Blue Caban~CV~

ART HOUSE

A gallery in the palm of your hand.

Prototype - Click Me!

The Problem ~

Accessibility to the arts has always been prohibitive. The unique art object is difficult to become exposed to by virtue of its singular nature. The challenges and conditions of in-person viewing are many. The means by which Art is experienced today is almost entirely through digital reproduction. The problem is despite the means there is no cohesive digital catalog to allow for discovery accessibility to an otherwise opaque art world.

Hypothesis - Representation

First Attempt

What if there was a way to discover new artists and have access to a gallery in the palm of your hand? What if you could personalize and share that gallery? It can be difficult to find something new through a search engine unless you know what you're looking for and if you're at the mercy of the infinite scroll it's difficult to control your experience. Especially during the Covid-19 lockdown with cultural centers closed many galleries and art fairs switched to virtual events.

Respect To The Giants - Artist Pages

Something New - Made For You

Back To The Drawing Board

When I think of a gallery I usually think of a white cube. A blank scientific slide upon which the various subtle aesthetic delights will have maximum contrast and just POP. For the screen however I started to consider a dark UI. How could the images given the context be given the best stage allowing for the greatest usability? I wanted to make sure that it was easy on the eyes, apparent and accessible. The paper white looked too blown out too boring.

Ease of Use - Tweaks

Show & Tell

How can we make the arts more accessible? Art House provides representation that is missing from the art world. Art House aims to make art seen. By sharing in the discovery we can all become more educated and take joy in the wealth of creativity that's out there.

Show - Discover Weekly

Tell - Collections

Solution

Think Spotify & The Criterion Chanel for visual art. With fantastic avenues for growth and revenue, the possibilities are limitless. Art House could run a subscription model, sell prints, use VR to display works, broadcast to devices such as digital picture frames, spotlight artists and institutions on collaborative projects around the world. First and foremost however Art House has to deliver an aesthetic experience.

Results

I tested 10 users from a prototype I designed in Figma which I then ran through Useberry to record the user journeys. These tests confirmed ease and familiarity with the product model and the tasks were completed hastily. With Useberry I was able to generate loads of data which helped me understand the quality of the interactions user was having.

Useberry - Multi-Task Test

Final Thoughts

Art House seeks to fill a void and provide a much-needed service. The majority of art is viewed or even sold on Instagram. The visual arts deserve a digital platform of their own. There will always be a need for accessibility to the arts and we are equipped now more than ever to make that a reality.