed UI vision based on the developed branding style. Also, it includes insightful iterations based on the feedback received from user testing conducted by actual kids.
Revisions
Revisions
Iteration #1
Iteration #1
Original Version
Original Version
The "+" button is unclear of it's being added to.
The purpose of "+" is unclear to the user.
Final Version
Final Version
The revised button clearly indicates its purpose.
The revised button now clearly indicates its purpose.
Iteration #2
Iteration #2
Original Version
Original Version
The confirmation page is unresolved and doesn't prompt the user forward.
The confirmation page is unresolved and doesn't prompt the user forward.
Final Version
Final Version
The revised page reveals stars earns and includes a button to move the user along.
The revised page reveals stars earns and includes a button to move the user along.
Iteration #3
Iteration #3
Original Version
Original Version
The approval page didn't integrate a clear and secure verification process.
The approval page didn't integrate a clear and secure verification process.
