Method-driven UX Design 2021
online library
My role
Research // UX // UI // Design Thinking
Supervison
Rebecca Götte
A method-driven redesign of a digital library, shifting the experience from targeted search to exploratory discovery.
Team
Why?
Digital library systems are built around precise search, yet discovering relevant content is rarely a linear process. Users often begin with vague ideas rather than exact titles, lacking guidance to navigate and evaluate available material. This project explores how library systems can better support exploration and informed decision-making.
The project focuses on a structured, method-driven approach to designing digital systems, emphasizing process, usability and decision-making over visual refinement.
Process
The process followed a method-driven approach inspired by design thinking and the double diamond model.
It began with observing how users interact with existing library systems. Rather than starting with solutions, the focus was on understanding behaviors, expectations, and where friction occurs in real usage.
Through user testing and interviews, it became clear that users often struggle to assess whether content
is relevant to their needs based on titles alone.
Based on these insights, a clear user need statement was defined to guide the entire design process. It became a central reference point, ensuring that all decisions remained aligned with the actual needs
of the users.
Building on the user need statement, different solution approaches were developed and tested. The goal was not to find a solution immediately, but to explore a range of possibilities and understand their impact on usability of the users.
Through continuous testing and iteration, ideas were evaluated and refined. Variations of layouts, information structures, and interaction concepts were compared to identify what helped users understand and assess content more effectively.
Over time, this process made it possible to narrow down the solution space and focus on the approaches that addressed the core need most clearly.
solution
We introduced a Delight feature, which allows users to search specifically for questions and topics rather than from a book title.
Users can search using keywords instead of exact titles, allowing them to explore content based on topics rather than known items.
Media can be saved to custom lists, allowing users to continue exploring without losing track.
Clicking on a medium reveals deeper insights into its content, helping users assess its relevance.
This project highlights the value of a structured, method-driven approach, where insights and iteration shape meaningful solutions.
