My interest in library user experience began during my time as a graduate student in UMSI’s User Research and Design program, where I led a wayfinding project for our client, Michigan State University. I remember the satisfaction of that work, the moment when a confusing hallway or redundant sign stopped being a mystery and became a design problem I could solve. Wayfinding is like a puzzle. You’re not just making something pretty, but you’re translating the physical space language into a language that a stranger can understand in under five seconds. That project sparked my appreciation for user experience design in public-facing institutions like libraries, where thoughtful design can make people feel more confident, welcome, and supported. So when I saw the opportunity to continue that kind of work at the University of Michigan Library, I immediately knew how I wanted to spend my summer.
What I didn't realize going into the Summer Fellowship in Library User Experience was just how much there was to uncover about wayfinding within the University of Michigan Library system. Hatcher Graduate Library, in particular, has a fascinating history that is reflected in its physical layout, making navigation a unique challenge for visitors. Rather than functioning as a single, unified building. Hatcher is more like three interconnected spaces with Hatcher North, Hatcher South and the central stacks where each one has its own quirks. The North and South buildings use different floor numbering systems and direct connections between them are limited, with the only continuous public path running through Floor 2. It quickly became clear that many of the navigation challenges weren’t caused by a lack of signage alone, but by the complexity of the building itself.
Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to review previous wayfinding studies, meet with employees from across the library system, talk with circulation staff who see navigation struggles firsthand, and hear directly from visitors about their experiences. Every conversation offered a new perspective, and I genuinely enjoyed piecing together those insights to understand not just where people got lost, but why. These insights ultimately informed the design of three conceptual wayfinding kiosk prototypes, each exploring a different level of user interaction while sharing the same goal, which is helping visitors navigate Hatcher with greater confidence. Designing the concepts challenged me to think carefully about how floor plans, landmarks, building connections, and step-by-step guidance could work together to create a more intuitive experience. It reminded me that good user experience begins with listening, observing, and understanding before jumping to solutions.
The fellowship reinforced why I’m drawn to designing experiences for public-facing institutions. Libraries are spaces for everyone, therefore, each person arrives with different goals, experiences, and expectations; however, the space should feel intuitive and welcoming for all. By the end of my fellowship summer, I found myself noticing wayfinding everywhere. What once seemed like ordinary signs and maps now tell a much larger story about how people interact with the world around them. This fellowship not only strengthened my research and design skills, but also deepened my appreciation for the invisible design decisions that quietly help people feel confident, capable, and welcome. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity and excited to carry these lessons into whatever I design next.