1. Introduction/Project Overview
2. Background/Topic Research
3. User Research
4. Analysis & Synthesis of Research
5. Persona(s)
6. How Might We Questions
7. Task Flows
8. Wireframes
9. Design Style Guide
10. High-Fidelity Mockups
11. Prototype
12. Conclusion
13. Citations
Welcome to the Getty Center’s identity project a creative endeavor aimed at revitalizing the institution’s brand presence. As a renown Edu cultural destination in Los Angeles, the Getty Center is committed to promoting art, education, and cultural heritage. In this project, we’ll explore innovative ways to enhance the Getty Center’s visual identity, reflecting its mission, values, and vibrant spirit. Amidst the stunning architecture and breathtaking landscapes of the Getty Center, this project seeks to capture the essence of creativity and inspiration that permeates every corner of this cultural oasis. By embracing the richness of artistic expression and the diversity of cultural narratives, we aim to create a visual identity that resonates with visitors, igniting their curiosity and fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts. This UX case study explores the digital experience of The Getty Center Museum with the goal of enhancing user engagement, improving navigation, and providing meaningful interactions through its website and mobile application. The project emphasizes user-centered design, usability, and accessibility to provide an inclusive and engaging digital platform for museum-goers, researchers, and tourists
The Getty Center is a world-renowned art museum located in Los Angeles, California. It is known for its impressive architecture, gardens, and collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. While the museum provides free admission, the digital experience for planning visits and exploring collections online has shown opportunities for improvement. Initial research included aheuristic evaluation of the current Getty Center website, analysis of competitor museum sites, and review of literature on digital museum experiences
Methodologies used included user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and screen observation. Key findings included difficulty accessing visitor information, inefficient browsing tools for the collection, a desire for personalized recommendations, and limited accessibility features. Participants expressed frustration with the mobile version and a lack of clear, intuitive structure.
We used affinity mapping and journey mapping to synthesize insights. The key themes were:Pre-visit Planning (users want clear hours, parking info, and an itinerary tool), On-site Experience(need for mobile navigation and real-time updates), and Post-visit Engagement (users wish to revisitor share artworks). Pain points included information overload, unclear CTAs, and lack ofpersonalization
Persona one: Sarah Michael
Sarah, 32 - Art Enthusiast
Goals: Explore new exhibitions, plan her weekend visit
Frustrations: Can't easily find parking info, overwhelmed by layout
Jason, 45 - Tourist with Kids
Goals: Find kid-friendly activities, easy navigation
Frustrations: Too much text, unclear wayfinding
1. How might we make it easier for users to plan their visit?
2. How might we help users discover and save artworks they love?
3. How might we improve mobile navigation for on-site visitors?
The museum gallery task flow enables users to seamlessly explore The Getty Center’s digital art collection. Starting from the homepage, users can navigate to the “Gallery” section where they browse artworks displayed in a visually appealing grid. They can refine their search using filters such as artist, period, or medium to quickly find specific pieces of interest. Selecting an artwork reveals a detailed view with descriptions, artist background, and related works. Users can then save favorites or share pieces directly from this view, making the digital gallery both engaging and user-friendly for casual visitors and art enthusiasts alike.4o
Inspirational imagery plays a vital role in enhancing the user experience of The Getty Center's digital gallery by evoking the museum's atmosphere and artistic richness. Images of the museum's architecture, serene gardens, and elegant gallery interiors help set a visual tone that communicates sophistication, creativity, and cultural depth. By incorporating photographs of visitors engaging with artworks and sleek digital interface designs, the UX case study reflects both the physical and virtual experiences the museum offers. These visuals inspire thoughtful design decisions and ensure the digital platform captures the same sense of wonder and exploration as an in-person visit.
This UX case study focuses on enhancing the digital experience of The Getty Center Museum by redesigning its website and mobile platform to better serve visitors, art enthusiasts, and tourists. Through comprehensive user research including interviews, surveys, and usability testing the project identified key pain points in visit planning, artwork discovery, and mobile navigation. The study introduced new user-centered features such as improved gallery browsing, personalized recommendations, and accessible mobile interfaces. Using personas, task flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups, the redesigned experience aimed to make information more accessible, intuitive, and visually engaging. The final prototype successfully addressed usability challenges and brought The Getty’s rich cultural offerings into a seamless and inspiring digital journey.
This UX case study set out to reimagine the digital experience of The Getty Center Museum, focusing on usability, accessibility, and user engagement. Through in-depth user research, analysis, and iterative design, we identified critical pain points in navigating the museum's website and mobile interface—particularly around visit planning, exploring collections, and mobile use on-site. By developing personas, crafting targeted task flows, and producing wireframes and high-fidelity mockups, we were able to prototype an enhanced user journey that is intuitive, visually appealing, and aligned with user needs. The results showed measurable improvements in user satisfaction and efficiency. Moving forward, the design could be expanded with features like augmented reality tours and deeper personalization to further connect users with The Getty’s world-class art and architecture.
Duke, L. L. (1983). The Getty center for education in the arts. Art Education, 36(5), 4-8.
Cuno, J., & Gaehtgens, T. W. (2012). The Getty Center: Research, Conservation, and Collections. Bulletin of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 65(4), 27-33.
Carrier, D. (2003). the art museum as a work of art: the J. Paul Getty Museum. Source: Notes in the History of Art, 22(2), 36-44.
Williams, H. M., Lacy, B., Rountree, S. D., & Meier, R. (1991). The Getty center: design process. Getty Publications.
