Project details
Client:
Goodreads
Tool:
Figma
Goodreads: Case Study
This UX/UI case study explores the complete redesign of the Goodreads mobile app, one of the most widely used platforms for book lovers around the world. The project was independently initiated by a team of three UX/UI designers with the goal of simulating a real design team experience. The challenge was to rethink the app’s interface and functionality to address significant usability, accessibility, and engagement issues. Through in-depth research, competitive analysis, ideation, and prototyping, the study presents a comprehensive approach to enhancing Goodreads' user experience.
Goals
User-Centered Redesign: Rebuilding the app's structure to simplify navigation and reduce friction in key user flows, such as tracking reading progress, discovering books, and joining challenges.
Accessibility Optimization: Identifying and correcting WCAG violations to create a more inclusive app experience.
Community Engagement: Enhancing the social features of the app to foster interaction between readers, including the ability to add friends more easily and join reading groups.
Feature Enhancement: Introducing functionalities such as Goodreads Wrapped, personalized challenges, and a “Graveyard” shelf for unfinished books based on user feedback.
Data-Driven Design: Conducting surveys and user research to inform design decisions and prioritize real user needs over assumptions.
Goals
User-Centered Redesign: Rebuilding the app's structure to simplify navigation and reduce friction in key user flows, such as tracking reading progress, discovering books, and joining challenges.
Accessibility Optimization: Identifying and correcting WCAG violations to create a more inclusive app experience.
Community Engagement: Enhancing the social features of the app to foster interaction between readers, including the ability to add friends more easily and join reading groups.
Feature Enhancement: Introducing functionalities such as Goodreads Wrapped, personalized challenges, and a “Graveyard” shelf for unfinished books based on user feedback.
Data-Driven Design: Conducting surveys and user research to inform design decisions and prioritize real user needs over assumptions.
Goals
User-Centered Redesign: Rebuilding the app's structure to simplify navigation and reduce friction in key user flows, such as tracking reading progress, discovering books, and joining challenges.
Accessibility Optimization: Identifying and correcting WCAG violations to create a more inclusive app experience.
Community Engagement: Enhancing the social features of the app to foster interaction between readers, including the ability to add friends more easily and join reading groups.
Feature Enhancement: Introducing functionalities such as Goodreads Wrapped, personalized challenges, and a “Graveyard” shelf for unfinished books based on user feedback.
Data-Driven Design: Conducting surveys and user research to inform design decisions and prioritize real user needs over assumptions.
Results
The redesigned app offers a unified and modern user interface, replacing visual inconsistencies and disorganized layouts with a clean and coherent design.
The new Explore section merges search and discovery into a single space, allowing users to find books, authors, and friends more intuitively.
Features like Goodreads Wrapped, reading stats, and custom challenges boost motivation and long-term engagement among different types of readers—from casual to goal-driven.
Accessibility improvements included better contrast, scalable text, and larger touch targets, creating a more inclusive mobile experience.
Results
The redesigned app offers a unified and modern user interface, replacing visual inconsistencies and disorganized layouts with a clean and coherent design.
The new Explore section merges search and discovery into a single space, allowing users to find books, authors, and friends more intuitively.
Features like Goodreads Wrapped, reading stats, and custom challenges boost motivation and long-term engagement among different types of readers—from casual to goal-driven.
Accessibility improvements included better contrast, scalable text, and larger touch targets, creating a more inclusive mobile experience.
Results
The redesigned app offers a unified and modern user interface, replacing visual inconsistencies and disorganized layouts with a clean and coherent design.
The new Explore section merges search and discovery into a single space, allowing users to find books, authors, and friends more intuitively.
Features like Goodreads Wrapped, reading stats, and custom challenges boost motivation and long-term engagement among different types of readers—from casual to goal-driven.
Accessibility improvements included better contrast, scalable text, and larger touch targets, creating a more inclusive mobile experience.