Overview
Overview
Sharead is a personal project inspired by a street library I came across in my neighborhood.
It is a platform that allows users to exchange second-hand books, connect with fellow readers,
and share recommendations, making reading more social, accessible, and affordable.
Sharead is a personal project inspired by a street library I came across in my neighborhood.
It is a platform that allows users to exchange second-hand books, connect with fellow readers,
and share recommendations, making reading more social, accessible, and affordable.
The problem
The problem
Buying new books can be expensive, and many readers end up with books they have already read, collecting dust. Street libraries offer a charming offline solution, but there are very few user-friendly apps for second-hand book exchanges. Readers need a simple, convenient, and trustworthy way to share and discover books in their local area.
Buying new books can be expensive, and many readers end up with books they have already read, collecting dust. Street libraries offer a charming offline solution, but there are very few user-friendly apps for second-hand book exchanges. Readers need a simple, convenient, and trustworthy way to share and discover books in their local area.
Goals
Goals
Create a platform that makes it easy to exchange second-hand books
Create a platform that makes it easy to exchange second-hand books
Build a sense of community among readers
Build a sense of community among readers
Help people read more while spending less
Help people read more while spending less
Ensure trust and transparency between users
Ensure trust and transparency between users
User Research
User Research
To better understand readers' needs and behaviors, I created a questionnaire and shared it with potential users through social media and messaging apps. The form included both multiple-choice and open-ended questions about book buying habits, preferences for second-hand books, and thoughts on book swapping.
To better understand readers' needs and behaviors, I created a questionnaire and shared it with potential users through social media and messaging apps. The form included both multiple-choice and open-ended questions about book buying habits, preferences for second-hand books, and thoughts on book swapping.
The Solution
The Solution
I designed a simple and social app for second-hand book exchange. Users can find books nearby, filter by condition, and chat with owners to arrange a swap. Profiles and recommendations help build a community around reading and sharing.
I designed a simple and social app for second-hand book exchange. Users can find books nearby, filter by condition, and chat with owners to arrange a swap. Profiles and recommendations help build a community around reading and sharing.
Getting Started with Sharead
Getting Started with Sharead
New users begin with a quick onboarding to learn about Sharead’s key features. After signing up or logging in, they’re guided through a few simple steps to personalize their book preferences — helping them get better matches and recommendations
New users begin with a quick onboarding to learn about Sharead’s key features. After signing up or logging in, they’re guided through a few simple steps to personalize their book preferences — helping them get better matches and recommendations
Book Matching
Book Matching
Sharead connects users by comparing their book wishlists and available books. When a match is found, users can send a request to start an exchange
Posting books
Posting books
Users can add a book by scanning the cover or entering the details manually. The app fills in the book information automatically. Users only need to set the condition and add a short description
Users can add a book by scanning the cover or entering the details manually. The app fills in the book information automatically. Users only need to set the condition and add a short description
Chat to Finalize the Exchange
Chat to Finalize the Exchange
Once an exchange request is received, the user can browse the requester’s book collection. If a match is found, both users can continue chatting to coordinate the exchange and finalize the details.
Once an exchange request is received, the user can browse the requester’s book collection. If a match is found, both users can continue chatting to coordinate the exchange and finalize the details.
Conclusions
Conclusions
This project allowed me to turn a simple idea into a meaningful digital experience. I enjoyed exploring how design can make reading more accessible and bring people together through shared interests. It also helped me practice user-centered thinking, from research to final UI. If I continue developing the app, I’d like to test it with a wider audience and explore new ways to encourage engagement and trust between users.
This project allowed me to turn a simple idea into a meaningful digital experience. I enjoyed exploring how design can make reading more accessible and bring people together through shared interests. It also helped me practice user-centered thinking, from research to final UI. If I continue developing the app, I’d like to test it with a wider audience and explore new ways to encourage engagement and trust between users.
This project’s journey ends here.
Ready to view the next one?
This project’s journey ends here.
Ready to view the next one?
