“The Gallerist”: An innovative online auction app designed to transform the art and collectibles buying experience.
OVERVIEW
The Gallerist is an innovative online auction app designed to transform the art and collectibles buying experience. It caters to art enthusiasts, collectors, and casual buyers, offering a seamless, engaging, and user-friendly platform for discovering, bidding on, and purchasing unique artworks and collectibles. This project aimed to emphasize transparency, ease of use, and interactive features.
User Research
UX Design
Visual Design
Animation Prototyping
Solo Designer
Figma
Miro
Adobe Creative Suite
Independent Project
6 weeks
TEAM
ROLE
TYPE & TIMELINE
TOOLS
The problem
Traditional auction systems are often intimidating and inaccessible to many potential buyers, lacking transparency and user-friendly interfaces. The goal was to design an app that democratizes the auction process, making it accessible, transparent, and engaging for a diverse range of users.
RESEARCH
Market reasearch
Method : competitive analysis, market trends observations.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
The market includes a mix of large, general online auction platforms like eBay and specialized art auction platforms like Artsy, Christie's, and Sotheby's online portals.
These platforms vary in their focus, with some catering to high-end art collectors and others targeting a broader audience.
While larger platforms have the advantage of brand recognition and a wide audience, smaller platforms often offer a more curated and personalized experience.
Platforms differentiate themselves through user experience, authenticity guarantees, customer service, and niche specializations.
GAPS & OPPORTUNITIES
There is a growing demand for platforms that can balance the need for trust and authenticity with a user-friendly and engaging online experience.
Opportunities exist to cater to niche segments, such as emerging artists, specific art styles, or regional art markets.
More interest in sustainable and socially responsible art, presenting an opportunity for platforms advocating these values.
Advanced technologies like AR/VR for virtual art viewing, blockchain for authenticity verification, and AI for personalized recommendations are becoming increasingly important in the online art market.
Mobile apps are gaining popularity for their convenience and ability to provide a more engaging and interactive buying experience.
Target audience
Method : Contextual inquiry, user personas, user journey mapping
Seasoned Art Collectors
Individuals with a deep appreciation for art and a keen interest in expanding their private collections. They value authenticity, provenance, and are often looking for rare or specific pieces.
Art Enthusiasts
Individuals who enjoy staying informed about the art world and may occasionally purchase artworks. They appreciate platforms that offer rich content and insights into the art scene.
New Art Buyers
Younger, digitally-savvy individuals who are beginning to explore the world of art collecting. They seek a user-friendly platform that educates and guides them through the process.
DEFINING GOALS
Challenges & Solutions
Method : Empathy maps, user stories, information architecture
Make auction processes less intimidating and more approachable.
1
Simplify the bidding process with a clear, step-by-step guide. Use engaging tutorials or interactive walkthroughs to familiarize users with auction terms and procedures.
Address the lack of transparency in auction systems.
2
Implement a transparent bidding system where users can easily see bid histories and item provenance. Include detailed item descriptions and condition reports. Offer real-time customer support for inquiries and concerns.
Simplify the experience to manage the overwhelming amount of information.
3
Implement a personalized dashboard that curates items based on the user's interests and previous bidding history. Use simple, clear categories and filters to help users navigate through the items easily.
IDEATION & CONCEPTUALIZATION
Method : Crazy eights, sketching, wireframing.
Key wireframes
Prototyping and iterating
Method : Usability testing, A/B testing, feedback and iterations.
A better solution for an engaging bidding process.
After testing and iterating on the design of the app it became clear that the bidding was not as intuitive and interactive as it should have been.
To allow for a more transparent and engaging bidding process I split the overlay that was used to place a bid into three full pages. I added clearer instructions and an option to view or participate in the live auctions.
The live happens on a different page, reducing the the clutter on the initial auction page.
Adding interactions in the live part of the auction was also a great way to engage the user to watch and participate in the auctions.
FINAL DESIGNS
ONBOARDING
The app features a personalized onboarding experience designed to guide users seamlessly into the world of art auctions. Through a series of tailored prompts and interactive tutorials, users are introduced to key features and functionalities, ensuring they feel confident navigating the platform from the start.
HOME PAGE
The homepage showcases curated collections of featured art pieces, trending artists, and upcoming auctions. Personalized recommendations cater to the users’ unique tastes, while real-time updates keep them informed of bidding activity.
ART AND ARTIST PAGES
Here, the users can explore an extensive collection of artworks, each accompanied by comprehensive information including descriptions, provenance, conditions, and bidding prices. They can also engage with their favorite pieces by liking them, or follow their preferred artists to stay updated on their latest works, and seamlessly enter auctions to bid on coveted items.
INTERACTIVE AUCTIONS
Through the app’s interactive auction flow, user can experience real-time bidding on a diverse range of art and collectibles. They can explore upcoming auctions, look into detailed item descriptions, and review bidding prices to make informed decisions. Participating in auctions is made easy with simple bidding interfaces, clear informations and convenient options to track favorites.
Key takeaways & future directions
Looking ahead, potential future directions include incorporating augmented reality (AR) technology to allow users to visualize artworks in their space before purchasing and expanding the range of collectibles.