Seattle Public Library
The Seattle Public Library offers incredible resources, from books and events to digital tools, but most of them were buried in an outdated and overwhelming mobile experience. Our team redesigned the SPL app to simplify discovery, improve usability, and make navigating the library feel intuitive and inspiring.
App Redesign
Role
UX/UI Designer
Project Type
Side Project
Team Members
Sarah Chu & Claire Kantner
Platforms
Mobile application
Areas
Design, Research
Challenge
The existing SPL mobile app suffered from cluttered information, inconsistent UI, and poor navigation, making it difficult for users to find what they needed, let alone explore new offerings.
We needed to:
Modernize the look and feel of the app
Make library resources easier to discover
Design for both goal-oriented and curious users
Improve accessibility and overall usability
The original SPL web design featured a cluttered interface and lacked clear content hierarchy.
Clarifying the user journey with a simplified, goal-driven task flow.
Approach
We started by observing users at the SPL Central Branch, conducting interviews with librarians and patrons, and analyzing the existing mobile experience using usability heuristics.
What we discovered:
Users fall into two main types:
— Explorers who browse events and collections with no fixed goal
— Decisive users who come in with something specific in mindMany patrons were unaware of available resources like events or the shelf map
The current app lacked visual hierarchy and made even basic actions feel confusing
Library staff frequently had to assist users who couldn’t navigate the app on their own
Using these insights, we created user profiles, simplified the information architecture, and built a design system focused on accessibility, clarity, and delight. We validated our ideas through multiple design iterations and usability testing with 10 participants.
Explore library events by category, age group, or interest using intuitive filters.
Tailored suggestions for books, events, and tools based on user preferences.
Easily browse and search for books with clear availability, shelf location, and recommendations.
Impact
The redesign transformed the SPL app into a more intuitive and accessible experience. Through usability testing users were able to navigate with confidence, discover resources more easily, and complete tasks with fewer frustrations.
Ease of Use
+40%
Discoverability
+90%
Design Feedback
👍🏼 Response
The final design empowered both new and returning visitors to get more out of their library experience, with less effort.
Want a Closer Look at the Process?
Click below to see what went into the thinking, testing, and tweaking.