About “MuseFinder”
MuseFinder is a Desktop first website that allows users to view museums around them and all the features that they offer.
Project Duration: 1 week
Problem
Discovering museums nearby and understanding their unique offerings remains frustratingly difficult for many visitors. While location based searches exist, most platforms provide only basic information, making it nearly impossible to quickly find museums that match specific needs such as accessibility features for disabilities, discounted tickets, guided tours, family friendly programs, or special exhibitions.
As a result, potential visitors often miss meaningful cultural experiences, while museums struggle to effectively connect with their target audiences.
Target Audience
Persona # 1: The student:
Budget conscious and academically driven, these students actively seek meaningful cultural experiences to complement their studies. They frequently look for student discounts, free admission days, student nights, and educational programs that align with their interests or coursework.
With packed schedules filled with classes, part time jobs, and assignments, they need a fast and effortless way to find nearby museums, quickly understand what each offers, and determine whether it’s worth their limited time and money.
Persona # 2: The visually impaired senior:
Many elderly seniors who are visually impaired remain eager to enjoy cultural experiences and stay socially active. They rely on screen readers and voice technology to browse information online and need reliable details about guided tours, senior discounts, accessibility accommodations, and transportation options.
Because most in this group no longer drive, they depend on family, friends, or ride sharing services to get around. This makes planning museum visits more complex and requires clear, advance information. Many are also not highly confident with technology, which adds another layer of difficulty when navigating poorly designed websites or apps.
Both people may have different frustrations and goals but what is consistent is the need to find features easily.
Ideation Process
How can I make the process simple to use and easy for people of all ages to navigate? Will people want a way to save favorite museums to an easily found list?
Sitemap showing simple and clean navigation.
Foundation
Side by side of both wireframe and mock up of the MuseFinder Homepage.
I chose these 4 colors to keep the site elegant but not over the top. When I think of museums I think of simplicity and elegance.
What inspired my choice to name the site MuseFinder was the fact that Muse is not just short hand for Museum but every artist has a muse.
Final Prototype
Want to do your own exploring? Check out the prototype Here.
Ideas to build on
Some of the future ideas that would make this website even better.
Insights Gained
Designing MuseFinder was especially meaningful because I am an avid museum enthusiast. My personal experiences helped me recognize common challenges users face when searching for museums and accessing important information, which inspired me to create a solution that makes discovering museums simple, accessible, and efficient.
Throughout the project, I learned that simplicity can have the greatest impact. While there are additional features I would love to explore in future iterations, I chose to prioritize a clean, intuitive experience that helps users find what they need without feeling overwhelmed. This project reinforced the importance of balancing functionality with usability, ensuring that every design decision supports a seamless and enjoyable user experience.