MADD MOVIES - Movie Ticketing App
An accessible movie ticketing app designed to help users with low vision.
Role
Role
UX Designer, UX Researcher
Category
UX/UI
Duration
Apr 2022 - Aug 2022 | 4 months
Overview
Background & Motivation
My interest in human-centered design comes from my sister’s experience with dyslexia and low vision. Watching her struggle with everyday apps motivated me to design an experience that prioritizes accessibility and independence.
Problem
Many movie ticketing apps rely on small text, unclear icons, and visually distracting interfaces with poor color contrast. These design choices make it difficult for users with low vision and dyslexia to read content, navigate independently, and complete purchases without assistance or switching to another device.
Solution
MaddMovies is an accessible movie ticketing app designed to help users with low vision browse, select, and purchase movie tickets independently. Secondary users include individuals with dyslexia or other reading-related conditions.
Research
Prior to designing MADD Movies, I reviewed existing research on visual impairments and dyslexia to understand how color, layout, and instructions affect usability.
Why Accessibility Matters
- Approximately 14–43 million people in the U.S. experience dyslexia
- Over 14 million people live with significant vision impairment
- A significant portion of users rely on visual aids or accessibility accommodations
User Personas
Design Requirements
- Text must be adjustable in size and weight
- UI must prioritize clarity over visual noise
- Color contrast must meet accessibility standards
- Navigation and icons must be clear and easy to distinguish
- Users should be able to complete tasks independently without assistance
Competitive Analysis
I analyzed existing movie ticketing apps to understand how accessibility is currently addressed and where gaps exist for users with low vision and dyslexia.
Direct Competitors: Fandango & Atom Tickets
Indirect Competitors: AMC & Cinemark
Overview
Background & Motivation
My interest in human-centered design comes from my sister’s experience with dyslexia and low vision. Watching her struggle with everyday apps motivated me to design an experience that prioritizes accessibility and independence.
Problem
Many movie ticketing apps rely on small text, unclear icons, and visually distracting interfaces with poor color contrast. These design choices make it difficult for users with low vision and dyslexia to read content, navigate independently, and complete purchases without assistance or switching to another device.
Solution
MaddMovies is an accessible movie ticketing app designed to help users with low vision browse, select, and purchase movie tickets independently. Secondary users include individuals with dyslexia or other reading-related conditions.
Research
Prior to designing MADD Movies, I reviewed existing research on visual impairments and dyslexia to understand how color, layout, and instructions affect usability.
Why Accessibility Matters
- Approximately 14–43 million people in the U.S. experience dyslexia
- Over 14 million people live with significant vision impairment
- A significant portion of users rely on visual aids or accessibility accommodations
User Personas
Design Requirements
- Text must be adjustable in size and weight
- UI must prioritize clarity over visual noise
- Color contrast must meet accessibility standards
- Navigation and icons must be clear and easy to distinguish
- Users should be able to complete tasks independently without assistance
Competitive Analysis
I analyzed existing movie ticketing apps to understand how accessibility is currently addressed and where gaps exist for users with low vision and dyslexia.
Direct Competitors: Fandango & Atom Tickets
Indirect Competitors: AMC & Cinemark
Fandango
Feature rich but visually dense with limited text customization
Atom Tickets
Cleaner interface, but accessibility controls are minimal and non-obvious
AMC Theatres
Optimized for loyal users rather than accessibility needs
Optimized for loyal users rather than accessibility needs
Optimized for loyal users rather than accessibility needs
Cinemark Theatres
Simple purchase flow with minimal inclusive design considerations
Simple purchase flow with minimal inclusive design considerations
Simple purchase flow with minimal inclusive design considerations
Key Insights
Accessibility is treated as secondary rather than foundational
Users with visual impairments often rely on workarounds such as assistance or switching devices
There is a clear opportunity for an accessibility-first ticketing experience
User Flow
Design
Wireframes
Design
Wireframes
Design
Wireframes
Low Fidelity
Testing Results
Affinity Map
Findings from 5 moderated usability sessions were organized using affinity mapping to identify
recurring patterns in user behavior.
Testing Results
Affinity Map
Findings from 5 moderated usability sessions were organized using affinity mapping to identify
recurring patterns in user behavior.
Testing Results
Affinity Map
After two rounds of usability testing with five participants, findings were synthesized using
affinity mapping to identify key themes and insights.
After two rounds of usability testing with five participants, findings were synthesized
using affinity mapping to identify key themes and insights.
After two rounds of usability testing
with five participants, findings were
synthesized using affinity mapping to
identify key themes and insights.
Themes & Insights
Themes & Insights
Themes & Insights
Design Modifications
Design Modifications
Design Modifications
Design Modifications
Final App Design
Style Guide
Final App Design
Style Guide
Final App Design
Style Guide
Addition of "Tap To Zoom Feature"
To increase readability, this feature was added
Addition of "Tap To Zoom Feature"
To increase readability, this feature was added
Addition of "Tap To
Zoom Feature"
To increase readability, this
feature was added
Main User Flow
Main User Flow
Main User Flow
Final Prototype
Final Prototype
Final Prototype
Reflection
MADD Movies is personal to me because it helped me think from the perspective of my sister, who has visual challenges. I built it to support users with visual impairments so they can complete tasks confidently and independently.
This project strengthened my understanding of accessibility challenges and reinforced the importance of designing with empathy and inclusion. It pushed me to prioritize clarity and usability over aesthetics and to reduce cognitive load at every step.
Next, I would expand tap-to-zoom across more screens, add pinch-to-zoom for posters and visuals, and introduce voice search.
Overall, this project reaffirmed my commitment to accessibility-first design and showed me how thoughtful, human centered design can improve everyday experiences.
Reflection
MADD Movies is personal to me because it helped me think from the perspective of my sister, who has visual challenges. I built it to support users with visual impairments so they can complete tasks confidently and independently.
This project strengthened my understanding of accessibility challenges and reinforced the importance of designing with empathy and inclusion. It pushed me to prioritize clarity and usability over aesthetics and to reduce cognitive load at every step.
Next, I would expand tap-to-zoom across more screens, add pinch-to-zoom for posters and visuals, and introduce voice search.
Overall, this project reaffirmed my commitment to accessibility-first design and showed me how thoughtful, human centered design can improve everyday experiences.
