LitNest

LitNest was designed for my Mobile Application Design module. I worked with a group to research and understand the reading tracking behaviour of reading enthusiasts.

What is LitNest?

LitNest is a new book tracking and book "buddy" app designed to be an alternative to existing social cataloguing applications like Goodreads and StoryGraph. Its purpose is to help users track their reading activity and make it more enjoyable and collaborative. The app's name, LitNest, combines "Literary" and "Nest," reflecting its function as a place for readers to collect and organise their books.

What problems does it solve?

LitNest addresses critical usability challenges identified in popular reading applications like Goodreads and StoryGraph. We recognised that StoryGraph's user interface was often plain and counterintuitive, making navigation difficult for users. LitNest solves this by focusing on intuitive design, visually appealing interfaces, and improved app responsiveness, making features easily discoverable. Furthermore, Goodreads presented issues with inconsistent design elements and difficulties in finding certain functionalities. LitNest offers a seamless and consistent user experience throughout the app. A significant problem we tackled was the challenging process of initiating and adding users to "Buddy Reads" in StoryGraph, where the option was often hidden and adding users required precise usernames without visual confirmation. LitNest simplifies this entire process, making collaborative reading accessible and engaging for all users.

What advantages does it give the user?

LitNest provides users with several significant advantages, fostering a more engaging and efficient reading experience. It greatly enhances community and social interaction through seamless "Buddy Reads," which include unique spoiler-preventing, page-specific comments, allowing readers to share insights and discuss books without ruining plot twists. The app also offers opportunities to connect with other readers through a vibrant community feed and direct messaging. Users benefit from personalised book recommendations and efficient book tracking, enabling them to easily log and rate books, mark them as 'want to read,' 'reading,' or 'read.' A standout feature is the local book exchange option, which empowers users to save money and explore diverse genres by trading books within their local area. We emphasised creating an intuitive and visually appealing interface, ensuring clear system status visibility, helpful error recovery features, and diverse, interactive app frames. A centralised navigation bar ensures easy access to all features, contributing to a coherent, consistent, and highly user-friendly experience that actively promotes engagement and satisfaction.

View my complete project below: