Information Architecture
Craigslist Redesign
Lead UX Designer
Eason Xing (PM)
Gene Wang (SWE)
Figma
Attention Insight
Summer 2023
Craigslist's current information architecture and design is outdated and inefficient. Through our user research, we found that users have a hard time trying to find information they wanted and that they would often experience information overload.
To provide users with a fast and inefficient way of navigating information through the use of tree testing and card sorting research methods.
For our preliminary user research we utilized both surveys and interviews to gather information about the users of Craigslist. With our survey results, we obtained 17 responses and found that most users had difficulties in using Craigslist to look for items and products. Following the survey, we conducted interviews on three participants and also identified some user pain points.
With our problems identified, we start by reorganizing the information architecture of the site. We conducted a total of six card sorting studies based on the major headings of Craigslist. This being: For sale, Discussion Forum, For Sale, Housing, Services, Jobs, and Community. There were a total of 5 participants that ran though all six card sort studies.
By using optimal workshop to conduct our card sorting study, we found that users that card sorted discussion forum, for sale, and service sections had more median categories. In other words, our participants took very different approaches in organizing the cards.
For our tree tests, we conducted two rounds with participants completing two of the same tasks each round. From the results of our first tree test, we made changes to the Information architecture accordingly.
We then took the iterated information architecture and did a second tree test on that. This is how it went...
After creating the first version of the prototypes the next step is to iterate on my designs... but how? As some other UX designers may have experienced before, sometimes it is very hard push PMs and executives to allocate time and effort to usability test.
How did I overcome this? I was able to utilize AI to help me identify hot spots where users would gravitate towards and some places they did not.
While serving as a great tool to explain design rationale to stakeholders. Through this iterative process, I was able to get continuous feedback and improve my designs.
In the end, the results look something like this...
UX/UI Design Intern
8 months
Information Architecture
Persona
Web Design
Prototyping
Research Team
Developers
Project Managers
Business Analysts
Craigslist's current information architecture and design is outdated and inefficient. Through our user research, we found that users have a hard time trying to find information they wanted and that they would often experience information overload.
Presenting to BMO executives on VR Project
Trying out the VR Prototype
Hanging with the team
To provide users with a fast and inefficient way of navigating information through the use of tree testing and card sorting research methods.
UX Designer
Erica Lee
Ishani Pandey
Michael Jiang
Figma
Optimal Workshop
4 Month
Craigslist's current information architecture and design is outdated and inefficient. Through our user research, we found that users have a hard time trying to find information they wanted and that they would often experience information overload.
To provide users with a fast and inefficient way of navigating information through the use of tree testing and card sorting research methods.
UX Designer
User Researcher
Miko Wu
Jinze Li
Ziyan Zheng
Xiangwen Li
Figma
4 Month
Craigslist's current information architecture and design is outdated and inefficient. Through our user research, we found that users have a hard time trying to find information they wanted and that they would often experience information overload.
To provide users with a fast and inefficient way of navigating information through the use of tree testing and card sorting research methods.
