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Bookify is an award-winning mobile app that delivers critically acclaimed books directly to your phone. It features an extensive library and free audio summaries, allowing users to easily expand their knowledge and perspectives. Bookify also connects readers globally, enabling social reading and rewarding users through quizzes.
PROJECT TYPE
UX/UI
ROLE
Researcher, Designer
YEAR
2020
TYPE
Concept
OBJECTIVE
Develop a unique reward program for Bookify to boost user retention and provide meaningful incentives. The program should reflect Bookify's innovative brand and offer a symbiotic relationship between rewards and the reading experience.
GOALS
1. Encourage users to choose Bookify over other free apps.
2. Foster lasting reading habits among Bookify users.
3. Develop a long-term engagement program to build loyalty.
PROCESS
I followed the Observe, Define, Ideate, Design, and Validate framework for this case study.
STEP 1 - OBSERVE
USER INTERVIEWS
To start the process, I interviewed seven co-workers and friends who are avid readers. These interviews provided insights into their digital reading behaviors and expectations for gratification, helping to understand their goals, needs, usage, motivations, and pain points.
USER PROFILE
Age: 20–40 years
Tech-savvy: Use mobile devices, Kindles, or other reading apps
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Reasons for Digital Reading
1. Access to reviews and discussions before purchasing books.
2. Convenience of having books available anytime on their device.
3. Avoidance of carrying physical books.
4. Personal growth and self-improvement.
Reading Habits
Most reading occurs while traveling, during office hours, in the restroom, when bored, and before sleep.
Rewards Expectations
Users expect extensive rewards similar to those in other apps (shopping, travel, grocery) that can be redeemed on core or third-party platforms.
USER CHALLENGES
Trigger & Reading Time
Users need motivation to start reading and prefer understanding the time required to read.
Engagement
Casual readers struggle to pick up from where they left off and seek features to motivate continued reading.
Rewards
Desire for flexible reward programs that can be used on e-commerce platforms.
PERSONAS
Based on the interviews, I created two personas:
Engaged Readers: Have clear preferences and rely on summaries or reviews before purchasing books.
Casual Readers: Follow popular trends and read what others are reading.
Casual reader user persona
FOCUS
I decided to focus on the "Casual Reader" persona, as most interview participants fit this category.
STEP 2 - DEFINE
HYPOTHESES
1. Read Along Feature:
Hypothesis: Adding a social reading feature, "Read Along," will significantly increase engagement among Casual Readers. This feature allows users to read with friends or like-minded people globally, earning Bookify points redeemable on various platforms. Notifications will encourage users by informing them of friends' progress.
2. Multiple Ways to Earn Points:
Hypothesis: Providing diverse earning opportunities will keep users engaged longer. Users can earn points by reading, playing quizzes, referring friends, reading to the visually impaired, and donating physical books. Points can be redeemed for discounts and offers on books.
STEP 3 - IDEATE
CONCEPT MODEL
I used concept modeling to brainstorm and visualize solutions to user challenges. This method is essential in my design process, helping me ideate and refine the reward program effectively.
A concept model for the solution. One of the many iterations I made.
LO-FI WIREFRAMES
Exploring ideas and flows using paper sketches.
STEP 4 - DESIGN
USER INTERFACE
I started visual designs based on wireframes and insights.
MY POINTS SCREEN
A detailed view of reward points earned and ways to earn.
Points overview card
Complete overview of total points earned with a happy message congratulating user and a link to view rewards.
Performance
1. Total time spent
This features rewards points to the users who achieve milestones defined by the app.
2. Audio heard
All books have audio summary for users to listen, the more audio is heard the points are earned.
Points summary
​This section gives overall information about reward point balance, your lifetime earnings and points redeemed till now and a quick access button to Claim rewards.
Earn Bookify points
Read along
Read Along is an exciting concept which allows you to invite your friends to read any particular book together and view each other's progress in real time.
Play Quiz
Play quiz with your friends or like-minded people, anytime based on your read book history. Earn points by winning the quiz.
Refer
Earn points by referring friends.
Read to visually impaired people
A social welfare initiative where users can find nearest NGO to visit and read books from Bookify to visually impaired people. This makes user feel like a responsible citizen and become a role model by appearing on Bookify apps leaderboard.
Donate physical books
Users can find nearest NGO to donate any physical books they have and help others change their life.
Bookify journey
A complete history of points earned and spent.
Bottom navigation
​Bottom navigation consists of Home, Books, My Points, Rewards and Profile.
REWARDS SCREEN - Books
Rewards screen gives users to choose all kind of offers and discounts.
Claimed Rewards
Claimed rewards can be accessed from top right and also from Profile section.
Help
When a user taps on this (?) icon next to the screen title, it will open a control center style Help screen which will help users understand rewards system to the users. This screen is explained in next section (see Help screen).
Category Tabs
The rewards page has variety of offers which is not limited to just books. User can choose to redeem their points on books, apparels, food, entertainment, etc...
Listen
user can listen to audio summary before buying it.
Points
Points available to redeem books.
REWARDS SCREEN - Third party offers
Rewards screen gives users to choose all kind of offers and discounts.
Category tabs
The rewards page has variety of offers which is not limited to just books. User can choose to redeem their points on books, apparels, food, entertainment, etc...
Offer cards
Big persuasive cards with product images and eye grabbing copy gives a unique experience of redemption process.
OFFER SCREEN
Offer screen details out all the information related to the offer like T&C, category, points required, share, expiry, more details and get the offer.
HELP SCREEN
Help screen to display all the information related to reward points:
- How to earn points
- Value of points
- Claim rewards
READ ALONG SCREEN
Read Along is an exciting concept which allows you to invite your friends to read any particular book together and view each other's progress in real time. The objective is to encourage competition among friends to complete the book first, achieve milestones during the course of the reading and win brownie points to redeem exciting merchandise.
The feature will allow users to
1. Invite friends to read a book together.
2. Track each other's progress report while reading the book
3. Stay ahead of your friend to keep winning extra points.
4. Keeps you motivated to finish reading the book, first!
5. Ignite discussion- Leave notes at any chapter during the reading, for your friend to read and share moments.
6. Set a deadline to keep everyone motivated.
7. Receive notification whenever your friend starts reading or moves ahead of you.
Stay ahead
A subtle nudge to make user read quickly so as to earn the points first.
Invite your friends
User can send this code to their friends via various social media options. This will also help user to earn reward points.
POINTS EARNED SCREEN
Screen to display points earned after buying a book, referring a friend, winning a quiz, and many other.
STEP 5 - TEST
VALIDATION
To validate the designs, I conducted usability testing with a group of ten users who fit the target demographics. The testing aimed to gather feedback on the usability, appeal, and effectiveness of the reward features.
TESTING PROCESS
Prototype Testing:
Users interacted with a clickable prototype of the app to explore the Read Along feature and various ways to earn points.
Feedback Collection:
I gathered qualitative feedback through post-test interviews, focusing on their experience, likes, and areas for improvement.
Data Analysis:
Analyzed the feedback to identify common patterns, usability issues, and areas for enhancement.
RESULTS
Positive Feedback:
Users appreciated the social aspect of the Read Along feature and found it motivating. The diverse ways to earn points were well-received, particularly the ability to redeem points on e-commerce platforms.
Areas for Improvement:
Users suggested minor tweaks to the user interface for better navigation and clearer instructions on how to earn and redeem points.
CONCLUSION
The proposed reward program for Bookify successfully addresses key user challenges and enhances engagement, particularly among Casual Readers. The Read Along feature and multiple point-earning opportunities foster a more interactive and rewarding reading experience. Usability testing confirmed the program's appeal and provided insights for refinement. By implementing these features, Bookify is well-positioned to increase user retention, satisfaction, and overall success in the competitive digital reading market.
THANK YOU :)
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