GA Immersive Personal Redesign Case Study — Unnameable Books
Introduction
For my initial project, I selected a local bookstore whose website…well, I thought the design could use a second look.
Brief
My intro images focused on the importance to the neighborhood and me personally-a local treasure with a terrible website.
On the plus side, the website is the 1st result when you google the phrase unnameable books. Here’s what I thought could be better:
1–2. Home page: location and map are at the top followed by three images of the same photo for gift certificates. There is no search bar.
3. There’s a link to an empty Instagram page in the menu.
4. The store has charming categories such as “Rare and Medium Rare” in the “shop all” drop-down, but it’s hard to find what’s in stock.
5. The listings aren’t alphabetized. The books are cropped to a square format often cutting off either the author’s name or title.
6. Most listings don’t have a description.
7–8. The events listing links to a rough and dated-looking blog spot. The location isn’t listed and it doesn’t link back to the website.
The URL is unnameable books.square.site, the page header is called My Site.
Research
While I had strong opinions on how to fix the site, I needed to do some research. What I found is that people are incredibly passionate about their reading choices and how they get them. And while they prefer independent bookstores, it’s more convenient to shop online.
Define
Synthesizing my research, I created the persona, Megan.
My initial problem statement, although the feedback was that it was a series of scenarios than a problem statement. Maybe I should revise it to:
Unnameable Books website makes it difficult to find and purchase inventory, promote events, and contact the store. How I make the shopping experience easier and more effectively connect with customers?
Ideate
Four people from diverse backs participated in my ideation session. Contrary to what I thought the problem was– non-website solutions–such as calling or emailing the store or posting a poster in the window–proved popular.
My feedback from the ideation sessions led me to focus on the primary role: a local independent bookstore valued in its community.
Solution
My feedback from the ideation sessions led me to focus on the store's primary role: a local independent bookstore that is valued in its community.
My user flows and wireframes were based on what the customer needs most: to connect with the store and to find what they want, even if it’s just the browse the stacks and see what's on offer.
Takeaways and Next Steps
My next step is to create mid-fidelity wireframes and a single user flow.
