Playbook
UX Case Study
An audiobook is a recorded version of a book or other written work that is typically narrated by a voice actor or the author themselves. The basic idea of an audiobook is to provide an alternative way to consume written content, allowing listeners to "read" a book while engaging in other activities such as driving, working out, or performing household tasks.
Playbook
UX Case Study
An audiobook is a recorded version of a book or other written work that is typically narrated by a voice actor or the author themselves. The basic idea of an audiobook is to provide an alternative way to consume written content, allowing listeners to "read" a book while engaging in other activities such as driving, working out, or performing household tasks.
Playbook
UX Case Study
An audiobook is a recorded version of a book or other written work that is typically narrated by a voice actor or the author themselves. The basic idea of an audiobook is to provide an alternative way to consume written content, allowing listeners to "read" a book while engaging in other activities such as driving, working out, or performing household tasks.
Playbook
UX Case Study
An audiobook is a recorded version of a book or other written work that is typically narrated by a voice actor or the author themselves. The basic idea of an audiobook is to provide an alternative way to consume written content, allowing listeners to "read" a book while engaging in other activities such as driving, working out, or performing household tasks.
Playbook
UX Case Study
An audiobook is a recorded version of a book or other written work that is typically narrated by a voice actor or the author themselves. The basic idea of an audiobook is to provide an alternative way to consume written content, allowing listeners to "read" a book while engaging in other activities such as driving, working out, or performing household tasks.
Overview
Playbook is a digital book app service that provides a vast number of eBooks and audiobooks. The app allows users exploit the extensive library of books by personalizing each experience.
Playbook is a digital book app service that provides a vast number of eBooks and audiobooks. The app allows users exploit the extensive library of books by personalizing each experience.
How it began
In the beginning, I had a desire to read a book on a Thursday morning, but I found myself lacking the luxury of time to sit down and spend hours flipping through pages. As an avid reader, I began searching for mobile apps that offered the flexibility of allowing me to listen as well as read books, with the added requirement of being free of charge.
My first encounter was with Audible, an audiobook and podcast app developed by Amazon. This user-friendly app boasts a vast catalog of old and new audiobooks. However, it did not meet my criteria as it required a yearly subscription plan. Consequently, I continued my search.
In the beginning, I had a desire to read a book on a Thursday morning, but I found myself lacking the luxury of time to sit down and spend hours flipping through pages. As an avid reader, I began searching for mobile apps that offered the flexibility of allowing me to listen as well as read books, with the added requirement of being free of charge.
My first encounter was with Audible, an audiobook and podcast app developed by Amazon. This user-friendly app boasts a vast catalog of old and new audiobooks. However, it did not meet my criteria as it required a yearly subscription plan. Consequently, I continued my search.
Librivox
Returning to the App Store on my phone, I eventually stumbled upon LibriVox, which boasts one of the largest audiobook catalogs I have ever seen, and provides a platform for volunteers to read books that are added to the public domain. I was elated to have found what I was looking for, but the app's user-friendliness was lacking. The visual design was cluttered and unappealing, despite a clear effort to prioritize user-experience.
Returning to the App Store on my phone, I eventually stumbled upon LibriVox, which boasts one of the largest audiobook catalogs I have ever seen, and provides a platform for volunteers to read books that are added to the public domain. I was elated to have found what I was looking for, but the app's user-friendliness was lacking. The visual design was cluttered and unappealing, despite a clear effort to prioritize user-experience.
The Challenge
Recognizing the need for improvement, I undertook the challenge of redesigning and rebranding the app to create a more modern and user-friendly experience. Thus, the birth of Playbook was born.
Recognizing the need for improvement, I undertook the challenge of redesigning and rebranding the app to create a more modern and user-friendly experience. Thus, the birth of Playbook was born.
Understanding the study
Problem Statement
Despite the growing popularity of audiobooks, many users still struggle to find a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that allows them to easily access and listen to a wide range of audiobooks, as well as exploit eBooks. Many existing audiobook apps only offer a limited selection of audiobooks and lack features such as the ability to read along with the audiobook or switch between different formats such as eBooks.
Despite the growing popularity of audiobooks, many users still struggle to find a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that allows them to easily access and listen to a wide range of audiobooks, as well as exploit eBooks. Many existing audiobook apps only offer a limited selection of audiobooks and lack features such as the ability to read along with the audiobook or switch between different formats such as eBooks.
The Goal:
It's Librivox but better
The goal of the app is to design a user-friendly, easy-to-use interface that allows users to quickly search for and find the audiobook or eBook they're looking for. Additionally, the app would offer features such as the ability to read along with the audiobook and switch between different formats, as well as personalization options such as bookmarking, and highlighting.
The goal of the app is to design a user-friendly, easy-to-use interface that allows users to quickly search for and find the audiobook or eBook they're looking for. Additionally, the app would offer features such as the ability to read along with the audiobook and switch between different formats, as well as personalization options such as bookmarking, and highlighting.
Enhanced Librivox
Apart from rebranding/renaming and optimizing the user interface, this app would improve the listening and reading experience for audiobook and eBook enthusiasts and listening by providing them with a one-stop-shop for all their audiobook and eBook needs, and by making it easy for them to discover new and interesting titles.
Apart from rebranding/renaming and optimizing the user interface, this app would improve the listening and reading experience for audiobook and eBook enthusiasts and listening by providing them with a one-stop-shop for all their audiobook and eBook needs, and by making it easy for them to discover new and interesting titles.
Competitor landscape
Audible
Two audiobook apps were sampled. I compared the listening experience for the apps and tried to make deductions. I also sampled comments from the app store Audible
Two audiobook apps were sampled. I compared the listening experience for the apps and tried to make deductions. I also sampled comments from the app store Audible
Librivox
Two audiobook apps were sampled. I compared the listening experience for the apps and tried to make deductions. I also sampled comments from the app store Librivox
Two audiobook apps were sampled. I compared the listening experience for the apps and tried to make deductions. I also sampled comments from the app store Librivox
Personas
V's
To gain insights, I created two archetypes whose goals and characteristics represent the needs of a larger group of users.
To gain insights, I created two archetypes whose goals and characteristics represent the needs of a larger group of users.
Flow
Task
A simple user for a user who wants to listen to an audiobook in the app by going through the registration process.
A simple user for a user who wants to listen to an audiobook in the app by going through the registration process.
Wireframes
Mid-Fid
I drew wireframes for the project but will only share major screens.
I drew wireframes for the project but will only share major screens.
Hi-Fid Prototypes
Hi-Fi
I turned the mid-fidelity into high fidelity prototypes and made it look more pleasing.
I turned the mid-fidelity into high fidelity prototypes and made it look more pleasing.
Hi-Fid Prototypes
Onboarding
As I iterated on the design, I paid close attention to details such as typography, color, and layout. I made sure that the design was aesthetically pleasing while also being functional and intuitive for the user.
Users are treated to a smooth onboarding process
As I iterated on the design, I paid close attention to details such as typography, color, and layout. I made sure that the design was aesthetically pleasing while also being functional and intuitive for the user.
Users are treated to a smooth onboarding process
Registration
There are a plethora of choices for registration i.e Google, Apple
Phone, Mobile number.
There are a plethora of choices for registration i.e Google, Apple, Mobile number and E-mail.
Interests (Genres) & Profile
Users can pick audiobooks genres that is of interest to them
Users can pick audiobooks genres that is of interest to them
Home
On passing through the onboarding phase, the user arrives at the
Homepage where they can sample audiobooks, explore
catalogues, libraries and many more
On passing through the onboarding phase, the user arrives at the Homepage where they can sample audiobooks, explore catalogues, libraries and many more.
Catalogue
The user can explore a vast number of audiobooks.
The user can explore a vast number of audiobooks.
Library
The user can check their personalized library for audiobooks in the shelves, by title, readers, genres, newly added etc.
The user can check their personalized library for audiobooks in the shelves, by title, readers, genres, newly added etc.
Profile
The user can update their profile and edit preferences
The user can update their profile and edit preferences
Other Screens
Other screens in the design study
Other screens in the design study
Pop-ups
Overlays used in the app
Overlays used in the app
Testing
Heat maps
After going through the design process and design the high-fidelity prototype, I tested the app on Useberry to understand how an end-user would use the app i.e heat maps, misclicks etc.
I tested several screens including the onboarding, audiobook desc. page, audiobook player, homepage showing different click area stats.
Average time: 45.5secs
Total clicks: 55
Misclicks rate: 84%
After going through the design process and design the high-fidelity prototype, I tested the app on Useberry to understand how an end-user would use the app i.e heat maps, misclicks etc.
I tested several screens including the onboarding, audiobook desc. page, audiobook player, homepage showing different click area stats.
Average time: 45.5secs
Total clicks: 55
Misclicks rate: 84%
What it means...
The total number of people who finished the study clocked at 56% (5 users). The total number of users who dropped off clocked at 44% (4 users) and the overall average time spent on the test clocked at 1m 52.5s.
The total number of people who finished the study clocked at 56% (5 users). The total number of users who dropped off clocked at 44% (4 users) and the overall average time spent on the test clocked at 1m 52.5s.
Future iterations
To optimize these numbers and get a better result, I will focus more on the interaction design of the app.
To optimize these numbers and get a better result, I will focus more on the interaction design of the app.
