OUGD504 - Design for Screen - Art Apps

As part of my problem is about how galleries are really poorly advertised digitally. Identifying what works well and what doesn't through exhibition apps can and what I can learn from this. Instagram seems to be the most sufficient way of creating an online presence for galleries. The first thing to point out is the lack of apps out there, this research reinforced my problem. The image above shows the application image of each of the apps, they all use either graphic type or images to signify the gallery. Abbreviations are often used to create more eye-catching and memorable titles for the galleries. If someone with no knowledge of the museum was to try and work out what the app is from these images it would be unclear that they are all art museums. 

Many of the apps have audio guides and are mainly meant to function alongside the museum. The MoMA app is typical of the art apps on offer, the design is simple, clear and doesn't have many 'artistic' features. The content is the focus. 

This menu shows the kind of options that are specific to the MoMA, these are a good starting for what each of the galleries in the Art Map. 

A feature of this app is the camera, encouraging the user to take photos of what they are seeing!

Another feature to possibly consider for the Art Map.

 The app includes this poorly designed floorplan that seems as if it no use for anyone. The design is unclear, complicated and hard to use.

The last feature to highlight from the MoMA app is the 'My collections' this extra personal section is designed to encourage the user to really make the app their own. This has probably never been engaged with because why would the user want to.

Centre Pompidou, using the iconic staircase logo as the basis these images show the Centre Pompidou app. The staircase shapes the rest of the apps design, thinking about the Art Map whether this should be replicated, design influenced by the building. 

These sections featured can inform my content, including a Timetable (calendar), Museum ( information on the museum histry etc.) Exhibitions (what is on).

The app features this easy to use and well designed timetable showing what is on when. A calendar or timetable is vital to my app so seeing what has worked well is useful. The images have been displayed in threes this is rule of third is apparent in loads of visual communication. The thirds displays the images at a good enough size to seen but is not too overpowering. 

When clicking on each Exhibition this black page explaining the content in much more detail. featuring times, images, information on the content, important dates, the title of the exhibition and where it is on. 

All this information is needed for the viewer to consider going to the exhibition. Including this content for every exhibition featured is vital. There is an option in app to 'Access Ticketing' 'Add to Calendar' and 'Share' this is something to consider for the app.

This use of the staircase is on shown again here, showing a progression from level 4 to level 5 as the viewer moves around the exhibition. 

A feature of most apps is this side swipe menu in the left top corner, this allows navigation across the app to be easy and if lost the user can retrace their steps. 

 The Guggenheim App was one of the most useful of all the Museum apps found. However as user experience is the focus of this project it is important to say how long it took to load. As the users for my app will need information quickly and at many times throughout the day the speed of the app is important and how this relates to user-ability. 

 The type used was large, direct and showed the user exactly what they were looking at right away. The different sections of the app could be swiped through with easy each section importantly showing very different content. 

 Using large images for each section meant the communication of the content was based almost completely on photography. This was not enough and more information from the offset allows the user to know exactly what they are looking at. 

In the Exhibition section it featured both current and past exhibitions, this menu of images alongside descriptions communicated the content more effectively. 

An important consideration for this project is the fact some galleries have permanent collections, how this is displayed through the app is important as might be what the viewer wants to see. 

 Another handy feature of this app is the ability to search for singular artists, this again might be what the users want to use the Art Map for the app should offer details on where to see Agnes Martin for example in any gallery in the world. The display of artwork of this artist is very engaging offering many options for different artworks to make sure the user knows exactly what they are looking for. 

 Under the 'Visit' section there features loads of really important information on the gallery, this information is vital to my app and showing all this information for all galleries is what sets my app apart from the rest. 

As this app is specific to the Guggenheim it also shows the other information on Guggenheim galleries around the world. 

Overall this apps user experience has shown a lot about what works and what doesn't.

The MACBA app is definetly an example of bad user experience and is really substandard compared to the rest of the galleries image. The Maps are really unclear, hard to use and the apps design doesn't at all fit with the rest of the museums branding. Often these apps are just not needed and all that is needed is the publicity about exhibitions that the Art map would offer. 

The Rijks Museum app works much more like an audio guide, rather than than information about the exhibition it is designed as if the user is in the museum already. The design is really easy to use so that all ages can interact with it, this is something that should be considered for the Art Map, the ability to change type size may be something to consider. 

 Though only a small gallery in Berlin the Berlinsche Gallerie's app design puts a lot of large galleries to shame, the design reflects the galleries identity and visual style, the content is to the point and useful. The layout of information makes the viewer want to see more and encorages the user to visit. 

This layout of images shows snap shots of what they might expect to see, the side menu means the app is easy to use and navigate around. The sections make finding the information they need easy and quick.  

 All the information on the gallery gives me a great starting point in what my app would need to include. 

Overall this app is really well designed but the only problem is why would anyone want to download it, unless they know of the gallery already they would never search for it. Hopefully the Art Map would stop the need for apps like this bringing all this information from a multitude of apps together into one singular place. This would give smaller galleries like the Berlinsche Gallerie a more level plain field and get as many people visiting as they deserve.