COVe
read effortlessly.
IDEATION
Cove was created to evoke serene and nocturnal imagery, as an overwhelming majority of over 80% read before bedtime. It also opens a lot of avenues visually - letting users tie the galaxy, skies, and stars thematically to reading while exploring the universes and endless possibilities books have to offer.
Opting into a lean UX design approach for this project helped me progress swiftly and complete this idea from start to finish in around two weeks. Although this was a solo project, having the feedback of other (non)designers willing to test my prototypes helped elevate my idea to a more realized finish.
CONCEPT
Cove is a digital application designed to help users track their internal library and reading progress online. Since reading can feel like an unprogressive and time-consuming hobby, especially for those without a set schedule, Cove is the one-stop app to get all your reading done and track your progress in real time.
CHALLENGE
A. Let users read, schedule, and record their progress all in one platform.
B. Create an equitable app where every person from any background can achieve their literary goals.
C. Design a minimalistic, engaging, and user-friendly app that's thematically homogenous and visually captivating.
Cove seeks to bridge the gap between literature and consumer by allowing all readers to access an online library. Unlike alternatives that prioritize profiting off a business model, Cove functions to serve the user through centralization.
A. Titles purchased belong to the customer permanently.
B. Check out a limited number of books for free, with no monthly charges or subscriptions. Visual and audio options are available in multiple languages.
C. Cove serves as a lifestyle app that goes beyond reading, but also touches upon education, documentation, blogging, and social media.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
After conducting extensive market research to see what other reading apps had to offer, I could fill common pain points and user needs.
Many apps serve one function particularly well, but stop there. After evaluating several products, I was able to deem which features were crucial, what to leave out, and how I could reach user goals other competitors couldn't achieve.
01
HOME PAGE
Here's where you'll land as you open the app. Not a fan of light text on dark backgrounds? No worries! Cove comes with a daytime feature as an alternative to the nocturnal imagery.
02
MAIN FEATURES
After being prompted to successfully log in, Cove will take you to the main page with three key features. Simply swipe up and down to rotate between features - no need for a widget bar, home button, or any extraneous features.
03
LIBRARY
A one-stop shop for all of your e-books, organized neatly based on individual preference. Visually impaired? Don't have time to read? Pick out an audiobook and come back later as Cove will bookmark and track your progress in real time!
04
CALENDAR
The calendar function serves to help traditional readers meet their quota through a streamlined record-keeping system. Can't afford to purchase an e-book or audio book? Don't sweat. Import existing books across different platforms into one app and set your own time and pace any time, anywhere.
05
PROFILE
Access and edit your profile page, connect with like-minded bibliophiles, or venture into forums on various educational topics. Cove tailors your needs through your daily habits and activities, becoming more than just a reading app, but a lifestyle app.
CONCLUSION
Working on Cove was a rewarding experience and I'm appreciative of what I've learned throughout the entire process. Creating a digital product from scratch has made me realize how difficult the whole process is regardless of how familiar you are with the subject matter. Making adjustments and iteration upon iteration is extremely crucial while understanding the needs of every user. I am blessed to have acquaintances who were willing to experiment with prototypes and inform me how I could achieve my goals of creating an user-friendly product that's minimalistic and visually captivating.