All-in-one Art Platform
Duration
1-2 months. Continuing
My Roles
User research, prototyping, UIUX, graphic/visual design, functionality design, and branding.
Project Description
While managing WiroArt, an Airbnb-like platform connecting artists with high-traffic businesses, I consistently gathered user feedback through survey interviews. A predominant theme that emerged was the artists' frustration with the absence of a comprehensive online infrastructure to address their various needs, such as portfolio creation, setting up a merch shop, and receiving commissions.
Currently, artists navigate different services and platforms to meet various needs, expressing a desire for a unified solution. After extensive interviews, recognizing the demand from artists, our team has committed to developing an all-in-one art platform catering to the diverse needs of artists.
Problem background
The challenge
Artists face a myriad of needs: creating portfolio websites, online shops for artwork sales, using various services for merchandise, handling commission inquiries, and managing transactions. Moreover, they require a Linktree-like landing page to consolidate links for their social media bios. This fragmentation overwhelms artists, often dissuading them from utilizing such infrastructures.
Portfolio website
Merchandise service
Different merchandise
service
communication
method
The objective
An all-in-one platform is needed for artists to seamlessly address various needs, from creating portfolio websites and opening shops to sell original artwork along with merchandise, and receiving commission inquiries.
Research
Target audience
Individual artists across various disciplines, ranging from visual artists, illustrators, and photographers to designers, sculptors, and creators of digital art.
User interviews
Conducted interviews with 20 artists, aligning with the target audience personas, to gain deeper insights into their pain points and how they currently address their needs as artists.
Feedback
"Using different services/platforms for portfolio website creation, selling merch, receiving commission request, is definately a hassle."
"The subscription fees for portfolio website builders are expensive, and the cost doubles if I wish to incorporate payment acceptance functionality."
"Selling my own merchandise involves the tedious process of establishing a separate ecommerce shop, outsourcing merchandise manufacturing, managing orders, and handling returns—resulting in a considerable amount of hassle."
"Building a portfolio website essentially mirrors the functionality of showcasing my artwork on my Instagram feed, offering limited features beyond uploading pictures and providing basic descriptions."
"I wish there was a Linkedln-like platform made for artists where I can just easily show my portfolio, sell merch, and get connected with fellow artists & art enthusiasts"
"Due to the absence of a dedicated infrastructure for artists to manage commission requests, engaging in conversations and facilitating transactions through private methods like Venmo becomes challenging."
"I use services like Displate where I could upload my artwork to sell it in merch. It works, but the commission is too low"
"I currently use Linktree to put all of my different links, including my portfolio website, merchandise shops, DM link, etc. However, I find the need for a more artist-centric landing page caters to the needs of artists."
"I wish there was an ultimate landing page like Linktree but with built-in services including the portfolio creation, merchandize shop creation, receiving commission request, and a protected dm for various transactions"
Key takeaway
Key takeaway: Artists want an all-in-one platform that simplifies portfolio building, merchandise shop setup, original artwork sales, commission request reception, and professional networking. Therefore artists can use just one platform to fulfill all these different needs without having to utilize multiple services and platforms separately, thus avoiding hefty subscription fees & complications.
Problems of services currently used by artists:
Used as artist profile
While many artists rely on Instagram to establish their artist profiles, its lack of artist-specific features such as portfolio building and merch shop services prompts artists to use different services and link many links to their Linktree page.
+ The platform's vast user base and diverse content make it challenging for artists and art enthusiasts to connect effectively. Unlike LinkedIn, building professional connections on Instagram/tiktok proves to be difficult.
Used for portfolio creation
- hefty subscription fees
- unnecessary complications like domain connecting, SEO, etc.
- double the subscription fees to accept payment (e-commerce feature)
- viewers can't interact with the contents/portfolio
Used for selling
- hefty subscription fees $400+/year
- not suitable for portfolio creation > mainly for shops
- outsourcing & publishing products and dealing with orders are complicated
Used for merchandise
- not suitable for portfolio creation
- can't sell original artwork and other products, so they should use different services for that
- can't customize the store front
- too little commissions
Used as making transactions
- utilized as the primary means to engage in conversations with potential buyers or commissioners,
- the process of sending and receiving money through private transaction methods like Venmo creates discomfort for both artists and commissioners.
Based on the feedback, I have created a rough sketch of a customizable landing page where artists can create/showcase art portfolios and merch shops in minutes. - to show the concept.
And I showed this to the same pool of artists and asked if they would use this.
I asked artists,
"What if creating your art portfolio and a merch shop was this easy?"
You create an account,
Upload your artwork picture, add a title and description, show availability for the original artwork and price, and choose the merch you want to sell it for.
Then you publish!
Once published, your artwork will be showcased on your landing page, allowing viewers to explore the artwork, read its description, view purchase options, and make immediate purchases.
Compliment feedback
"This is fantastic. I would certainly use it if it were available."
"This is precisely what I've been looking for. If creating portfolios, setting up merch shops, and facilitating sales were this straightforward, many struggling artists currently juggling multiple platforms would readily switch to this solution and link it to their Instagram bios."
"This serves as an excellent alternative to Linktree, specifically tailored for artists with all the features curated to meet their needs."
"I wish" feedback
"I wish there was the protected dm feature similar to 'Fiverr.'
"I wish there's an option for people who visit this landing page to make comment or press like directly on that portfolio section."
"I wish there is a section while uploading my artwork to the portfolio section, allowing me to include additional images and visuals for a more comprehensive explanation of my pieces."
"I wish theree's an option to upload a short video talking about each artwork in my portfolio."
"I wish it has the experience section, similar to LinkedIn, where I can showcase my educational background, exhibition history, and other relevant experiences."
Key takeaway
Key takeaway: Artists were highly impressed by the seamless integration of portfolio creation and merchandise shop setup into one platform, praising its user-friendly process and interface. While the majority expressed positive feedback, some artists suggested additional features, such as a commission system similar to Fiverr, the ability to attach additional images and short videos to each portfolio piece, and the inclusion of a resume/experience section akin to LinkedIn.
Ideation
What kind of product should be created for these artists based on the feedback?
Mind mapping to crystalize artists' general needs.
Mind mapping to structure overall features of the product based on the artist's needs.
Core features
Landing/profile page
Akin to Linkedln profile page. Can link it anywhere like Instagram bio or job application.
Built-in resume/experience seciton
Akin to Linkedln, artists have separate section for their resume/experience section.
Artist can easily showcase their resume and put experience like exhibition history & education.
Built-in portfolio section
One touch portfolio piece adding system. Can set selling options while adding the piece.
When adding each piece, artsit have option to attach short video and additional visuals.
Built-in shop
Can easily set up shop and start selling original artwork and various merch.
App? or Web?
The platform should be developed as both a mobile app and a web interface, ensuring accessibility for diverse stakeholders. Similar to LinkedIn, users can download the app to establish their profiles, while the flexibility allows them to link their profiles anywhere. Additionally, those without the app can still view profiles and content through the web interface.
General workflows of how artists create their profiles and their followers visit the profile landing page.
Prototyping
Lofi interface/structure creation sketches
Storyboarding
Highlighting the challenges artists face and illustrating how our platform resolves these pain points effectively.
Painpoints of artists
Solution
Hifi prototype
Artist's profile page/ main landing page
Ultimate artist's profile page, serving as a customizable landing page, which artists can link to their Instagram bios. This page allows for multiple functions, including showcasing portfolios, highlighting experiences, selling merchandise & original artwork, and upload additional videos, and receiving commission requests.
Built in resume/experience section
A dedicated section for artistic experiences, allowing artists to showcase exhibition history, education, and related career achievements.
Built-in portfolio section
A dedicated portfolio section where artists can effortlessly showcase their artwork in a unified and organized manner.
Portfolio section adding process
Artists can effortlessly add new artwork to their portfolio section, complete with one-touch options for selling and selecting merchandise choices.
How people can interact with the artwork in the artist's portfolio section
People can easily click on each artwork in the portfolio section to see descriptions, purchase merchandise, and make comments.
Prototype simulation
Conclusion
Things I've learned
This project underscored the significance of user research, emphasizing the importance of asking open, unbiased questions to truly grasp the pain points of current solutions and uncover users' desires and needs. Throughout the UI/UX design process, I conducted numerous interviews with artists, gathering feedback at every stage of prototype development. Many insights from these interactions led to adjustments and pivots in the UI/UX design, resulting in a solution more tailored to their needs.
Moreover, this experience allowed me to refine my skills in creating visually appealing designs and user interfaces that facilitate easy navigation for first-time users. It required constant empathy and putting myself in the shoes of the main stakeholders to ensure that the product was genuinely useful and user-centric, rather than just personally appealing. This journey highlighted the importance of practicing empathy as a UI/UX designer in every aspect of the design process.
Future plan
The WiroArt development team is currently in the process of developing this interface and planning on launching it soon.