The Henry Ford Redesign 

The Research Process

Getting started by understanding our users and their needs.

The research process began with the crafting of the design analysis to lay out the plans for the analysis as a whole. User sampling was then conducted on-site at the Henry Ford and interviews were conducted. Additional interviewees included individuals met off-site who come from an Arab American background, as this was a people group central to the analysis due to Dearborn's demographics. In addition to cultural representation, digital accessibility was a key focal point of the interviews. Following the interviews, secondary research was gathered to support the group's findings.

This research suggested that increasing diverse representation (particularly among the Arab American community), restructuring the navigation system, and improving the overall accessibility of the site would create a space conducive to increased user inclusivity.

The Design Process and User Testing

Reimagining the user experience and bringing our ideas to life.

The next phase of the analysis was ideation, beginning with personas and journey maps followed by a redesign of the navigation system on which user testing was conducted.

Below is an image of the current navigation system that we aimed to consolidate and reorganize. The redesigned version consolidated all menu items into four categories.

A personality quiz was also developed and playtested on, which showcases a set of diverse figures and allowed participants to identify with these individuals who played a key part in American innovation.

Below are some highlights of the research and design process. You may click on any of the images to open them in full screen.

The Result

What steps have we discovered that can improve the Henry Ford's overall user experience?

The conclusion of the analysis was that increasing representation and improving the navigation system were the first two steps toward providing the intended benefits, which could in turn increase the Henry Ford's reach due to improved inclusivity.

The proposed redesigned navigation system and the "Which Henry Ford Here Are You?" quiz are seen below.

To read a detailed summary of the research and design process, please browse through the slideshow below.

My Role

The key aspects of the analysis I participated in are as follows:

• Design Analysis Planning (collaborative)

• Interview Moderation and Demographic Survey

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Findings

• Accessibility Considerations: Color Blindness Check

• Competitive Analysis: Qualitative Data and Report

• “Educator Omar” Persona and Journey Map

• User Testing: Recruiting, Coding Sheet, and Final Report (collaborative)

Project Timeline: September to December, 2023