The Problem

The current York University bookstore website provides a poor user experience as the features and information are disorganized, counterintuitive, and inefficient.

•  Main features were hard to locate & only accessible within deeper levels of system
•  Does not cater to specific user needs (i.e. personalized recommendations)
•  Information is presented in a monotonous and corporate tone
•  Typography lacks consistency  
•  Key information is not prioritized
•  Ineffective use of visual space

Approaching the Problem

•  Evaluated bookstore environment to devise new framework for interactive experience (AEIOU analysis)
•  Developed initial requirements for the system
•  Created use cases to demonstrate main features of system
•  Defined goals for user experience and interface

Design Goal

We wanted to expedite the process of locating course materials by synchronizing students’ existing account information (enrolled courses & required supplies). In doing so, products relevant to individual students would be prioritized as recommendations on the home screen.
 

Ideation Process

Preliminary High-Fidelity Wireframes

User Testing

•  Completed an Ethics review
•  Created consent forms for participants
•  Formed a pre-interview questionnaire
•  Wrote a script leading the user through our eight use cases
•  Created a transcript and analyzed findings using descriptive, analytic, and processed code
•  Gathered coded findings to construct a final overall list of solutions

Insights & Findings

Through the analysis of our user testings, we discovered several problems with our prototype design, stemming heavily around the language chosen resulting in a misleading navigation.

Textbook Exchange Section
Users expected the posting for the Textbook Exchange to be under said section, however we first placed it under the Sell heading. The lack of placement of an addition button in the Textbook exchange category confused the users on how to add new books. To solve this, we gave the Textbook Exchange more hierarchy in the navigation.

Account Messages
When getting to the Account page, the system did not allow the user to click on their icon to link them to their account. This made the users scroll down farther to access the account which was unnecessary. As well, we switched the icons of purchase history (originally on the top of the page) with Messages (originally on the bottom of the page), to give the messages higher priority.

Vernacular
Most confusion that occurred from our users centered around the vernacular of our navigation. For example, the Textbook exchange was previously referred to as classifieds. Students did not understand the naming convention which led to hesitation in navigating.

Visual Design

Final Design

Onboarding

Guides the user through primary features of the YorkU Bookstore App which are: syncing student account information by registering with university account, multiple options to shop and sell used items, and community features that allow you to connect with other students to get help

Sync & Shop

Connect your student account to generate personalized recommendations based on your courses and additional academic needs.

Connect & Sell

Join the buybacks community to sell your textbooks directly to other students rather than using external platforms like Facebook.

Ask & Answer

Get help with your academic work through the integrated student community forum.

Convenient &
User-Oriented

Determine the buyback value of your textbooks automatically using the built-in scanner. 

Promotional Video