Who? One member, responsible for research, ideation, interface, prototyping, and documentation.

What? AKSA: Where Art Finds Commerce – Unveiling a world of seamless transactions, vibrant exploration, and curated connections for art enthusiasts, collectors, and emerging artists alike.

When? Google UX Design Professional Certificate, Fall 2023

Where? Remote from San Francisco, CA

Facing the challenge of bridging the traditional art world with the digital age, AKSA confronted skepticism and established trust in online art transactions. Overcoming the intricacies of the conventional art market, the platform aimed to adapt to its practices and processes. The imperative to ensure security in high-value transactions was met with the implementation of robust measures, fostering a secure environment for both buyers and sellers. AKSA sought to create a comprehensive art ecosystem, seamlessly integrating features such as auctions, editorial content, event listings, and artist promotions.

The goal was to facilitate seamless art transactions, promote artists and their expressions, and become a hub for art exploration. In the pursuit of building a trusted online art space, AKSA endeavored to enrich the art community by supporting emerging talents and providing exposure to established artists. Innovation in art sales was a key focus, with the introduction of features and technologies aimed at redefining the online art auction experience. Through compelling editorial content, curated events, and interactive features, AKSA aimed to increase user engagement. Simultaneously, the platform aspired to expand its community globally, becoming a renowned destination for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Goal: Empower Alex, the emerging artist, to cultivate a thriving digital presence within the AKSA community by seamlessly showcasing a diverse portfolio, engaging with fellow artists, successfully selling artworks, and experiencing continuous artistic growth and recognition

Creating a user journey map for AKSA is instrumental in comprehending and enhancing the overall user experience for artists such as Alex. This visual representation not only outlines the stages from initial discovery to continued engagement but also unveils critical pain points and areas for improvement. By evaluating the flow of interactions, AKSA can optimize processes, improve navigation, and refine overall usability. The user journey map serves as a strategic planning tool, allowing AKSA to prioritize feature development, marketing initiatives, and community-building efforts based on the nuanced needs and preferences of users like Alex. Beyond functionality, the map captures the emotional journey of users, helping AKSA build empathy and design a platform that resonates with the aspirations, joys, and challenges of artists throughout their artistic endeavors. Continuous improvement is inherent in the process, ensuring that AKSA remains responsive to the evolving needs of its users and fosters a strong, meaningful connection between artists and the platform.

To enhance user experience, I made the options for buying and selling artwork more intuitive, aiming for a seamless user flow. Additionally, recognizing the potential complexity of selling one's heartfelt creations, I transformed the Sell page into a user-friendly guide, simplifying the process.

Link to Prototype: Click Here

After incorporating valuable user feedback gathered from the paper wireframes, I iteratively refined the homepage to extend beyond merely promoting artwork sales. The updated design now prominently showcases emerging artists, galleries, and engaging editorial articles about them. Responding to user input, I introduced a feature enabling users to track their bidding status, enhancing overall convenience for the user.

Link to Prototype: Click Here

Looking back at the AKSA project, I would make a few adjustments for a more refined user experience. Firstly, I'd prioritize diverse user testing during the wireframe phase to capture a broader range of perspectives. For the guided selling experience, I'd conduct more detailed user testing to fine-tune the feature and ensure a smoother process. Exploring additional avenues for promoting emerging artists through collaborations or partnerships could broaden the platform's reach. To enhance bid tracking, real-time notifications could be implemented for dynamic engagement. Lastly, a more in-depth analysis of mobile user behavior would inform optimizations for a seamless mobile experience. These adjustments aim to further elevate the user-centric design and overall effectiveness of the AKSA platform.

AKSA's journey is defined by a commitment to user-centric design and iterative improvement, demonstrated through a responsive approach to user feedback. Beyond its role as an art marketplace, the platform has evolved into a holistic art-centric space, actively promoting emerging artists, galleries, and delivering engaging editorial content. The redesign prioritizes an intuitive user flow, ensuring accessibility to options for buying and selling artwork, contributing to a seamless and user-friendly navigation experience. Recognizing the potential complexity of selling personal artwork, AKSA introduces a guided selling experience, offering support to users through the emotional investment involved. Bid tracking features enhance user convenience, providing transparency and responsiveness to user needs. The platform strikes a balance between commerce and community, fostering a vibrant art-centric community through forums, events, and collaborative projects. A responsive design acknowledges diverse user preferences, ensuring accessibility on mobile devices. AKSA's continuous improvement mindset underscores the importance of monitoring metrics, seeking user feedback, and evolving to meet the dynamic needs of its users. Trust and transparency are prioritized through secure transactions, guidance for selling, and bid tracking features, contributing to a positive and enriching user experience.