Abstract
Michigan State University’s Main Library features digital interactive screens installed throughout the building to help users navigate resources and access information. Despite their potential, these screens were seeing very little engagement. Our goal was to redesign the interface to improve usability, increase visibility, and make the screens more inviting and helpful to a wide range of users.
The Challenge
The main challenge was to design a user interface that would clearly prompt interaction and provide real value to library visitors. Users needed to intuitively understand that the screens were interactive, and the content had to be organized in a way that made important information quickly accessible. This meant designing for clarity, accessibility, and engagement, all within the limitations of existing screen hardware.
Constraints
One of the primary constraints was the lack of user data on the current interface. To understand what users needed and why engagement was low, we had to conduct our own research. In addition, the redesign had to fit within the current infrastructure of the library's screen network and CMS. Our project timeline was limited to just six weeks, requiring a focused and iterative process.
My Role
In a team of five UX designers, I was responsible for conducting user surveys, synthesizing findings, and creating high-fidelity mockups. I collaborated closely with teammates to ideate solutions, test prototypes, and ensure our final designs reflected both user needs and technical feasibility.
Defining Project Goals
We identified four key objectives that guided our redesign process:
Improve usability by simplifying navigation and interaction
Create a welcoming home screen that clearly signals interactivity
Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards
Support common library tasks such as finding maps, hours, and service info
Research Process
Our team conducted on-site observations and surveys with library users to gather feedback on the existing digital screens. We also analyzed similar systems used in other academic institutions to understand best practices in public-facing digital signage.
Key insights included:
Many users did not realize the screens were interactive
Important features such as maps or service directories were hard to find
The visual design lacked a clear hierarchy and felt outdated
Wireframes and Mid-Fidelity Design
Based on our research, we created wireframes that introduced clearer interaction cues and reorganized the interface around user priorities. The mid-fidelity designs focused on three major improvements:
Adding a more inviting home screen layout with large, tappable icons
Creating a consistent navigation structure to reduce confusion
Prioritizing accessibility through color contrast, icon clarity, and readable typography
High-Fidelity Design
The final high-fidelity mockups built on our wireframes and addressed feedback from early testing. The new design featured:
An intuitive layout that emphasized core actions like search, directions, and hours
A more visually engaging interface with MSU-branded styling
Improved iconography and motion cues to signal interactivity
Accessibility enhancements to support a broader range of users
Usability Testing
To validate our designs, we conducted usability tests with students and library visitors. Participants included a mix of English language learners and users with limited experience using public touchscreens.
Key Findings
All participants were able to complete key tasks such as finding hours or locating a department
Some users missed interaction prompts on the home screen
Users wanted quicker access to frequently used features
Iterations Based on Feedback
Added subtle animations to guide users toward touchable areas
Refined the layout to surface popular features more prominently
Simplified terminology for clearer navigation
Closing Thoughts
This project helped me grow as a UX designer by working in a collaborative, research-driven environment. I gained hands-on experience with user surveying, iterative design, and accessibility best practices in a real-world institutional setting.
What I Learned
The project reinforced the importance of designing for clarity, especially in public-facing tools. I learned that subtle interaction cues, accessible layouts, and feedback-driven iteration are essential when designing for a broad and diverse audience. Working as part of a UX team also helped me appreciate the value of shared critique and diverse perspectives during the design process.
