Jim Thorpe Online
Architectural Archive :
UX/UI Concept :
University of Michigan
UX Capstone
Coursera
My Role :
Concept, Research, Personas, Storyboards, Scenarios, Wireframes, UI Design, and Prototypes
Project Duration :
6 weeks
Design Problem :
Jim Thorpe, nestled in Eastern Pennsylvania, is renowned for its historical charm and scenic beauty. However, preserving the town's architectural heritage poses a challenge. Currently, obtaining detailed architectural information requires physical visits to the town and manual searches in the local library. Tours and online resources lack comprehensive architectural insights, focusing more on historical aspects. With limited resources, including watercolor depictions available for purchase at the library, there's a risk of losing crucial details vital for restoration.
Without a centralized architectural archive, the town's details may fade over time, hindering preservation efforts. The need for an accessible archive is crucial for efficient preservation and broadening enthusiasts' knowledge.
.png){kind=small}
Project Process :
Discover :
-
Define Target Users and pain points
-
Desk Research
-
Semi-Structured Interviews
Define + Development :
-
Develop Personas, Scenarios and Storyboards
-
Wireframes
-
Mid-Fi Prototypes
-
Heuristic Evaluation
Ideate :
-
High-Fi prototypes
-
UI Design
-
Final UX Report
Discover Phase :
Target Users :
-
Individuals conducting research on the town or locals seeking information about various places within the town.
-
Those intrigued by Jim Thorpe's history or individuals planning a visit to the town and seeking recommendations for places to explore during their stay.
User Pain Points :
-
There is currently no centralized source for architectural information on Jim Thorpe .
-
Tours provide minimal architectural information and predominantly focus on the historical events and details of the buildings.
-
Information about the historic buildings in town is scattered across various sources, requiring individuals to consult multiple references.
-
Publicly available information on architecture is lacking, and the majority of the public is unaware of this gap.
Those seeking architectural details in town currently encounter the challenge of physically visiting each building or spending hours in the local library without guaranteed success. Existing tours often prioritize building history over architectural insights, necessitating further external research. To bridge this gap, I am working on creating an online architectural archive, providing a centralized resource rich in details for researchers, architectural preservationists, and those interested in a comprehensive understanding of the town's architectural heritage.
Needs Findings Study Plan :
High Level Study Goals :
This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of how individuals with an interest in Jim Thorpe's architectural history discover information about buildings in the area. The focus is on whether users can locate this information through online resources or if they frequently resort to reaching out via phone calls or visiting buildings in town. Additionally, the study seeks to investigate current methods employed by users in finding this information and how they navigate the web to access relevant details.
Key Questions :
-
How are people finding information on Jim Thorpe’s architecture?
-
How long are people spending searching for bits of information?
-
What do people struggle with when looking for this information?
-
What types of information on buildings in the area effect the way they choose to search for said information?
Semi- Structured Interviews :
Recruiting Criteria and Plans :
Criteria :
-
Anyone interested in architecture or has a background in architectural research.
-
Students in the architectural preservation field/ architectural researcher.
-
Local resident of Jim Thorpe that wants to learn more about their town.
-
Those interested in architectural history.
Strategy :
I planned to create a survey and distribute it to local architecture groups and forums to identify individuals who met the criteria and were interested in participating in the survey. Information was also left at various locations, including the local library and Jim Thorpe pages like their Facebook page and community forum, to attract locals interested in the architecture of the area. The survey included questions related to research techniques to understand how people initiated research and identified challenges in the architectural research process.
This study examined the current practices of individuals engaged in architectural research and explored the potential benefits of establishing an online architectural archive for the town of Jim Thorpe. Presently, the town boasts an array of exquisite architectural structures, yet documentation is limited to specific locations or guided tours. Through conducted interviews, insights were gathered to understand the potential advantages of the proposed architectural archive for both individuals in the architecture field and enthusiasts of Jim Thorpe's history. These interviews played a crucial role in comprehending the current needs and practices of the target user groups. The following information was derived from these interviews:
Interview Results :
Current User Practices :
-
Those interested in the town’s architecture take tours set up by locals for specific buildings but not all buildings have guided tours.
-
Most information on the town’s architecture is collected online through each building's website.
-
Most information people are able to collect is historical events that happened in the building rather than specific information on the building.
-
The only book on the towns architectural information as of right now is a collection of watercolors done by an architect, Ed Benjamin, that is available for purchase at the local library.
User Needs :
-
Users seek easily accessible architectural archives to aid in preserving and understanding construction processes in historically significant towns.
-
A centralized platform is desired by individuals interested in the town's buildings for comprehensive information gathering.
-
There is a user demand for an architectural history collective that caters to the learning needs of both residents and tourists.
-
Residents of Jim Thorpe express a need for prioritizing architectural preservation efforts to safeguard and maintain the existing buildings in town.
Functional Requirements :
-
The system must be easy to use for both those experienced in architectural knowledge as well as for locals interested in the topic.
-
The system should have a collaborative space where people can post upcoming history events or gatherings.
-
There should be a place where people can leave bits of information or newly discovered information.
-
A self guided tour section could be beneficial for those visiting the town and looking forward to the interesting architecture there.
Constraints :
-
The system should be accessible to the public, and should not be overly complicated to new users.
-
The system needs someone to check in to see if anyone submitted new information frequently enough so information is not outdated.
-
Since the public can interact on the site to notify users of updates it needs to be monitored so no one takes advantage of the public platform.
-
The system must be accessible from both a computer and a mobile device.
Based on the gathered information, I successfully developed a series of personas, scenarios, and storyboards to enhance my understanding and empathy towards the users.
Define + Development Phase :
User Personas :
Sophie Robertson
Age : 27
Occupation : Architecture Preservationist
Location : Philadelphia, PA
Life Stage : Been in their career a few years
Motivators :
-
Professional Success
-
Make research faster for projects.
-
Not have to rely on physical copies for research and have online resources.
-
Have access to information at all times.
-
Wants an online resource they can easily shift through rather than spending extensive time in an archive.
Constraints :
-
Needs a quick and reliable app that contains a lot of information.
-
High Technical Literacy
Needing to confirm information with clients. -
Clients could give conflicting information to archive research.
Wendell Logan
Age : 62
Occupation : Retired
Location : Jim Thorpe, PA
Life Stage : Enjoying Retirement
Motivators :
-
Exploring a new area of research.
-
Wants to explore the town he retired in.
-
Wants to get involved in his new community.
-
They want to be able to show his family around town when they visit.
Constraints :
-
Mediocre Technical Literacy
-
Has a harder time learning new things.
-
Prefers finding information through a book or through tours rather than online.
Scenarios :
Scenario 1 :
Sophie is beginning her new project in the small town of Jim Thorpe. As she arrives she notices the small down charm and beautiful details in the town's architecture. Her client wants to bring the exterior of the home back to its original condition. The home is painted a modern white and looks like some of the original details were removed. Sophie sees that the hours at the local archive are limited this week and can’t spend a lot of time there with her schedule. She goes online and notices that Jim Thorpe has an online archive with information, photos and videos of the town's architectural history. She searches the address of the home and is able to find photos of the street that include photos of the home. She notices the home originally had an ornate cornice and different shutters than the home has now as well as a medallion over the front door. She also finds a detailed passage about the street describing the home's colors. She brings the information she found about the home to the client and it turns out the medallion was in the basement and they had never known why it was there. She is looking forward to the project and is excited she was able to find this information for her client with such ease.
Scenario 2 :
Wendell has recently retired after working in the engineering field for 35 years. He and his partner had visited Jim Thorpe during a film festival and completely fell in love with it. They knew from that time they would love to retire there one day. He had always had a love for architecture and was interested in learning more about the town. He went to the local library where they told him about the self guided tour available through the town’s online architectural archive. He was thrilled that he was able to print the tour out at home even though it was available on his phone. He took his partner around town and they were able to appreciate the architecture around them and also learn a lot about the town's history. They were looking forward to showing their family around on their next visit. When they got back home they were able to see what tours were available for the Asa Packer Mansion so they could go some time this week. They both are looking forward to their time at Jim Thorpe and are embracing their new surroundings.
Storyboards :
Wireframes :
User Testing for Mid- Fidelity Prototype :
User Testing Goals:
The Goal of this User Test is to answer the following questions :
-
Can user’s easily research architecture of Jim Thorpe on this website?
-
Do user’s enjoy the features available for research?
-
What issues do user’s face while using the website?
-
Do user’s find the website easy/convenient to navigate?
-
Do user’s need more features to aid in their research?
Testing and Heuristic Evaluation Outcomes:
To enhance the overall design for the final website, I must prioritize the creation of a distinctive logo for the architecture archive, ensuring a recognizable brand identity. It is crucial to refine the interaction between pages for a seamless user experience and update language in specific sections for clarity and relevance. Additionally, the implementation of clear and user-friendly menus on each page is essential to address the current site's dated appearance and lack of visual appeal. Lastly, simplifying elements is necessary to reduce visual clutter, creating a more streamlined and engaging experience for participants.
Click Here for link to the Mid-Fidelity Prototype created with Figma:
Updated Wireframes :
I revisited my design to implement the updates.
Ideate Phase :
UI Design :
Easy To Navigate, Professional, Historic
Color Palette :
#BDAA6F
#E4A37F
#C74748
#EBCC9C
#563D2A
#D5A565
Typography :
Final Design + Prototype :
.jpeg)
Through deliberate design choices, I've created an online architectural archive for Jim Thorpe that offers users seamless access. This archive serves as a valuable resource for preserving and comprehending the construction methods and history of structures in town. Key features include a user-friendly search function that enables effortless navigation through architectural information. By centralizing this platform, I've met users' desires for comprehensive details on the town's buildings, fostering exploration and understanding. Additionally, the establishment of an architectural history collective caters to both residents and tourists, promoting a shared appreciation of Jim Thorpe's architectural heritage. This platform also provides access to local architectural history events and serves as a dedicated space for information gathering. Importantly, my design prioritizes architectural preservation efforts, aligning with the community's expressed need to safeguard and maintain the town's existing buildings.
