suggested changes

1. Redesigning StudioTrail
Lucy Johnson

2. Introduction
Studiotrail is a website that acts as a platform for aspiring artists. It enables them to
show their work in a collection with their peers.
Overall, I think the website is designed really well
Minimalistic design is effective, as the main focus of the site is the artwork itself

3. The Final Project

4. The Search Bar
The lack of a search bar creates difficulties
for users when trying to perform specific
tasks
The use of a search bar would allow an
individual to better organize and
understand how the interface works
(Richardson-Taylor, 2013).
When uploading their pieces, artists
should be asked to provide appropriate
tags, so other users can search for art
based on tags that they are interested in.
This would increase the user’s freedom
(Neilson, 1995) to control the application,
thus creating a more enjoyable overall
experience for the user.

5. The log in button
More conventional approach would
be more appropriate (top right
corner of screen)
Currently lacking in clarity, one of
the main design principles outlined
by Neilson, (1995).
Ghayas, et al. (2013) – recognisable
icons improve learning
Recognition rather than recall

6. The original prototype

7. Shopping
Idler (2013) suggests that guidance is essential for a satisfying user experience. Users
should be taken by the hand and clearly shown what to do.
This could be achieved by having a ‘shop’ option, rather than just an add to cart.
When uploading a piece, users can select whether or not it is for sale
Users who are specifically looking to purchase art can choose to narrow their search
using this shop tab
This would also keep the transaction between the artist and the buyer, without the
need for a warehouse

8. Conclusion
StudioTrail is a very aesthetically pleasing website. The concept behind the website is
interesting and innovative and the minimalistic design has been well executed.
However, there are still potential problems with the user interface.
The suggested changes have been decided based on basic design principles
These changes should optimise the user experience by improving their sense control
and freedom over how they wish to use the website as well as adding to their sense
of clarity over what specific icons mean