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DURATION

Feb-Mar 2023

Design Role

UX/UI, Branding, User Testing

SECTOR

Art, Auction, Business

UX/UI Case Study

Mar.2023

Get your artworks

from

all around the world

01.

Introduction

The Product:

The Art Auction app helps buyers discover and bid on artworks from around the world. Users can join live auctions or submit offers directly on listed artworks and receive updates on their offer status. Clear navigation, detailed artwork information, and visual previews make it easier to explore and bid from anywhere.

Art buyers need a clearer way to discover artworks, understand bidding information, and track their offers. This project focuses on improving those interactions so buyers can navigate and bid with greater confidence. Pricing, artwork authentication, and delivery verification remain outside the scope of this prototype.

Problem Statement:

02.

Research

Interview

I conducted interviews with people ranging from first-time bidders to experienced art buyers, alongside a competitive audit, to understand the challenges of in-person and online auctions. Exploring different levels of experience helped me identify shared pain points and shape a clearer design direction.

What I Heard in Interviews:

“Auction fees are

expensive.”

High Cost

Investor

“Some auctions

require connections

to participate.”

Market Access

Investor

“The artworks at

auction are

too expensive.”

Artwork Prices

Student

“I often overpay

because bidding is

so competitive.”

Stress

Investor

“I’m not sure

I can trust

online auctions.”

Trust

Investor

“Both online

and in-person auctions

can have

poor presentation.”

Presentation

Art lover

“I sometimes have

to travel to

another city

for an auction.”

Travel

Art lover

High prices can

make artworks

feel out of reach.

Pricing

Student

The interviews revealed four recurring challenges.

User Pain Points

Time and Travel

Buyers spend considerable time traveling to auction houses and galleries.

Insufficient Information

Missing or unclear information makes it difficult for buyers to make informed decisions.

High Competition

Competition from other bidders can make it difficult to stay within a budget.

Authenticity Concerns

When buying from unfamiliar sellers, buyers may question the authenticity and provenance of artworks.

Interview Questions

What is your occupation?

Have you participated in an art auction? If so, how often?

What difficulties have you encountered when using art auction websites or apps?

Do you prefer in-person or online auctions, and why?

What features would you expect in an art auction app?

Personas

These personas represent two buyer perspectives: an art lover finding a piece for her home, and an investor balancing price, quality, and time.

Jane Grant

Graphic Designer

Art Lover

I want to buy a painting to decorate my new apartment.

Goal

I recently moved into a new apartment and want to find a painting for my home. As a designer, I draw inspiration from art, so I am exploring online auctions and galleries for a piece I love.

Pain Point

My schedule is busy, so I want to find a suitable artwork quickly and preview how it would look in my apartment.

John Will

Art Investor

Professional Buyer

I want to find valuable artworks at a fair price without overpaying.

Goal

I look for promising artworks from around the world at an appropriate price. I also want a more efficient buying process so I can spend more time with my children.

Pain Point

Online auctions are convenient, but I worry about artwork quality and delivery. Competitive bidding can feel stressful and make it hard to stay within my budget.

Competitive Audit

I compared three platforms across artwork discovery, navigation, and auction features to identify opportunities for this app.

Type

Competitor

Live Auction

Online Auction

Unique value

proposition

Artstorefrontsblog