Sally’s Gallery Explorer is an art gallery and auction app packaged all-in-one! It provides users a premium browsing experience through hand selected and curated collections from talented artists all over the world. Users are encouraged to create accounts, and place bids on work they choose to pursue
Tools: Figma, Paint.net, Illustrator, PowerPoint, My Mind
Introduction
For this project, I was tasked with building an app from scratch based on a prompt selected by Sharpen. I wasn't quite sure what to name it in the beginning, but Sally came to mind. So I decided to go with that. The objective was to build an auction app that would provide users detailed renditions of artist work and the ability to schedule in person viewings before placing any bids.
This project was started in October 2021 and completed by February 2022.
My Role
Dorien Caldwell - UX Lead, UX Researcher, UX Designer
My Responsibilities
Conduct interviews and surveys
Create paper and digital wireframes
Build low/high fidelity prototypes
Produce usability studies
Be aware of accessibility
Adjust as necessary
The Issue
Users want to purchase professional art work online through a legitimate art gallery. Some users cannot find time during regular business hours to view the artwork in person.
The Possible Solution
Some of these users want an option to schedule visits to view artwork in person before placing a bids. Users also want to see detailed bios on each artist, and descriptions for each piece.
Development
Understanding the User
I created two personas to simulate who my users are and what their needs are.
User Summaries
Tim
Tim, a graphic designer, works for a large marketing firm. His job is very demanding, but he loves to visit local art galleries when he has free time. Sometimes his schedule doesn’t align well with most galleries. Tim loves the idea of a digital art gallery, especially one where he can bid and purchase art pieces. However, Tim considers himself ‘old school’ and still wants to visit in person and have more information about the artists and the work they create.
Karla
Karla, a classical artist, doesn’t mind the new age of advanced technology. She works full time as a freelance artist online. Her days are very busy, so any time away from her work means she doesn’t get paid. Karla doesn’t like meeting people in person, so having an art auction app that showcases her work is critical to her. She loves the idea of messaging potential clients right from the app itself.
Pain Points
Users cannot take time off to view artwork in person
How can artists be evaluated and screened before artwork is listed
Artist want to be paid well, how much will Sally’s Gallery Explorer take percentage wise from a sale.