UCLA Library
UCLA Library Original Homepage
Round One Clickable Prototype used for usability testing. Designed by Emmi Laakso
Round Two Clickable Prototype used for usability testing. Designed by Emmi Laakso
UCLA Library Final Homepage. Designed by Reneé Haynes
The Project
Led research in a two-phase project aimed at supporting the redesign of the UCLA library website. The purpose of phase one was to develop a better understanding of the UCLA Library website end-users and how they perceived and utilized the library website. The purpose of phase two was to use the findings of phase one to inform and deliver a revised IA (information architecture) and visual design.
The Team
Phase one: Jasmine Stammes (UX Researcher), Curt Arledge (Senior UX Designer), Liz Roknich (Data Analyst), Heather Burmester (Project Manager)
Phase two: Jasmine Stammes (UX Researcher) , Emmi Laakso (Senior UX Designer), Liz Roknich (Data Analyst), Heather Burmester (Project Manager), Renee Cagnina Haynes (Creative Designer)
The Process
Phase One
Conducted stakeholder interviews
Landscape summary of peer libraries
Analyzed website analytics
Conducted user interviews with staff, students, and faculty
Surveyed library staff
Responsibilities
Designed, moderated, and analyzed stakeholder and user interviews
Designed and analyzed surveys
Phase Two
Conducted content audit
Conducted Usability testing on a clickable prototype to evaluate IA and UI decisions
Performed treejack testing on revised site maps
Responsibilities
Supported content audit
Designed, moderated, and analyzed usability tests
Designed and analyzed treejack tests
The Findings
Phase One [Moderated Interviews]
Library website is designed for ‘information experts’ rather than ‘information seekers’
Current search functionality is optimized for information experts not information seekers
Library website content lacks direction and prioritization
Library website should have a clear ‘welcoming’ voice that matches the experience of physical library.
People use the library website to fulfill two types of information needs: research needs and functional needs.
Library end-users have developed “workaround” navigation techniques to make up for complex and confusing website navigation.
Library end-users are aware that the UCLA Library website is a wealth resources but they often struggle with the website’s page density.
Library website has a learning curve that requires acquired and/or inherited knowledge.
Phase Two [Usability Tests]
Interested in a clearly articulated advanced search options.
Interested in less dense homepage with prominent search bar.
Confused about where to find account information.
Unclear about the distinctions between resources and services.
Certain page information seems redundant.
Takeaways
Emphasize and state clearly who the end-user of the website is.
Engage stakeholders often and intentionally.
The most frequent user isn’t always the desired end-user.
Design for the novice. The expert will always find their way.