UX Case Study: MACC Mobile App
Challenge: Identify usability issues in the existing app and propose user-centered improvements.
Deliverables: Research summary, persona, task flows, wireframes, UI design, interactive prototype
Role: Product Designer
Project Overview
I redesigned the MACC mobile app for a local arts and culture center to better reflect its mission of connecting community through art. The original app was cluttered, hard to navigate, and didn’t highlight the creative work it supports. My focus was to improve usability, visual appeal, and user engagement through research-driven, iterative design.
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Problem Statement
The current app feels outdated and disjointed. Ads clutter the interface, buttons are bulky, and typography is inconsistent. Users struggle to find basic information about events or workshops, and artwork is barely visible. The app fails to capture the creative spirit or support the community-focused goals of the MACC.​
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Goals
Working alongside other visual and product designers, I aimed to:
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Showcase art and events in a clear, compelling way
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Improve navigation for finding exhibits and workshops
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Reduce visual clutter for a clean, accessible experience
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Encourage community engagement through intuitive flows
Empathize
Guerrilla Usability Testing
I conducted quick interviews and surveys with MACC visitors, artists, and locals to understand their needs. While I expected interest in event listings, people also wanted richer experiences—like artist profiles and virtual previews. Common frustrations included poor navigation, hard-to-find event info, and a lack of visual inspiration.
Sample Tasks:
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"Find details about an upcoming art show."
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"Sign up for a ceramics workshop."
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"Browse current artwork on display."​
Define
Affinity Map
I grouped user insights into three core needs: discover events, explore art, and join community programs. This clarified the biggest pain points and helped prioritize changes with the most impact.
Top 5 Pain Points:
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Event and workshop info is buried
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Visual design lacks creative appeal
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Art is underrepresented
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Navigation is confusing
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No clear way to join community programs
Personas
I developed four personas representing MACC’s key audiences. These guided decisions throughout the design process.
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Alex — 22, Artist
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Mark Reynolds — 44, Programmer
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Dr. Maya Patel — 42, Doctor
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Margaret Evans — 68, Retired Teacher / Artist
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User Journey Map
A detailed journey map for each persona was created to visualize their goals, actions, emotions, and pain points across touchpoints. This helped prioritize features that directly enhance user experience.
User Journey Storyboard
This storyboard captures key moments in Margot’s experience—from discovery to daily use—highlighting her goals, emotions, and touchpoints. It illustrates how the design supports her journey and ensures an intuitive, effective experience.
Ideate
Task Flow
I created task flows for two common actions users take on the MACC app:
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Finding information about upcoming art shows or workshops
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Exploring and viewing featured artwork
To identify where users were experiencing the most friction, I highlighted problem areas in the flow—such as confusing navigation and buried event details—to prioritize during the redesign process.
Prototype
Sketches
I sketched multiple layout options to address key pain points, focusing on clarity, usability, and MACC’s community-driven mission. These wireframes evolved through iteration into strong foundations for the final design.
Low-Fidelity Prototype
A clickable lo-fi prototype was built to simulate basic interactions and test flows.
Test
Hi-Fi Prototype
Building on the Lo-Fi wireframes, I developed high-fidelity prototypes that brought the new design to life. Below are side-by-side comparisons of key screens, showcasing the before-and-after improvements in usability and visual appeal.
Conclusion
After two weeks of research and iteration, the redesigned MACC app better represents the organization’s creative mission. Testing confirmed improvements in navigation, event discovery, and user engagement. The process reaffirmed the value of talking to users early and often, and prioritizing real-world feedback over assumptions.
Note: This project was conducted as a personal learning exercise and is not affiliated with MACC.