AUG 2024
GOODREADS REDESIGN
Enhanced Task Efficiency by 30% and Achieved a 92% Success RatE
FIND YOUR NEW FAVORITE BOOK
PROJECT TYPE
REDESIGN
SCOPE
2 DAYS
Services
UI REDESIGN
TOOLS
figma
goodnotes
RESULTS AT A GLANCE
92%
task success rate
+23
system usability score points
33%
faster task completion by users
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The problem
Goodreads, while highly popular, suffers from an outdated design, a cluttered interface, and low contrast, which can be visually overwhelming. Many users expressed frustration with the outdated interface, the lack of clear navigation.
why does it matter?
The goal of this redesign was to solve these usability issues, modernize the interface, and make the app more intuitive and reader-centric, as the users struggle with inconsistent elements, and hard-to-find actions.
HEURISTIC EVALUATION
I followed Nielsen's 10 Heuristics to perform the evaluation, and several key issues emerged.
I observed varying button types, text hierarchy, and spacing, making it hard for users to identify interactive elements.
Inconsistent UI elements
The presence of many unnecessary social features (adding friends, following others) cluttered the interface, detracting from the book discovery experience.
Overloaded with
social features
Hidden information
Important elements such as recent searches and key actions were hidden, forcing users to remember where they had seen them.
REDESIGN GOALS
From the user research, I derived specific goals to simplify the interface, provide better personalization, and improve discoverability of books.
Modernize the visual design and give the app a minimal yet cozy feel.
Improve navigation by making actions easier to find and simplifying the layout.
Declutter the interface by reducing emphasis on social features.
Focusing more on the app’s primary function—discovering, tracking, and reviewing books.
visual design
For the color palette, I wanted to retain elements of Goodreads' original branding but with a modern, warm twist. I chose espresso brown, off-white, and sage green, creating a high-contrast, inviting, and cozy vibe that aligns with the app’s theme of books and reading.
For typography, I used Poppins for headings and Open Sans for body text. These choices were driven by the need for readability and visual hierarchy. Following Apple’s iPhone guidelines ensured a clean and consistent user experience across all devices.
KEY FEATURES REDESIGNED
hOME SCREEN
SEARCH
The new home page gives users immediate access to what matters most—current reads, reading challenges, and personalized book suggestions. I also added a section for discovering books by genre and top weekly picks, eliminating the original focus on social features.
My books screen
This page displays all of users’ current reads, with quick options to update status or leave a review. The page also neatly organizes books into "To Be Read" and "Read" sections, along with saved collections.
mY PROFILE
reading challenge
Redesigned to highlight the user's current reading challenge, previous challenges, providing an overview of their reading activity in a clean layout. The revamped page features a donut chart displaying progress towards the reading goal. Below, a list of books read this year is shown.
Book details screen
I emphasized clarity and ease of interaction. The redesigned page features a large book cover, key details (author, rating), and relevant tags, with sections for an overview and user reviews.
Challenges & Solutions
One of the main challenges was maintaining consistency across various screens while reducing the clutter from unnecessary features. To solve this, I removed redundant social features and refocused the design on book discovery and personal reading progress. Creating a minimal yet cozy aesthetic also required careful selection of colors and typography that would support readability and contrast without overwhelming users.
FINAL PROTOTYPES
HOME
SEARCH
my books
MY PROFILE
READING CHALLENGE
BOOK DETAILS
lessons learnt
simplicity enhances usability
Stripping away clutter and social distractions helps users focus on their primary goals like discovering and tracking books, resulting in improved task success and satisfaction.
Consistency is Crucial
Maintaining uniform UI elements like buttons, typography, and spacing reduces cognitive load, making interaction flows smoother and more intuitive for varying user types.
User-Centric Design Requires Validation
Real user testing uncovered nuanced navigation issues and confirmed the effectiveness of design choices, emphasizing iterative prototyping and feedback loops.
Visual Tone Impacts Emotional Connection
A warm, cozy color palette and balanced whitespace can strengthen users’ emotional engagement, reinforcing the platform’s identity as a reader-first space.
Let’s collaborate!
Let’s design something that makes people feel seen.