Mystery Book
A regularly scheduled delivery service in which subscribers receive a “blind box” of books based on preference and interest.
Duration /
Sep 2021
(2 weeks)
Type /
Individual Project
Skills /
UX research
UX design
UI design
Problem /
How might we get people to acquire a reading habit by borrowing books from the library more efficiently?
According to the Freckle Report, the number of people using public library buildings has decreased by 31% over the past eight years. Libraries discard millions of books each year, despite the fact that these printed books may be beneficial for readers' minds and health. More books are being thrown away because people aren't reading as much as they once did, perhaps because, going to a bookshop or library to get the right book takes time and effort.
Product Preview /
Find attractive genres to help develop interests
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Choose the categories based on your preferences to personalize the push contents
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Determine which book genres interest you the most using the book type test
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Quick glance at the mystery book plan
Simpler and faster browsing and selection of books
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Suggestions tailored to your interests and preferences
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Book details provide further information about the book
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Search for the book you are looking for
Experience surprise each time you receive the mystery book
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Go through the blind box selection process
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Customize the book in different styles
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Receive a gift linked to the contents of the book
User Research /
User Interview
One of the most significant factors in the decline of library use is the loss of reading interest, coupled with the difficulty of forming a reading habit. I conducted interviews with 8 people from different careers within the 18-38 ages group who were struggling to cultivate the habit of reading. The majority of them struggled to keep to their reading schedules and develop reading habits. They cited the following reasons:
The Main Insight
1
⏱
Lack of Time
Interviewees mentioned that they don't have spare time to visit the library to choose a book and they want an easier approach to find the ideal book for them.
2
🌀
Monotonous reading experience
Increased use of mobile phones, streaming, online entertainment have resulted in the decline of the book reading habit. A lot of text reading can be tedious in this era.
3
📚
Unwilling to persist
Some of the interviewees said that they occasionally forget to find another book after finishing one, which made it harder for them to stick to their initial reading goals because there wasn't always something new to read.
Personas
Christina
Age: 22
Occupation: Designer
Location: New York
Christina just started working at a major company as a design intern, and her daily tasks are incredibly trivial and hectic. She likes watching movies rather than reading books. But she is at ease with the popular marketing trend of blind boxes purchasing. She believes that using money to buy surprises will free her up from busywork.
Goal:
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Find interests and fun during reading experience.
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Purchase printed books and mentally relax by ordering blind boxes.
Frustrations:
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Loves to read and visit libraries, but lacks time due to a busy schedule at work.
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Always been a goal of mine to read more professionally, but have no idea where to begin or what books would be the best.
John
Age: 37
Occupation: Photographer
Location: Washington D.C.
Being a photographer, John captured every moment of his life on film. D.C. is the location of his studio. He often enjoys reading a variety of novels, but he rarely knows what to pick up. Since he is accustomed to taking inspiration from books, he must identify various areas of interest. He has many hobbies that he is enthusiastic about.
Goal:
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Strives to draw insights from randomness and discover surprises in unpredictability.
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Starts new creations at regular intervals and needs to find new inspirations at those intervals
Frustrations:
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Drained from trying to find inspiration and unsure of where to begin.
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Needs to discovers varous points of interest and new things to spark creative ideas.
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Has a severe disorder of choice and is unable to make decisions.
Product Research /
Competitve Analysis
None of the competitive products are aimed at assisting people in developing reading habits.
When I looked at the 3 most popular online libraries and book selling apps, I discovered that while they were very practical for selling books from their stock. They lacked any features or programs that may help consumers develop effective reading habits.
Solution /
Ideation
People can acquire the habit by regularly receiving library deliveries of books at specific intervals.
Based on the aforementioned study, I came up with five initial concepts. After evaluating them for viability and competitiveness, I concluded that it would be simple and efficient to develop a book delivery service periodically which can be tailored to the individual's desire — monthly, weekly, or daily offerings, saving them the time it takes to choose the next book after finishing one.
Key Features
With the use of these insights, I discovered that users most urgently require a regularly scheduled book delivery service. Only a convenient book ordering experience is sufficient to keep customers reading over time.
1 / Scheduled delivery plan
By subscribing to this plan, users can receive a variety of books in the future, and the platform will choose the best books for them depending on their preferences.
2 / Packaging in a mystery box
When compared to the usual book-buying experience, the surprise of the process before receiving the book makes it more exciting.
3 / Friendly user journey
A simple and easy user experience will give users the impression that it is not difficult to start a new habit.
Wireframe /
The primary features were arranged and organized after multiple updates to the sketches. Users experience is made effortless by the connections between each feature. The early prototype demonstrates the solution's critical interactions.
Iterations/
Testing + Improvements
I went through user testing to develop the final high-fidelity prototype based on the feedbacks from 8 other students and instructors.
Prototype → Usability test → Apply changes
1
Updating the ordering screen
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The initial design of order confirming screen left users feeling a little hurried, and some users also stated that they were unable to confirm if the order was successful or not.
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In order for users to verify that their information is correct, the updated screen has been added that displays the shipping address, the selected book, the shipping notes, and the final price.
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The thorough pricing list makes sure that users may comprehend the advantages of signing up for the mystery book plan.
2
Adding tracking information
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Users want to learn more about the delivery and arrival times so they can pace themselves accordingly and know in advance when they will receive it.
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To help users manage their books more efficiently, the book list displays the status of borrowed and returned books for users.
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Upon feedback, most of the users thought it would be a good idea to keep their favorite books at home and read them again, so I placed a “purchase” button under borrowing books.
3
User review matters
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According to the feedback, book description isn't enough to persuade them to read the book; instead, they rely on user reviews.
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The inclusion of ratings and reviews from other users enables consumers to learn what other people think about the book from sources other than official sources.
The final screens
Final/
Onboarding
Personalize your contents and learn about the mystery book plan
Homepage
Selection based on your preferences
Mystery Book
Experience the process of selecting blind box
Tracking Information
Catch up the location of your orders
Prototype
Design System
Early Moodboard
I went with the color of the book itself to convey the idea of a home library. Green was chosen as a vibrant color to represent vitality.
The Style Guide
Colors
#C7CCC3
#4B4F57
#BDAA9C
#8D837F
#E8E2DA
#CEB8A7
Application Icon
Typography
Header 1 36 px
Header 2 36 px
Header 3 24 px
Body 1 24 px
Body 2 22 px
Text 1 18 px
Text 2 14 px
Reflections/
Key Takeways
1/Build something worthwhile
I created Mystery Book with the intention of maintaining my reading habit. Then, based on the user interviews, I realized that many individuals have difficulties keeping their reading routines. By discovering these demands, I was able to build a solution that would assist people in overcoming these difficulties.
2/Multiple directions to a practical solution
After determining the problem, I conducted a brainstorming session and sketched 5–10 alternatives, choosing a workable solution from several unsteady ideas. People would also use these early ideas as part of their preliminary research, which helped me deliver my design decisions more effectively.
