UCSC Library Redesign

How can a library interface truly serve its users?

This redesign simplifies the search for key information, offering UCSC students, faculty, and visitors an intuitive platform. Clear navigation, organized resources, and engaging visuals turn usability into a seamless experience.

Tools

Figma

FigJam

Google Docs

Trello

Timeline

January 2024-July 2024

(5 Months)

Group

3 UX Designers

Introduction

During my time as a UX intern at UC Santa Cruz, one of my key responsibilities was to redesign the library homepage. The objective was to update the design to meet modern standards while addressing user needs more effectively, creating a platform that is both intuitive and engaging.

Project Impact: I not only learned how to design and use HCI principles, I also learned about accessibility and trauma-informed design. I am eager to take this project forward in the future.

My Role

I collaborated with my team to brainstorm innovative ideas and spearheaded the initial research phase. I took the lead in transforming interview insights and user journey data into intuitive wireframes and polished high-fidelity prototypes, ensuring a seamless and user-centered design process.

No clear call-to-action.

Services like "Welcome New Students" and "Reserve a Study Room" are placed lower on the page, likely making them less noticeable.

Services are hard to find.

The homepage before redesign

Why change it?

The "Article Databases" and "Research Guides" dropdowns are visually disconnected and appear secondary without clear labeling.

Lack of sufficient layout and balance in space distribution for the hours section.

Through research, we found that Students struggled to find the right resources quickly.

    • Challenging because of the variety of patrons (undergrad, grad, faculty) – important to remember the homepage is not meant for library staff

    • Needs to be generally welcoming and inclusive and not intimidating, we have a wide variety of patrons with different needs and experiences

    • Reducing any intimidating elements – make sure people know we’re here for them (to use collections, ask questions, etc.)

    • Being able to reserve study rooms

    • Able to use UC Library Search

    • See library hours

    • Scanning 

    • Printing 

    • Vending machines 

    • Reserving study rooms 

    • Renting cameras 

    • Renting Laptops and chargers 

    • Research help

For the initial research phase, we printed out the existing homepage and asked users to locate specific resources while gathering their feedback. Our findings revealed significant gaps in usability, as many students struggled to find the resources we asked them to locate. Additionally, users provided valuable insights and suggestions, highlighting key areas for improvement and emphasizing the need for a more intuitive design.

Qick access to essential links and resources.

Clear separation between the spaces in the library through the use of tabs

Our Vision for the new homepage

Our goal is to create a user-focused library homepage that acts as a clear, organized hub for students and staff, enabling them to access resources efficiently with minimal clicks.

Qick access to essential links and resources.

Qick access to essential links and resources.

Improved readability for news, events, and services.

Validating the Vision: Testing Final Prototypes

We used the Lyssna app for first-click testing. Our test lasted approximately 7-10 minutes and consisted of 14 questions that the user needed to find on the page.

Below are some of the questions we asked.

  • Desktop: 

    • 79% clicked on the Science and Engineering tab 

    Mobile: 

    • 31% clicked on the Science and Engineering tab

    • 6 clicked on the menu icon at the top and a few clicked on the faculty services

    • Since the Hours link is in the mobile menu, this still counts as a successful task (just less efficient)

  • Desktop: 

    • 74%( 14 people)  clicked on the course reserve tab 

    • 5 people clicked on the search bar (If you know the title of the textbook that’s on reserve regular Search works well, it just doesn’t work for searching by Course Name or Instructor Name) 

    Mobile: 

    • 38% clicked on Course Reserves

    • 7 others clicked on the search bar like with Desktop

  • Desktop: 

    • Some would click on New Students, some on My Account, and others on the Search bar

    • 2 people clicked on Contact us 

    • The rest of them clicked on course reserves and the search bar (maybe we can include a guide about finding and borrowing books)

    Mobile:

    • 63% clicked on the Search Bar

    • 2 others either clicked on the Databases Tab and 2 clicked on Faculty Services

    • 1 person clicked on Welcome New Students

Project Goals and Learnings

Learnings:

  • Learned how to pitch my design and get feedback from stakeholders

  • Got hands-on experience with the end-to-end design process