top of page
Ajinkya Library.
A space that is useful and usable as well as aesthetically pleasing at the same time.
2 Weeks
Why Library?
Libraries are offering different services aiming to improve the student experience, including a physical space where learners can find various materials such as books, dictionaries and encyclopedias; an area where students can chill-out and relax by listening to music or reading books; a place where students are able to find international magazines and discover what’s going on worldwide; and independent study areas as well as collaborative learning spaces where students can meet up with other learners to complete group projects. To create ambience and delightful experience, I have done this spatial design project from a user experience design perspective.
Project Brief
Redefining the experience of unconventional university library space for students, faculty and administrator staff in such a way that unutilized and traditional space can be converted into more usable and interactive space.
My Role
As an UI-UX Design student, I was responsible for:
+ Space Study
+ User Journey Flow
+ Floor Plans
+ Mood Board
​
​
Understanding the existing space
As a part of my Design School project, I have given a university library space to redefine experience.
​
The first challenge was to understand the scenario why library space is not used by students and faculties frequently.
​
The second challenge was to study the space - ambience, ergonomics, colors and textures.
"" Explore the space ""
What I Did?
+ I have conducted interviews with students and faculties.
+ Sit down with my project guide to understand the requirement.
+ Track the user journey to find the pain points.
​
What I found from interview?
I have conducted 70+ interviews within university campus with students, faculties and administration staff to find their needs and purpose of using library space.
+ Students are seeking for help who can guide them through the hunt of finding their required materials.
+ User guide for exploring the variety of materials available.
​
+ Navigation throughout space to find best place to sit and enjoy the experience.
​
+ Some students are looking for isolated and relaxed ambience.
​
+ Faculties wants to explore space where they can spend time with students and have casual discussion.
​
+ Needs to add the digital access for material and research.
​
Finding Loop holes in the system :
1. Location :
​
​
​
​
​
DC Building
​
​
​
​
​
No navigation sign leading
towards DC building
​
​
​
​
​
Asking people for
library location
​
​
​
​
​
Struggling finding
library section
​
​
​
​
​
Finally, get into the library
​
​
​
No Librarian to guide further
Two section without navigation:
1. Book
2. Digital
Some books are placed randomly on table
2. Entry / Check In :
​
Open Library, No check In
​
​
​
​
No locker for keeping bags and other belongings
No system to keep the status of material issued
3. Book search and exploring other reading material:
​
No guide to search for specific types of books​
​
​
​
No rack codes and list of books available on that rack
Unorganised books and other materials
Struggling finding
required material
​
​
​
​
​
Feeling frustrated
visual distraction due to bright colors used in library
Video material (CD/DVD) , magazines, encyclopedia, Academic books has no separation
Not enough walk in space due to table and chairs placed between racks
Unused big cupboards taking huge part of space
Unused space on the other part of library section
Video material (CD/DVD) , magazines, encyclopedia, Academic books has no separation
Tables on the back side of library is used for random meetings, creating distraction
4. Exploring library space :
Good enough space for walk through library
Void space between two sections of library
​
​
​
​
​
Improper lightning throughout the space
Good ventilation for the entire space
5. Ambience of the space :
Dark and colorful color theme, creates disturbance
visual distraction due to bright colors used in library
No clear registration guide for issuing books
Finally, exit the space
6. Exit
seating space used for random meetings
Existing space layout
Unused space between two sections
Empty Racks
Unused Racks
Digital section with few desktop setup
Unused cupboard
Book Racks
Book section and seating arrangement
Empty space between two sections
What I did ?
I sat down with my project guide to decide strategy to present a new experience and make this space live again. We have decide to work on following:
+ Presented a mood board for creating a new experience for existing space.
+ Added a new elements in a existing space to make space more interactive.
​
+ Provided navigation to explore the entire space.
​
+ Prepared a floor plans for new concepts.
​
​
Proposed Plan and Mood Board
lounge area with adding some bright color seating arrangement.
One rack for keeping bags outside the library area
​
​
Discussion room where student and faculty can some time doing brainstorming and casual meeting
To break the typical library concept, one small part dedicated for casual seating and relaxing with bright color pop up element
one corner with printing and zerox facility along side librarian seating.
digital section with seating arrangement
entry point with magazines rack, floor lamp and plant to enhance the aesthetic value
To take a feel of casual reading one corner with cuddle sofa and lighting
Material Search and Navigation
In library where there are variety of options available, one need clear navigation to find for specific reading material . To do so, I have suggested two ideas which allows user to find specific rack and after that particular category in that rack.
​
+ Color labels to represent specific categories of books on each rack, adds pop up element in entire white-grey space of library.
+ Keeping tags of specific department or category on racks will navigate user to enter and explore particular books on that rack.
​
​
Pink color represent books from product design categories. All the book belonging from product design has pink label.
It will make book segregation process easy for librarian and finding of book easy for students as well.
Book status
Here tags showing Design category will make finding design books easy.
​
Arrows below navigate the direction of racks where user will be able to find design books.
To avoid any confusion regarding books with other users and librarian, I thought of making book mark which shows the status of book.
​
+ Librarian can easily take action according the status of book. E.g. whether to collect that book and keep back inside rack or not - in case of reading is done.
​
+ Other user will know the action, so reserved books won't create any confusion between two users.
​
+ shows the status of books without having any conversation between two which helps to maintain silence in library.
​
​
Green - On Hold
​
User can use on hold book mark, in case user has more than one book, which anytime he/she is going to use.
Blue - In Process
​
In case user wants to go out for break, he/she can use blue book mark to let other user know that book is in use.
Orange - Done
​
Once user has finished reading, he/she can use orange book mark to let other users and librarian know about the availability of book.
Learnings.
As an user experience point of view, I have explored area which does not have any digital interaction. Selecting such a big space and make small level observations to suggest solutions teach me -
​
+ Importance of small elements to build entire space more user centric and interactive.
​
+ Importance of navigation through small changes provides smooth flow through the space.
​
+ Importance of colors to make choices and actions instant and clear.
​
+ Importance of ambience by keeping conventional use as priority.
​
​
Check More
"Design is thinking made visual."
- Saul Bass
bottom of page