Digital Studio Access
The need for a digital studio to act as a database for artwork, owner, and location data arose from the request of multiple artists represented by David Zwirner. The digital studio enables artists to quickly find information about their body of work, seamlessly plan exhibitions, and add data as needed. This resulted in artist retention to the gallery, including their commissions, and aided in market data collection.
Role: As the lead designer, it was my responsibility to collaborate cross functionality to gather all design requirements; interview stakeholders; deliver the UX, UI, and prototype; and work with developers.
Platforms: Responsive web
Disciplines: UX, UI, User Research, Prototyping, Testing
Tools: Figma, Origami
Timeline: 2 months
Research
The target audience for this project includes both artists and their studio managers. I collaborated with an artist liaison from the David Zwirner gallery, who had direct communication with the artist for whom we developed the MVP. The outcome was a bespoke experience that was tailored to meet the specific needs of the artist, while also aligning with the broader requirements of their studio and creative process.
Key asks from the artist and their studio include:
Ability to quickly search and filter their artwork by date, location, and medium
Information about the artwork Fact Sheet and current owner
High resolution photos of the artwork to plan exhibitions with ease
Landing Page Wireframes & User Testing
Below is an early wireframe of the Digital Studio landing page based on the initial requirements from the artist & their studio. The overall structure and streamlined UI to focus on the artwork was received well, but there were a number of improvements to be made.
Filter Improvements:
Missing Date Range Option for Works
Description: Currently, there is no option to filter or sort works by a specific date range. Adding a date range filter would greatly enhance the ability to curate works based on their creation dates, making it particularly useful for creating themed exhibitions or displaying works from specific time periods.
Request: Implement a date range filter for works, allowing users to define custom start and end dates for the works they wish to view or include in an exhibition.
Prefilled Checkboxes for Location Filtering
Description: When filtering by location, users must manually search each location, which can be difficult to know which locations are available. For exhibitions or events with predefined locations, this process can be streamlined.
Request: Introduce a feature where the checkboxes for locations are automatically prefilled based on the available options or previously used locations. This would speed up the filtering process and reduce repetitive tasks.
Edition Formatting Enhancement
Description: Currently, edition formatting for works might not follow a standard or consistent convention. Ensuring uniformity in how edition details are presented would improve clarity and user experience, particularly for collectors or exhibitors who need to quickly assess the details of multiple works.
Request: Standardize the edition format to display as “Edition of [Total]” (e.g., "Edition of 10"). This format should apply universally across all works listed in the system to ensure consistency and clarity.
Grid View for Category Comparison
Description: In the current view, it can be difficult to quickly compare works within the same category. Users need a more organized, easy-to-scan layout to view multiple works at once and assess key attributes.
Request: Introduce a grid or table view where works within the same category (e.g., "paintings", "sculptures", "photographs") are displayed in a grid format. This view should include key details like title, artist, year, edition, and location, making it easier for users to compare works at a glance.
Download, Print, and Export Functionality
Description: Users need the ability to download, print, or export data from the platform, whether for creating physical catalogs, sharing details with clients, or generating reports for exhibitions. The lack of these export options limits the platform’s utility for those who need to work with data offline or in physical formats.
Request: Implement downloadable and exportable options for works, including the ability to export data in common formats (CSV, PDF, etc.), as well as a print function that formats the information clearly for physical printing (such as exhibition catalogs).
Artwork Detail Wireframes & User Testing
Another key page is the Artwork Detail. The artist & their studio need to see high definition visuals of the artwork, as well as key details to aid organization and planning. Below is feedback from User Testing.
Additional Information Added: Location, Owner, Fact Sheet
Description: Currently, there is limited visibility of essential details such as location, owner, and the fact sheet for each work. This information is critical for managing and sharing works, particularly in the context of exhibitions or collections management. Users often need quick access to these details to provide comprehensive context or documentation.
Request: Add dedicated fields for Location, Owner, and Fact Sheet to each work’s profile. These fields should be clearly visible and easily editable, allowing users to quickly access and update important contextual information about each artwork. The Fact Sheet section could contain key details such as provenance, exhibition history, condition reports, and other relevant documentation.
Improved Display for Artworks with Multiple Photos
Description: Some artworks have multiple images that need to be displayed in a way that doesn’t overwhelm the user. As more images are added to a an Artwork Detail page, it makes it harder to view all the information efficiently.
Request: Implement a new layout to display multiple images of a work while still viewing all the additional information requested.
Final Designs
Please view the Interactive Figma Prototype for desktop and mobile views.
After several rounds of feedback were incorporated, the final designs were ready to be developed. I worked closely with a dev team to provide direction and visual QA to ensure the final result matched the user needs and design vision.
Results
The MVP of the Digital Studio was successfully rolled out to our target artist, receiving strong positive feedback and demonstrating immediate value. The artist and their studio team were able to seamlessly plan and coordinate a global exhibition using the Digital Studio, which significantly streamlined their workflow and enhanced their creative process. Given the success of the initial rollout, the Digital Studio is set to be expanded, with plans to onboard three additional artists within the next six months, further solidifying its effectiveness as a transformative tool for artists and their teams.