Boki - a centralized platform for discovering museum exhibitions with a tour guide
Boki - a centralized platform for discovering museum exhibitions with a tour guide
"Bianca’s mockups eliminate ambiguity. Every element is thoughtfully laid out, making it easy for developers to implement her designs with confidence, focusing on coding rather than clarifying details."
Talel, Software Developer
"Bianca’s mockups eliminate ambiguity. Every element is thoughtfully laid out, making it easy for developers to implement her designs with confidence, focusing on coding rather than clarifying details."
Talel, Software Developer
About
In Berlin, finding inspiring museum exhibitions can be a challenge, even with the city’s rich cultural scene. Boki was my personal project to simplify this process for art enthusiasts by offering a centralized iOS app to discover exhibits and guided tours that resonate with individual interests.
Problem
Working as a tour guide with a background in art, I noticed how visitors often left tours wanting more—a way to explore other exhibits and connect with guides who added depth to their experience. Yet, no cohesive platform existed to meet this need. I wanted to answer: How can we make it easier for art lovers to find relevant exhibitions and enhance their visits?
My Role
Leading this project from concept to design, I researched user needs, crafted personas, and developed a UX that would make Boki an intuitive, accessible platform for exploring Berlin’s art scene. My goal was to create a tool that not only helped users find exhibitions but also deepened their connection to art.
About
In Berlin, finding inspiring museum exhibitions can be a challenge, even with the city’s rich cultural scene. Boki was my personal project to simplify this process for art enthusiasts by offering a centralized iOS app to discover exhibits and guided tours that resonate with individual interests.
Problem
Working as a tour guide with a background in art, I noticed how visitors often left tours wanting more—a way to explore other exhibits and connect with guides who added depth to their experience. Yet, no cohesive platform existed to meet this need. I wanted to answer: How can we make it easier for art lovers to find relevant exhibitions and enhance their visits?
My Role
Leading this project from concept to design, I researched user needs, crafted personas, and developed a UX that would make Boki an intuitive, accessible platform for exploring Berlin’s art scene. My goal was to create a tool that not only helped users find exhibitions but also deepened their connection to art.
My contribution:UX/UI design, branding, user research, and interviewsKey metrics:Improved usability score by +5 points after testing, conducted interviews with over 10 users to refine user flows and validate design choices.TeamThis was a solo project, with additional feedback from a developer to ensure design practicality and ease of implementation.TimelineSept 2021 - Mar 2022
The Impact I Achieved
Uncovering Boki’s Potential in the Cultural Market
Uncovering Boki’s Potential in the Cultural Market
As I began exploring Boki’s place in Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene, I was pleasantly surprised to see just how much potential there was to bridge gaps in the existing market.
Through competitive analysis, I observed that most cultural apps offered broad listings but lacked the depth, personalization, and focus on museum experiences that I envisioned for Boki. None provided the opportunity to connect with tour guides, a feature I felt could elevate the user experience and make each visit more meaningful.
To validate these observations, I conducted user interviews and surveys. I discovered that 80% of users preferred in-person tours, and 75% were more likely to book if they knew about the guide in advance. This confirmed the value of integrating guide profiles and personalized recommendations into Boki.
As I began exploring Boki’s place in Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene, I was pleasantly surprised to see just how much potential there was to bridge gaps in the existing market.
Through competitive analysis, I observed that most cultural apps offered broad listings but lacked the depth, personalization, and focus on museum experiences that I envisioned for Boki. None provided the opportunity to connect with tour guides, a feature I felt could elevate the user experience and make each visit more meaningful.
To validate these observations, I conducted user interviews and surveys. I discovered that 80% of users preferred in-person tours, and 75% were more likely to book if they knew about the guide in advance. This confirmed the value of integrating guide profiles and personalized recommendations into Boki.
Uncovering a Key Insight: Participants Struggle to find museum exhibitions that cater to their interests
Through 1-on-1 interviews and surveys, I identified a critical gap: most users struggle to find museum exhibitions that cater to their interests. In the post-COVID landscape, participants highlighted the need for convenience, streamlined information, and a safe visiting experience, indicating a clear direction for improvements.
Through 1-on-1 interviews and surveys, I identified a critical gap: most users struggle to find museum exhibitions that cater to their interests. In the post-COVID landscape, participants highlighted the need for convenience, streamlined information, and a safe visiting experience, indicating a clear direction for improvements.
Bringing the Vision to Life
With the MVP priorities defined, it was time to put Boki’s design to the test. To determine if Boki could make booking a museum visit enjoyable, informative, and simple, I conducted a focused usability test with five participants, two of whom had been involved in our initial interviews. This allowed me to evaluate how well Boki addressed previously identified user needs.
The usability testing revealed three key insights that informed Boki's design:
Users struggled to find the settings for updating preferences, so we redesigned that section for easier access.
The "Buy Ticket" button directed users straight to payment, bypassing guide selection. I adjusted the flow to ensure users could choose a guide before checkout, aligning with Boki's focus on personalization.
To avoid urgency-driven language, I A/B tested the "Buy Ticket" button, emphasizing clear, neutral wording.
With the MVP priorities defined, it was time to put Boki’s design to the test. To determine if Boki could make booking a museum visit enjoyable, informative, and simple, I conducted a focused usability test with five participants, two of whom had been involved in our initial interviews. This allowed me to evaluate how well Boki addressed previously identified user needs.
The usability testing revealed three key insights that informed Boki's design:
Users struggled to find the settings for updating preferences, so we redesigned that section for easier access.
The "Buy Ticket" button directed users straight to payment, bypassing guide selection. I adjusted the flow to ensure users could choose a guide before checkout, aligning with Boki's focus on personalization.
To avoid urgency-driven language, I A/B tested the "Buy Ticket" button, emphasizing clear, neutral wording.
Meet the App - I’m Boki, lets find you a meaningful experience!
Meet the App - I’m Boki, lets find you a meaningful experience!
The For You space invites you to create a museum experience that’s uniquely yours. Curate your interests with ease, and connect with guides who enhance your visit by sharing hidden stories—about the artwork, the artist, and the creative process. With personalized guide recommendations and in-depth filters, each discovery feels tailored, making your museum visit truly memorable.
The For You space invites you to create a museum experience that’s uniquely yours. Curate your interests with ease, and connect with guides who enhance your visit by sharing hidden stories—about the artwork, the artist, and the creative process. With personalized guide recommendations and in-depth filters, each discovery feels tailored, making your museum visit truly memorable.
Personalized Onboarding: Discovery Tailored Just for You
As a first-time user, onboarding guides you in refining your preferences, narrowing down options to offer recommendations that feel like they’re from a friend who knows you well. This personalized start ensures that every suggestion aligns with your interests, setting the stage for a discovery experience that’s uniquely yours.
As a first-time user, onboarding guides you in refining your preferences, narrowing down options to offer recommendations that feel like they’re from a friend who knows you well. This personalized start ensures that every suggestion aligns with your interests, setting the stage for a discovery experience that’s uniquely yours.
Tone of voice
Participants in the usability test shared, "It's user-friendly; information is easy to find, and I know exactly where to go to make changes!". I crafted Boki’s style, voice, and personality with this feedback in mind to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable user experience.
Participants in the usability test shared, "It's user-friendly; information is easy to find, and I know exactly where to go to make changes!". I crafted Boki’s style, voice, and personality with this feedback in mind to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable user experience.
Business Impact of the Solution
Although Boki began as a passion project, I approached it with a strategic mindset, defining success metrics to evaluate its impact on both business outcomes and user value.
To measure the success of Boki, I focused on several key metrics:
Although Boki began as a passion project, I approached it with a strategic mindset, defining success metrics to evaluate its impact on both business outcomes and user value.
To measure the success of Boki, I focused on several key metrics:
Let's create thoughtful experiences, with care and intention,together.
Reach out 👋🏼 bianca.ioana.basan *at* gmail.com
Let's create thoughtful experiences, with care and intention,together.
Reach out 👋🏼 bianca.ioana.basan *at* gmail.com
Let's create thoughtful experiences,with care and intention, together.
Reach out 👋🏼 bianca.ioana.basan *at* gmail.com