Develop a library module with hybrid interactions that allow easier access and knowledge sharing within the community.

My Role

My Role

UX research
UX & System design
Experience design
UI design

1 PM
3 Designers

Client

Enso Village

Duration

16 weeks

Team

Intro

Challenges

01. Context

Enso Village is a Zen-inspired senior living community that provides mindful living and contemplative care.

They are incorporating a community management platform for residents to access all village services. The project aims to develop a library module facilitating residents' navigation in the open-space library.

No librarian resources to provide immediate assistance

Help residents build new  connections through reading in the community

Help residents build new  connections through reading in the community

Provide a smooth digital experience tailored for elderly users

“ We don't want to use a whole space for a lot of dusty, moldy old books. we're on the cutting edge of relating to the written word in a different way.
Let's deconstruct the library.”

- Enso Village team

Enso Village is a Zen-inspired senior living community that provides mindful living and contemplative care.

They are incorporating a community management platform for residents to access all village services. The project aims to develop a library module facilitating residents' navigation in the open-space library.

Provide a smooth digital experience tailored for elderly users

No librarian resources to provide immediate assistance

Digital library module

Physical space interaction

A new chapter

A hybrid self-sufficient library service, combining both digital and physical touchpoints, guarantees straightforward access to the library and encourages building connections within the community.

Residents can access the new library module through the Enso Village community management platform.

Implemented a color-coded system on both bookshelves and book labels to provide a smoother user experience and enhance search efficiency.

02. Solution

Integrated designs to provide a smoother experience

04. Key insights

Ways to help foster connections between users

Design the app and physical touchpoints to offer a seamless and emotionally resonant reading experience for seniors.

Create an environment and functionalities that encourage interactions and build new connections among residents.

Apply straightforward and clean designs to facilitate independent navigation

Incorporate simplicity and familiarity into the designs and user flow, ensuring easy navigation for elderly users.

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Value physical connections with books and library

Ways to help foster connections between users

Apply straightforward and clean designs to facilitate independent navigation

Digital library module

Meet the residents

Synthesis

Barbara

Alex

Susan

Claire

“The whole point of being in a senior residence is to have relationships and to have support.”

"I value that it is a place where we can face the change that happens as we age together."

"I think we're pretty entitled and like to have things our own way, but what's the intersection of individuality and doing things our own way and community values?"

“Part of the challenge of letting go of the books is letting go of that part of our identity.”

"That's what a library is, it's bringing people together in a setting where there's a lot of books."

"Book clubs have been a huge part of my life. Sharing ideas with friends is a vital part of my life."

“I would not like the digital, I think a lot of us who are not so digital about our reading habits.”

"When you return a book you're supposed to drop it in a basket at the end, so somebody else does the reshelving."

User Research

Interviewed 7 future residents and utilized co-creation activities to gain a better understanding of their preferences and reading behaviors.

  • Age: 65~80

  • Background: The majority of them have higher educational backgrounds, having retired from diverse fields such as psychology, teaching, art, etc.

  • Familiarity with tech: 70% of them are tech-savvy (iOS v.s Andriod: 65% v.s 35%)

Applied affinity mapping to cluster similar experiences and thoughts from each interviewee according to various topics.

03. Design process

See Figma file >