An intuitive, research-driven interface that streamlines how Michigan State University students discover and access essential campus resources and information.

Project Type: MSU Library Interface Redesign
Designed a clearer, more intuitive library display to improve campus info access for all users.

Role: Experience Researcher & Designer
Contributed to user research and LED the interface redesign process to improve clarity, speed, and ease of use.

Duration: April 2023 - May 2023

Tools: Figma

TL;DR Summary

Problem: MSU’s library displays were outdated, overwhelming, and misunderstood as non-interactive, leading to confusion and incomplete user journeys.
Approach: Conducted user interviews, heuristic evaluations, and competitive analysis to identify breakdowns. Redesigned the interface to be more intuitive, accessible, and user-driven.
Outcome: Proposed interaction cues, accessible design features, and streamlined content to enhance usability and guide behavior more effectively.

Framing the Problem

Our target audience included students and non-student visitors interacting with MSU’s library display systems. Based on peer feedback and observed behavior, the existing interface felt outdated, non-interactive, and difficult to navigate—resulting in confusion, underuse, and poor accessibility.

User Research & Insights

PHASE 1: Research — Personas: Four user personas were developed depending on how the displays were utilized. Heuristic analysis is an in-depth examination of an old model. Comparative Analysis: A side-by-side comparison of the information displays for Broad, Law, and +1 building. Interviews with clients: three, two students, and one non-student; people performed tasks in front of our personnel. Tasks were selected using heuristic analysis.

PHASE 2: Implement Research — Prepare and carry out ALL of the research. Start the Lo/Hi-Fi wire framing process for Display. PHASE 3: Analyze Data, Implement Feedback, and Produce Proposals — Assess data, decide what needs to be improved most generally, and create mockups in order to get ready with MSU's head of UX.

Key Insights & Design Decisions

1. Users mistook the display for a static poster and didn’t realize it was interactive.
2. No user successfully navigated to multiple library locations—clarity and guidance were lacking.
3. Feedback showed a strong need for visual and audio cues to improve accessibility.

Projected Impact

This redesign lays the groundwork for clearer interactivity, more successful task completion, and broader accessibility for all library visitors.

1. Clarified display purpose, increasing the likelihood of user interaction.
2. Improved task completion by simplifying pathways to key features.
3. Enhanced accessibility, ensuring broader inclusivity through contrast and audio tools.

Design Solutions

I led the redesign of MainMSU’s wireframes, implementing intuitive, accessibility-focused layouts based on insights from user interviews, heuristic evaluations, and on-site testing. We urge that the University enhance the display experience with persistent visual cues—such as a “Touch Here” prompt or idle animation loop—to clearly indicate interactivity and reduce confusion.Based on user behavior and comparisons with the Broad College system, we introduced a map-based navigation tool allowing users to tap a location and receive directional feedback. To improve inclusivity, we proposed features like contrast modes and audio narration toggles for broader accessibility. Lastly, we streamlined the interface by removing unnecessary elements (e.g., social tags, external links), focusing user attention on essential tasks. Annotated wireframes were created and presented to MSU’s UX team to communicate our vision and guide future development.

Reflections & Opportunities for Growth

This was the most research-intensive project I had collaborated on at the time. Working with a team to validate design decisions gave me a deeper understanding of how to bridge user needs with technical feasibility. Presenting our rationale to MSU’s UX leadership helped strengthen my ability to articulate design choices. Looking back, I would have built a more robust prototype to test engagement with our redesign. Iterative usability testing could have uncovered even more opportunities for refinement before finalizing wireframes.