[Case 03]

[Case 03]

Timeless Art, Modern Access

Timeless Art, Modern Access

Timeless Art, Modern Access

Art Museum

Art Museum

[Project Overview]


I saw an opportunity for The Metropolitan Museum of Art to improve its digital experience for a global audience. This project focused on enhancing navigation, accessibility, and content organization to make the collections more intuitive and inclusive. I conducted UX research and design, addressing usability issues through prototyping and user testing to improve The Met's digital presence.

 

[Project Overview]


I saw an opportunity for The Metropolitan Museum of Art to improve its digital experience for a global audience. This project focused on enhancing navigation, accessibility, and content organization to make the collections more intuitive

and inclusive.


I conducted UX research and design, addressing usability issues through prototyping and user testing to improve The Met's digital presence.

 

[Project Overview]


I saw an opportunity for The Metropolitan Museum of Art to improve its digital experience for a global audience. This project focused on enhancing navigation, accessibility, and content organization to make the collections more intuitive and inclusive. I conducted UX research and design, addressing usability issues through prototyping and user testing to improve The Met's digital presence.

 

[Problem Statement]


The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a globally recognized institution dedicated to showcasing artistic achievements across cultures. As demographics shift, social behaviors evolve, and technology advances, The Met must adapt to stay relevant and accessible to a diverse global audience. While well-established in the U.S., expanding its international presence requires a strategic approach to cultural engagement, digital accessibility, and evolving audience expectations.

The goal is to expand The Met’s global reach through digital experiences, virtual exhibitions, and educational content, while maintaining cultural authenticity, ensuring accessibility and affordability, and reinforcing the brand as a stylish, modern institution that blends classic art with innovative engagement.

 

[Problem Statement]


The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a globally recognized institution dedicated to showcasing artistic achievements across cultures. As demographics shift, social behaviors evolve, and technology advances, The Met must adapt to stay relevant and accessible to a diverse global audience. While well-established in the U.S., expanding its international presence requires a strategic on culture engagement, digital accessibility and evolving audience expectations.


The goal is to expand The Met’s global reach through digital experiences, virtual exhibitions, and educational content, while maintaining cultural authenticity, ensuring accessibility and affordability, and reinforcing the brand as a stylish, modern institution that blends classic art with innovative engagement.

 

[Problem Statement]


The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a globally recognized institution dedicated to showcasing artistic achievements across cultures. As demographics shift, social behaviors evolve, and technology advances, The Met must adapt to stay relevant and accessible to a diverse global audience. While well-established in the U.S., expanding its international presence requires a strategic approach to cultural engagement, digital accessibility, and evolving audience expectations.

The goal is to expand The Met’s global reach through digital experiences, virtual exhibitions, and educational content, while maintaining cultural authenticity, ensuring accessibility and affordability, and reinforcing the brand as a stylish, modern institution that blends classic art with innovative engagement.

 

[Industry]

Art Museum

[My Role]

Lead UX Designer

[Industry]

Art Museum

[My Role]

Lead UX Designer

[Users]

[Users]

[Demographics]

Age: 5–70+

Age: 5–70+

Education: Preschool to Postgraduate

Education: Preschool to Postgraduate

Location: Global with a focus on expansion beyond the U.S.

Location: Global with a focus on expansion beyond the U.S.

Primary Users

Students & Educators

Students & Educators

Cultural Enthusiasts

Cultural Enthusiasts

Families & Casual Visitors

Families & Casual Visitors

[User Needs, Wants, and Frustrations]

[User Needs, Wants, and Frustrations]

Needs

Clear, simple navigation

Family-friendly exhibits with interactive components for children

A way to interact with and learn from art both in-person and online

Personalized recommendations based on interests

Needs

Clear, simple navigation

Family-friendly exhibits with interactive components for children

A way to interact with and learn from art both in-person and online

Personalized recommendations based on interests

Needs

Clear, simple navigation

Family-friendly exhibits with interactive components for children

A way to interact with and learn from art both in-person and online

Personalized recommendations based on interests

Wants

Interactive learning through technology like AR or VR experiences

Opportunities to engage with other students or scholars for deeper discussions

Opportunities to interact with art such as special exhibitions, live performances, workshops, or augmented reality

Exclusive digital experiences (behind the scenes content, expert-led discussions)

A strong community aspect

Accessibility friendly content (subtitles, translations, audio guides)

Wants

Interactive learning through technology like AR or VR experiences

Opportunities to engage with other students or scholars for deeper discussions

Opportunities to interact with art such as special exhibitions, live performances, workshops, or augmented reality

Exclusive digital experiences (behind the scenes content, expert-led discussions)

A strong community aspect

Accessibility friendly content (subtitles, translations, audio guides)

Wants

Interactive learning through technology like AR or VR experiences

Opportunities to engage with other students or scholars for deeper discussions

Opportunities to interact with art such as special exhibitions, live performances, workshops, or augmented reality

Exclusive digital experiences (behind the scenes content, expert-led discussions)

A strong community aspect

Accessibility friendly content (subtitles, translations, audio guides)

Frustrations

Overcrowding particularly during peak time makes it difficult to appreciate art

Finding quiet, comfortable spaces to sit and rest is often limited in busy areas

The museum size can be intimidating, and unclear signs may lead to frustration while navigating different galleries

First time visitors may struggle to understand where to start, what exhibits to prioritize

Frustrations

Overcrowding particularly during peak time makes it difficult to appreciate art

Finding quiet, comfortable spaces to sit and rest is often limited in busy areas

The museum size can be intimidating, and unclear signs may lead to frustration while navigating different galleries

First time visitors may struggle to understand where to start, what exhibits to prioritize

Frustrations

Overcrowding particularly during peak time makes it difficult to appreciate art

Finding quiet, comfortable spaces to sit and rest is often limited in busy areas

The museum size can be intimidating, and unclear signs may lead to frustration while navigating different galleries

First time visitors may struggle to understand where to start, what exhibits to prioritize

[Process]

[Process]

[01] Personas
[01] Personas

To design a better museum experience, we focused on three main user types—the Cultural Explorer, the Art Student, and the Art Lover, each representing real needs and behaviors that guided our design decisions.

To design a better museum experience, we focused on three main user types—the Cultural Explorer, the Art Student, and the Art Lover, each representing real needs and behaviors that guided our design decisions.

[02] User Research
[02] User Research

To better understand the visitor experience at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we created a user journey map that outlines key stages from discovering the museum to exploring its exhibits. This map highlights user actions, goals, pain points, and opportunities for improvement. It serves as a foundation for identifying design solutions that enhance both the digital and in-person museum experience

To better understand the visitor experience at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we created a user journey map that outlines key stages from discovering the museum to exploring its exhibits.


This map highlights user actions, goals, pain points, and opportunities for improvement. It serves as a foundation for identifying design solutions that enhance both the digital and in-person museum experience

[03] Perceptual Map of Competitive Museums Collections Showing
[03] Perceptual Map of Competitive Museums Collections Showing

This perceptual map shows how major museums compare based on their art collections. It looks at two things: whether their focus is on historical or contemporary art, and whether their collections are broad or specialized. This helps us see where the Met stands among other museums and what makes it unique.

This perceptual map shows how major museums compare based on their art collections. It looks at two things: whether their focus is on historical or contemporary art, and whether their collections are broad or specialized. This helps us see where the Met stands among other museums and what makes

it unique.

[04] Design Direction
[04] Design Direction

The design approach for The Metropolitan Museum of Art was to create a user experience that feels inviting, inspiring, and easy to navigate while reflecting the museum’s rich history and cultural value. The goal was to help users feel more connected to art, whether they’re visiting in person or exploring collections online.


We used clean layouts, elegant typography, and a balanced color palette to create a look that feels both timeless and approachable. Imagery was carefully chosen to highlight the diversity of The Met’s exhibits, and the real moments people experience at the museum like learning, reflecting, and discovering something new. The overall goal was to make sure every user feels that The Met is a place for them. The design supports easy access to information, clear pathways to explore, and a warm, trustworthy tone.

The design approach for The Metropolitan Museum of Art was to create a user experience that feels inviting, inspiring, and easy to navigate while reflecting the museum’s rich history and cultural value. The goal was to help users feel more connected to art, whether they’re visiting in person or exploring collections online.


We used clean layouts, elegant typography, and a balanced color palette to create a look that feels both timeless and approachable. Imagery was carefully chosen to highlight the diversity of The Met’s exhibits, and the real moments people experience at the museum, like learning, reflecting, and discovering something new. The overall goal was to make sure every user feels that The Met is a place for them. The design supports easy access to information, clear pathways to explore, and a warm, trustworthy tone.

[05] Moodboard
[05] Moodboard

The moodboard combines soft neutrals with accent colors from featured works, blending classic and modern styles to support a thoughtful and engaging experience.

The mood board combines soft neutrals with accent colors from featured works, blending classic and modern styles to support a thoughtful and engaging experience.

[06] Visual Identity & User Experience
[06] Visual Identity & User Experience

We chose a calm, refined color palette inspired by artwork and architecture to create a sense of elegance and warmth. This helps users feel comfortable while still appreciating the museum’s depth and history.


Typography was selected for clarity and readability across all devices, combining a classic feel with a modern touch to keep the content accessible and engaging.

We chose a calm, refined color palette inspired by artwork and architecture to create a sense of elegance and warmth. This helps users feel comfortable while still appreciating the museum’s depth and history.


Typography was selected for clarity and readability across all devices, combining a classic feel with a modern touch to keep the content accessible and engaging.

[07] Wireframing
[07] Wireframing

The wireframing process for The Metropolitan Museum of Art website involved the development of both low-fidelity and high-fidelity wireframes using Figma. It began with low-fidelity sketches to outline the core user flows and establish a clear, intuitive site structure. These early drafts emphasized simplicity and ease of navigation.


Each wireframe aims to improve usability and clarity, by making navigation easy and content easy to find. The layouts helped guide users through the site whether they wanted to explore exhibits, plan a visit, or see what events are going on. The design focused on keeping things clean and straightforward, so users could move through the site without confusion.

The wireframing process for The Metropolitan Museum of Art website involved the development of both low-fidelity and high-fidelity wireframes using Figma. It began with low-fidelity sketches to outline the core user flows and establish a clear, intuitive site structure. These early drafts emphasized simplicity and ease of navigation.


Each wireframe aims to improve usability and clarity, by making navigation easy and content easy to find. The layouts helped guide users through the site whether they wanted to explore exhibits, plan a visit, or see what events are going on. The design focused on keeping things clean and straightforward, so users could move through the site without confusion.

[08] Final Designs/Prototyping
[08] Final Designs/Prototyping

The final design of The Met’s website was built to help users easily find the information they need and explore the museum in an engaging way.


The design supports a smooth user journey from planning a visit to exploring art online while making The Met feel welcoming, informative, and inspiring.


The prototype for The Metropolitan Museum of Art website was created using Figma, featuring high-fidelity screens and interactive elements to closely reflect the final user experience.


This prototype allowed us to test key user flows such as navigating to visiting information, browsing current exhibitions, exploring digital collections, and interacting with features like videos and digital artwork. We focused on testing how easily users could find important details like location, hours, pricing, accessibility, and “What’s On” events. Micro-interactions such as hover effects, clickable image cards, and embedded video previews were included to ensure the experience felt intuitive and engaging.


The final design of The Met’s website was built to help users easily find the information they need and explore the museum in an engaging way.


The design supports a smooth user journey from planning a visit to exploring art online while making The Met feel welcoming, informative, and inspiring.


The prototype for The Metropolitan Museum of Art website was created using Figma, featuring high-fidelity screens

and interactive elements to closely reflect the final

user experience.


This prototype allowed us to test key user flows such as navigating to visiting information, browsing current exhibitions, exploring digital collections, and interacting with features like videos and digital artwork. We focused on testing how easily users could find important details like location, hours, pricing, accessibility, and “What’s On” events. Micro-interactions such as hover effects, clickable image cards, and embedded video previews were included to ensure the experience felt intuitive and engaging.