Overview
New York City, and many cities around the world, are hubs and havens for artists. These artists’ best way to get traction and sales is through gallery shows. The trouble is there are so many galleries and so little information about individual shows that they come and go without reaching the audience they deserve. OnView acts as the bridge from galleries to viewers.
The User
The user is anyone that is interested in finding interesting and local art. There is always the big museums, but those shows are packed with guests and ticket prices and memberships can get expensive, but OnView allows for the die hard and the tourist to find something new and fresh. Whether it is for planning a weekend of gallery hopping or just needing an art fix during your lunch break. OnView can provide a solution.
The Goal
Creating a native iOS and Android app that provides a location for all of their gallery needs. This includes a map of all gallery locations. A way to filter these galleries by type of exhibit. Users will be able to favorite exhibits and if the viewing is on appointment only they will have the ability to make a reservation right in the app.
Research
Map
The OnView Map takes cues from these apps and then takes away any unnecessary parts to make a very minimal, easy to read black and white map. Rather than use a color to make the pins pop out the map itself is much more diffused and the pins stand with a stark contrast of black on a light backdrop. The search and filter features are also kept hidden away from the user so that the user has the ability to explore all the art available before making a decision to narrow the scope of their search.
Information
OnView will feature the show currently being exhibited and information about the duration of the show as well as if the user needs to book an appointment. Providing contact information and a link out to Google Maps for directions from your location to the Gallery also assist in making it easier to decide on what the user’s next great art excursion.
Reviews
OnView will not have a rating system for reviews, but rather will have a discussion page for art enthusiasts to talk about the show and their thoughts on the work. OnView’s discussion page will be much more about user engagement in a more educational discourse. Where users are not rewarded for reviewing or reminded to leave a review. Rather users will go to this page to talk about the art they have seen and their interpretations of the show.
The Application
iOS
The iOS version of the application features a bottom navigation with minimal flourishes. Keeping things clean and focused on the art and the exhibits rather than have an overwhelm of information and ratings and reviews and likes to distract the user. A minimal color scheme also ensures the focus remains on the art and the only time color emerges is from the art and when selecting a location on the map. The goal of keeping features can be found in the set up of the app. There are two distinct sections. Exploration and Information. Exploration focuses on the whole. This includes the Map, with its Gallery Previews and the list of Galleries. The information section is focused on the individual shows. Featuring artist statements, show details, discussions, and even making appointment reservations.
Full prototype here
Android
The Android version takes on a very similar minimal aesthetic, allowing the art to shine as much as possible. Through Material’s structure this version boasts a more robust interface. This allowed for more hidden features like search bar and filter cards. Rather than the iOS which has the search bar ever present the Android version has it nicely tucked away, as well as the filter feature. The icons used in this version are a much smaller pool as the top navigation header uses text rather than icons which are much more present in the iOS. Both versions are successful in making sure the app is not the main focus. Allowing the user to easily search, filter and save galleries in order to visit and enjoy as much art as possible.
Full prototype here
