MIRO

Art Gallery
Virtual Tour App

Designing for social engagement

PREVIEW PROTOTYPE

CHALLENGE

One in five Americans experiences feelings of loneliness or social isolation at least once a week. Visiting a museum or art gallery has the potential to alleviate these feelings by fostering social connections and facilitating new encounters with like-minded individuals. By offering opportunities for visitors to interact with one another while exploring exhibitions, museums and galleries could attract a wider audience and create a more welcoming and engaging environment. This approach would help to dispel the perceived intimidating atmosphere often associated with these institutions, encouraging more people to visit and engage with the art on display.

SOLUTION

The art gallery virtual tour app is a comprehensive solution that offers three key functions, working together to deliver a holistic experience. Firstly, the app serves as an informative tool, enabling users to identify and learn more about the art on display. Secondly, it facilitates social connections between users, promoting engagement and discussion around the artwork. Finally, the app streamlines the ordering process at the gallery's café, allowing for a more efficient and seamless experience. By integrating these three functions, the app is able to enhance the visitor's overall experience, offering a more engaging and interactive approach to art appreciation.

My Role

UX RESEARCH AND DESIGN

RESPONSIBILITIES

USER RESEARCH, WIREFRAMING, USABILITY STUDY, LOW- / HIGH- FIDELITY PROTOTYPE

PROJECT DURATION

3 MONTHS

01 RESEARCH

The objective of the study was to investigate the evolving role of art galleries, examining factors that draw audiences to the physical space and foster repeat visits, while also exploring alternative modes of art-audience interaction.

The study hypothesized that facilitating discussion would increase visitor numbers and engagement with the gallery’s collection. To this end, it was suggested that creating an app-based forum for artwork discussion would motivate visitors to learn more about the collection and encourage repeat visits. This approach reflects a strategic and forward-thinking solution, leveraging technology to enhance the gallery experience and foster deeper engagement with art.

PAIN POINTS

HYPOTHESIS

I conducted a poll to determine why art enthusiasts visit museums and galleries infrequently. Results aligned with the hypothesis that visitors experience loneliness during their visits.

LONELINESS

People have difficulty of finding a friend with who they could visit a gallery and share the experience.

What if we could connect with other visitors that share our excitement?

LACK OF INTERACTION

The virtual environment allows us to see the art from a better perspective but doesn’t allow us to see the reactions of other visitors.

VIEWING RESTRICTIONS

The restrictions in coming closer to the art don’t allow people to see it from a different perspective.

What if we could zoom in on the details, we might be interested in seeing?

WAYS TO ENHANCE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

secondary data analysis

Respondents said that digital integration will improve the experience in art and design museums.

From 81% of respondents claimed that digitalization gives resources to access more in-depth information.

Respondents tied the participation in cultural venues as a way to feel
less stressed.

Participants wants to go to the cultural places to experience something new.

Courtesy of Culture Track and LaPlaca Cohen.

02 EARLY CONCEPTS

USER PERSONA
USER JOURNEY

STORYBOARD

The intention is to increase the viewer’s immersion in the gallery’s art by allowing them to find an art friend. I wanted the user to be able to easily switch within the app between the discussion with other visitors and the art details.