Claude Moore Health Sciences Library

UX Research & Design Case Study

 

Project Overview

Led the complete redesign of UVA's Claude Moore Health Sciences Library website, focusing on improving user experience for clinicians, students, and faculty while modernizing the interface and implementing UVA Health brand standards.

Role(s)

  • UX/UI Designer

Challenge

The existing library website needed significant updates to:

  • Improve search functionality and navigation

  • Provide better access to critical resources for different user groups

  • Modernize UI while maintaining brand compliance

  • Optimize content organization and layout

  • Enhance overall usability

Process

Research Design & Planning

Research Tools Selection

  • Google Analytics for quantitative usage data

  • SiteImprove for accessibility and usability metrics

  • Userbrain.com for unbiased external feedback

  • In-person testing protocols for direct user observation

Competitive Analysis Framework

  • Identified key university libraries for benchmarking

  • Created evaluation criteria for design components

  • Documented best practices and successful patterns

Strategic Planning

  • Developed comprehensive research strategy combining multiple data sources

  • Created detailed test plans for different user groups

  • Established success metrics and KPIs

  • Designed testing scripts and tasks

Stakeholder Collaboration

  • Coordinated with library staff for access to users

  • Aligned research goals with stakeholder objectives

  • Created feedback loops for continuous improvement

  • Established regular check-ins with key stakeholders

 

Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research

  • Coordinated and conducted in-person usability tests with:

    • Students

    • Staff members

    • Librarians

    • Faculty

  • Utilized Userbrain.com for external user testing to gather unbiased feedback

  • Collected feedback on both:

    • Existing website pain points

    • New prototype iterations

Quantitative Research

  • Analyzed Google Analytics data to understand:

    • Most accessed resources

    • Common user paths

    • Drop-off points

    • Search patterns

  • Used SiteImprove to evaluate:

    • Accessibility scores

    • Usability metrics

    • Technical performance

  • Conducted competitive analysis of other university library websites

 

Research Methodology

Early Phase

  • Unmoderated remote testing via Userbrain.com

  • Analysis of existing analytics data

Mid Phase

  • In-person moderated testing at the library

  • Interactive prototype testing

  • Stakeholder interviews

Late Phase

  • A/B testing for design validation

  • Accessibility testing

  • Performance benchmarking

Design Process

Technical Implementation

  • Collaborated with SpringShare engineers

  • Built bootstrap-compatible framework

  • Created development-ready components

  • Provided technical documentation and specifications

Mockups & Prototypes

Created wireframes and prototypes based on research findings

  1. Developed 2-3 design concepts for stakeholder review

  2. Implemented iterative design improvements based on feedback

  3. Ensured ADA compliance and accessibility

  4. Maintained UVA Health brand standards

Outcomes

 

Improved Navigation

  • Streamlined information architecture

  • Enhanced search functionality

  • Better resource accessibility

User-Centric Design

  • Tailored interfaces for different user groups

  • Improved content organization

  • Enhanced user flow

Modern Interface

  • Updated visual design

  • Brand compliance

  • Responsive layout

Accessibility

  • ADA compliant design

  • Inclusive user experience