Case Study: Redesigning NYU Special Collections’ Landing Page

NYU Special Collections is the home of the New York University Archives, the Fales Library and Special Collections, and the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. It is dedicated to collecting, preserving and facilitating access to the diverse and unique materials we hold. They are committed to responsible stewardship of our holdings and collaborate with colleagues across the Libraries, the University and wider communities to promote research, inquiry, teaching and creative engagement with the collections in our care.

My role:

  • User Research

  • User Interviews

  • Sketching

  • Visual Design

  • Interaction Design

Softwares Uses:

  • Figma

  • Photoshop

  • Google Forms

Year:

2024

Problem

The NYU Special Collections login page is outdated, cluttered, and confusing for researchers. Excessive information and poor navigation hinder the user experience, while the outdated design feels unappealing and lacks accessibility features. A redesign is essential to streamline the login process, improve usability, and modernize the interface to meet current design standards.

Key Motivation

Improving User Experience

I’ve noticed firsthand that users often struggle with the current process, and you want to create a smoother, more intuitive experience.

Reducing Support Requests:

As someone working at the library, you frequently help users navigate the sign-up, and a redesign could minimize the need for assistance.

Enhancing Accessibility:

You aim to make the page more accessible to a wider range of users, including external researchers and those unfamiliar with the system.

Streamlining the Process:

You want to simplify and modernize the interface, making it quicker and easier for users to access special collections.

Comparative Analysis

Wireframes and Solution

Iteration 1:

Iteration 2:

Changes were made after user testing and user experience.

Final Prototype