ArtsWave App
Date:
01/24-ongoing
Project Team:
Project Management, Design Research and XD: Jeni Barton
Development: Atomic Robot and Artsopolis
Marketing: AGAR
Available on the Apple and Android App Stores.
Abstract
The ArtsWave App connects Cincinnati residents with arts and entertainment in a modern, mobile-friendly way, making it easier to discover and engage with events. By personalizing recommendations and providing exclusive content, the app fosters a sense of community while increasing participation in the arts. It also digitizes the ArtsWave Pass, boosting donor retention and benefiting arts organizations by driving ticket sales and attendance.
Research
The research for the ArtsWave App involved a comprehensive analysis of local digital event calendars, including a feature audit. Surveys of existing ArtsWave donors, in-person UX workshops and discovery sessions helped identify desired interactive features. Additionally, consumer research was conducted to assess product demand, branding, and marketing strategies.
Findings indicated that ArtsWave’s online events calendar offered the most dynamic features and strongest design among local options but struggled to compete in an oversaturated market with over 50 regional online event calendars. However, the research also identified a significant opportunity to become the first Cincinnati-focused events app, filling a gap in the region’s digital arts and entertainment ecosystem.
Consumer research confirmed a strong demand for a centralized events app, reinforcing the need for a single, trusted source for arts and entertainment information. It also confirmed Insights from donor surveys and UX discovery sessions further shaped the app’s development, helping refine entertainment categories and interactive features to optimize user experience and engagement.
Personas and User Journey Maps
To ensure the ArtsWave App meets the needs of its diverse users, we developed personas representing different audience segments. These include existing ArtsWave donors, Cincinnati residents seeking arts and entertainment experiences, and newcomers or visitors looking to explore the city’s vibrant cultural scene. Understanding these unique user journeys helped shape the app’s design and features. Explore some of our persona journey maps below to see how the app enhances arts engagement for different users.
The Design Process
Building on extensive research, we developed a prototype that laid the foundation for the ArtsWave App. ArtsWave then partnered with Atomic Robot to bring the final product to life, working in agile two-week sprints. ArtsWave led the concept and experience design, ensuring the app met user needs and aligned with our vision. The development timeline was closely tied to API advancements by Artsopolis, requiring seamless collaboration between ArtsWave and both development partners to integrate features and optimize performance.
User Testing
We conducted user testing with ArtsWave staff, existing donors, local residents, and our accessibility advisor from the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. This process included in-person observations and surveys to gather valuable feedback on the app’s functionality and user experience.
Testing revealed that existing ArtsWave donors preferred to log in using their ArtsWave website credentials rather than creating a separate app account. However, to activate in-app donor benefits in the API, all users must create an app account. In response, we updated the sign-up screen’s language and adjusted marketing materials to clarify this process, leading to a noticeable decrease in user confusion.
As new users continue to download the app, user testing remains an ongoing priority. Insights from real-world usage help us refine existing features and inform future improvements, ensuring the best possible experience for all users.
Product Outcomes and Future Development
In just three months, the ArtsWave App surpassed 10,000 downloads—a milestone that fewer than 5% of apps ever reach. With an average of 284 daily users and over 1,500 events discovered each week, the app is already making a significant impact in connecting people to Cincinnati’s arts and entertainment scene.
Looking ahead, we’re exploring new features like GPS-enabled event check-ins and gamification elements such as points and leaderboards. These enhancements would create fun, interactive ways to engage with the arts while providing additional benefits for users who support the cultural community.
Read more about it here:
https://www.artswave.org/discover/artswave-app
https://moversmakers.org/2024/10/01/artswave-launches-mobile-app-ahead-of-blink/
https://www.citybeat.com/arts/the-new-artswave-app-is-your-guide-to-cincinnatis-art-scene-18268435
https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/never-miss-a-show-with-the-new-artswave-app/