Goodreads 2.0: Redesigning the App for the Joy of Book Enthusiasts📚

Making Book Searches Delightful with Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Design Rules

11/11/2023

Valeria Díaz Schiaffino

🔎Some of the tweaks

Last week, I was tasked with the exciting project of giving an upgrade to certain aspects of a well-known app, armed with the guidance of Jakob Nielsen’s 10 heuristic principles. I had a brief filled with app options, featuring big shots like Meta, Ikea, Tinder, Uber, and the unexpected underdog, Goodreads.

As I perused through the lineup, all these apps felt like old pals. Yet, amidst the familiar faces, there it was — Goodreads, quietly sitting on the sidelines. Now, don’t get me wrong; each app had its own charm, and they’re practically iconic. But in this sphere of personal projects, I had the chance to pick my muse, and without downplaying the others, Goodreads stood out.

Why, you ask? Well, I see these popular apps as having their heyday, a peak in usage, if you will. On the flip side, I believe Goodreads is a treasure trove of untapped potential, waiting to be explored. As a designer, this presented an alluring prospect — a chance for more creative freedom. So, guess which app got the nod? You got it, Goodreads!🎨

Severity Scale that helped me prioritize my choices during my heuristic analysis

Before we dig in, a quick heads-up: this was a rush-job project. I had just 2 days, so I had to let go of a bunch of other chances to tweak things. Now that the disclaimer’s out, let’s get down to business!

Armed with Figma, I tackled 10 columns for Jakob Nielsen’s 10 rules for app greatness. Here’s the lowdown:

1. System Status Sight: Can you see what’s cooking?1️⃣
2. Real-world System Sync: Does it jive with reality?3️⃣
3. User Control and Freedom: Are users the captains of their fate?2️⃣
4. Consistency and Standards: Keeping it steady and cookie-cutter.2️⃣
5. Error Roadblock: Dodging those digital bumps.1️⃣
6. Recognition over Recall: Can you spot, not just remember?0️⃣
7. Flexibility and Efficiency: Is it a smooth ride for users?2️⃣
8. Aesthetic and Minimalist Design: Keeping it dapper and2️⃣ straightforward.3️⃣
9. Help Users Spot, Diagnose, and Bounce Back from Errors: Got their back in the uh-oh moments.2️⃣
10. Help and Documentation: A safety net for lost users.1️⃣

Some of the notes I took during the process

After navigating the app interface and jotting down my notes, it was decision time — picking the stars of my redesign plan. Here’s how it went:

1. Boosting Error Prevention: When checking out a specific book, let’s toss in an option to display the current shelves right on the same screen.
2. Flexibility and Efficiency Boost: Found a hitch — language filtering is a desktop-exclusive deal, mainly for reviews. Solution? Let users pick their favorite languages right when they first hop into the app.
3. Aesthetic and Minimalist Overhaul: Spotted some outdated and not-so-inclusive book classification terms. Easy fix — swap them out for words that vibe better with users. Plus, those settings icons? Not my cup of tea. Time for a modern twist that fits the app’s overall look.
4. Help and Documentation Uplift: The help section needed a spotlight moment, so why not bring it front and center? I’m thinking of slipping it right into the menu option for a more visible and user-friendly vibe.

🪐Here’s the train of thought behind the previous explanation, illustrated with Lo-Fi sketches of the changes:

While the primary focus of the project wasn’t on the visual design of the app, I took the liberty to craft some screens and experiment with colors. This allowed me to infuse personalized details that I believed would add a more pleasant touch.

Adding a splash of color in the background, in this case green, to complement the button options

Now, the moment has arrived! Next, I’ll showcase the final Hi-Fi prototype of the solutions I previously came up with and explained.

In the image above, you can appreciate the language display option. This way, the user would have a filter that allows them to read reviews and/or find books according to their preference or vehicular languages. Additionally, there is a noticeable change in terms in some of the book categories to make them more fitting.

Here we can see how adding the option of a display button that shows the created tables while you can still read the book’s features would help simplify the process and eliminate the possibility of mistakenly saving it to the wrong shelf.

Finally, in this image, you can appreciate the change in the icons in the menu option, as well as the addition of the help icon in the center. This way, users would have a direct indication of how to resolve their doubts or contact customer service. This addition meant a simple but necessary thing for me since, while navigating the app initially, I had no idea how to get to the FAQs or the contact center. Upon checking it after consulting the internet, I confirmed that one had to go through a process of opening too many windows to reach this vital objective.

Reflecting on the journey of redesigning aspects of this app, a couple of key learnings emerge, which could serve as valuable insights for aspiring UI/UX designers in their future projects.

Firstly, the importance of user-centric solutions shines through. The tweaks made, such as the language display option and streamlined menu icons, aimed at enhancing user experience by providing more accessible features. This underlines the significance of understanding user needs and incorporating solutions that simplify their interactions.

Secondly, the journey itself holds valuable lessons. Navigating the challenges of discovering how to access FAQs or the contact center emphasized the critical role of user guidance. It highlights the necessity for intuitive design that ensures users can easily find the assistance they need without unnecessary hurdles.

For aspiring UI/UX designers, this project exemplifies the iterative nature of design. It’s not just about envisioning a final product but about continuously refining and adapting based on user feedback and usability testing.

As we conclude, I want to give you my sincere appreciation for your time in exploring the details of this redesign journey.💛

Before you go, here’s a curious fact:

Some studies suggest that reading for as little as six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. Engaging in a good book has the power to transport the mind, providing a temporary escape from the pressures of daily life. This stress-reducing effect is attributed to the immersive nature of reading, which allows the reader to focus on the narrative and temporarily disconnect from their own worries.Happy reading!”