Art-Clusive App
Case Study
Description
Art-clusive is all about making art galleries more accessible, letting visitors experience exhibits in a way that works for them. Whether through personalized tours or customizable settings, the app gives people more control over how they explore, making museums feel welcoming to everyone. Offering options that fit different needs and preferences helps ensure that no one feels excluded from the experience.
My Role
Research, Wireframe, Design, Prototype
The Problem
The world isn’t always designed with accessibility in mind, including museums and galleries. While many offer audio guides for visitors with limited vision, there’s often little else to support those who are hard of hearing, have mobility challenges, or face other barriers that make exploring exhibits difficult, especially in crowded spaces. This lack of inclusivity can make it harder for some visitors to fully experience and enjoy art as it was meant to be.
The Solution
Our Art-Clusive app aims to bridge the accessibility gap in museums and galleries by providing an inclusive app experience tailored to users with diverse needs. Through customizable accessibility settings, such as sensory-friendly modes, adjustable text and audio options, and tactile or audible map feedback, the app ensures everyone can engage with art comfortably and safely. Art-Clusive also features interactive maps, multimedia content, and personalized guided tours that cater to individuals with visual, auditory, physical, or cognitive limitations, allowing them to experience art at their own pace, free from barriers. By prioritizing inclusivity, Art-Clusive empowers users to fully immerse themselves in the art world.
Research
I started with an unmoderated survey to ensure the app truly helps museumgoers. I wanted to learn about challenges like hard-to-read plaques, sensory overload, and accessibility issues. While museums offer some accommodations, they don’t always cover everything. This research highlighted the gaps and how a digital tool could make art spaces more inclusive and engaging.
Method
1. Accessibility needs vary widely among visitors.
While many museums offer basic accommodations like audio guides, they don’t address the full spectrum of accessibility needs. Visitors with low vision struggle with small plaques, those with sensory sensitivities find crowded spaces overwhelming, and wheelchair users face navigation challenges due to limited seating and unclear accessible routes. A one-size-fits-all approach isn’t enough. Users need customizable tools to shape their experiences.
Survey Insights
2. Many visitors prefer flexibility over structured tours.
Half of the participants had never used a guided tour app, often because they preferred exploring at their own pace or following a friend’s lead. Those who use guided tours find them useful for quick access to information and avoiding crowds, but they want more control over where they start, what they skip, and how they interact with the content.
3. Sensory-friendly features are essential for some and beneficial for all.
Users with sensory sensitivities often avoid galleries due to noise, bright lights, and chaotic layouts. Many requested options to reduce visual clutter, adjust audio settings, and access calming soundscapes. While these features are crucial for neurodivergent visitors, they also enhance the experience for those who prefer a quieter, more focused environment.
4. Accessibility settings need to be more intuitive.
While 80% of users found the app’s accessibility settings, half struggled to customize them to their needs. Some felt the interface was visually overwhelming, while others wanted better tutorials to guide them through setup. Minor adjustments, like a “focus mode” for simplified navigation, could significantly affect usability.
5. Interest in interactive digital content is growing.
Younger, tech-savvy visitors (ages 18-30) want more than static museum experiences. They’re drawn to augmented reality (AR), multimedia content, and social sharing features. While traditional museum-goers prioritize quiet reflection, digital enhancements can create new entry points for those who might not otherwise engage with art spaces.
Supporting Personalization & Customization – Users appreciate accessibility features but want more control over settings, including visual cues, tone adjustments, and the ability to adjust text size and contrast for better readability.
Key Motivators
Creating a Sensory-Friendly Experience – Users want options like low-clutter visuals, calming soundscapes, and alternative audio formats to make their experience more comfortable.
Reducing Barriers to Access – Many users face physical, sensory, or logistical challenges when visiting galleries, so they’re looking for digital tools that make art more accessible, whether remotely or in person.
Personas
Olivia has been a lifelong art lover who enjoys visiting galleries whenever possible. However, her low vision makes reading the small plaques beside artworks difficult, especially in dimly lit exhibits. She has tried using audio guides, but they don’t always provide enough detail, leaving her feeling like she is missing part of the experience. She wishes for better ways to access artwork descriptions and navigate galleries without struggling to see them.
David is curious about art but rarely visits museums because they are overwhelming. Large crowds, bright lighting, and excessive noise can make it hard for him to focus on the exhibits. He has never used a guided tour app before, as he prefers to explore at his own pace, but he often feels disconnected from the artwork. He would love a way to customize his experience so that he can enjoy museums without sensory overload.
Sofia has always been interested in visiting museums, but as a wheelchair user, she finds them difficult to navigate. Many galleries lack clear information about accessible routes, and seating areas are often limited, leading to exhausting extended visits. She has hesitated to visit because she doesn’t want to struggle through spaces that weren’t designed with her in mind. She hopes to find a tool to help her plan her visits so that they are enjoyable rather than stressful.
Jordan loves discovering new artists and attending gallery openings, but they often feel that traditional museum visits are too static. They enjoy interactive exhibits and digital content but find that many museums still rely on old-school plaques and guided tours that don’t offer much engagement. They wish there were more ways to interact with the art—like augmented reality features or personalized recommendations—so they could have a more dynamic experience.
Design
Museumgoers often struggle with accessibility and navigating exhibitions, from finding tours to accessing artwork details. The home screen prioritizes ease of use with a simple tour selection for Audio, Visual, or Custom experiences to address this. A precise bottom navigation bar offers quick access to accessibility settings, favorites, and a QR scanner for interactive content, while exhibits and events are front and center for effortless discovery.
The accessibility menu makes it easy for users to customize their experience.
The Accessibility Information page covers key details like accessible entrances, parking, and mobility-friendly pathways. Sensory settings let users adjust motion, audio feedback, and haptics for a more comfortable experience. Display and text options offer contrast, text size, and font adjustments for better readability. Language settings allow easy switching, while audio, captions, and subtitles keep content accessible.
A dedicated accessibility section ensures these features are always within reach, making the app inclusive for everyone.
Tour Flow
The tour flow is designed for a seamless, intuitive experience that lets users explore at their own pace with settings that fit their needs.
It starts at the Home Screen, where users select a tour type—audio, visual, or custom—before browsing available tours. Accessibility settings are integrated naturally, allowing users to adjust sensory preferences, text displays, and captions before they begin.
Users can also generate a tour straight from the "Must See" section, creating a personalized experience based on visitor-favorited exhibits. By streamlining the process, the platform ensures users can easily navigate from the Home Screen to a tour that suits their interests and accessibility needs.
Map Features
Filter
Design System
Key Takeaways and Future Improvements
This project was a valuable experience in designing for accessibility, ensuring that all visitors, regardless of ability, can engage with museum content in a way that suits them. Many digital experiences unintentionally exclude people by prioritizing standard interactions over flexible, user-driven design. This case study reinforced the importance of building with inclusivity at the forefront rather than treating it as an afterthought.
1. Accessibility should be built into the foundation of a product
When designing for accessibility, every decision impacts the overall user experience. A well-integrated accessibility system does not just benefit those with specific needs. It improves usability for everyone. From navigation to content presentation, ensuring clarity and ease of use enhances the experience across all demographics.
2. Giving users more control improves engagement
Users interact with digital content in different ways, whether through audio guides, visual tours, or custom-tailored experiences. Offering multiple options allows visitors to explore at their own pace and comfort level. The ability to generate tours from the "Must See" section also highlights the importance of personalization in creating a more meaningful experience.
3. Design choices should reflect real-world environments
Museums are dynamic spaces with changing lighting, varying noise levels, and accessibility constraints. This project emphasized the importance of designing with context in mind. Whether ensuring text remains readable in different conditions or making navigation simple while moving, digital accessibility should extend beyond the screen to support the in-person experience.
Moving forward, the focus will be on refining these features based on real user feedback. The next step is testing the tour flow in live environments, collecting insights, and iterating to ensure it enhances the museum experience. The goal is not just to make information more accessible but to create an experience that feels natural, inclusive, and engaging for all visitors.