Looking at the librariesNI app and seeing what it does well and what could be improved.

Overall it feels like the app is pointless and doesn't really have any purpose, it feels like librariesNI have an app just to have an app.

In groups we listed all our thoughts about the current app, there were 5 different categories:

1. What does it do well?
   • The navigation buttons work, they take the user to the correct information. Good for interactivity
   • Its clear, the icons and text are large and easy to see. Good for readability
2. What could be improved?
   • Its really word heavy, there is a lot of reading required to understand what the app offers.
   • The icons line weight is inconsistent, and some are not aligned correctly.
   • Not very visually appealing, the boring is quite boring and the problems with the icons.
   • Too many navigation options available, could be sorted and organised better, so the user isn’t overwhelmed.
   • The search function doesnt work.
   • The nav buttons all lead to the website rather than an actual page within the app, makes the app annoying to use as navigation will constantly take the user out of the app.
3. What features could be added?
   • Instead of having the nav listed, implement them as a bottom navigation bar for a more efficient experience.
   • More visual elements, illustrations, icons, photos, will allow for the app the be easier and quicker to understand.
   • Have the account button be in the top corner, more conventional and users will more quickly understand the apps functions.
4. What could be removed?
   • The frame surrounding the logo, unnecessary and makes the logo feel isolated.
   • A lot of the navigation options, could be simplified.
5. How does this align to your user priorities? - For these as it was more focused on our own individual projects there was not really an overall group answer, but i considered the 5 values I selected when first coming up with the brand.
   • Values: Welcoming, caring - its very generic, not personalised to each user
   • Values: Helpful, Easy to understand - the user can get a lot of information quickly but it is not the easiest to navigate.
   • Values: Entertaining/Fun - The lack of visual elements make the app quite boring to use, the monotone colour scheme also not the most engaging

We also created a digital version to allow for easier collaboration, it also allowed us to create mockup ideas for what we thought could be changed.

Competitor Analysis - Libby

Competitor Analysis - Waterstones

During our discussion after the group work, a lot of the other groups were looking at waterstones as it was another effective example of an app focused around books although it isn't specifically for a library.

I decided to use waterstones as a starting point for my own library app as i thought some of the features that I wanted to included could be effective done in a similar way in which the waterstones app is laid out, including the in-app card system and the layout of the available books.