STAR LAB

Building a booking platform for a mobile planetarium, making it easier for teachers and event planners to schedule immersive learning experiences.

Problem

Star Lab was a mobile planetarium service that brought immersive space experiences to schools and events across the UK. Its outdated booking process made it difficult for teachers and event planners to find key information, check availability, and book with confidence.

The challenge was to build a new online booking portal from scratch, creating a smooth, intuitive experience that reflected the excitement of the planetarium while making the process simple for busy educators and organisers.

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Process

Following a build-measure-learn, research-design-test framework, the design process began with understanding the needs of teachers and event planners. Research showed that while many were interested in the experience, they struggled with the existing booking system.

Users needed a quick and clear way to check availability, easily digestible information about logistics, and a booking process that required minimal effort. With these insights, the new portal was designed to prioritise a structured and conversion-focused user journey.

Content was refined to provide reassurance and clarity. Key details, such as space requirements and session formats, were made instantly accessible without overwhelming potential customers. The site was designed to balance excitement with a professional and practical interface.

Iterations

During testing, some users struggled to fully understand the booking process at a glance. While the new system was functional, uncertainty remained, particularly for first-time users unfamiliar with the planetarium experience.

To address this, interactive trailers were introduced to visually explain what to expect and how to prepare for a visit. These trailers built confidence in the process and reduced hesitation. Availability was made more prominent, and the booking journey was further streamlined to remove unnecessary friction.

The overall aesthetic of the site was designed to be clear and practical while retaining a sense of wonder. Language was simplified, and navigation was refined to ensure that users could find information quickly and complete bookings effortlessly.

Final Design

The completed Star Lab portal provided a mobile-friendly booking experience tailored to the needs of teachers and event planners. The homepage clearly communicated what Star Lab was and why it was valuable, while the booking system streamlined the process with clear availability, pricing, and step-by-step guidance.

The addition of visual trailers helped demystify the experience, improving user confidence and reducing confusion. The final design balanced accessibility and engagement, making the booking process as seamless as possible.

Impact

The new Star Lab site transformed the booking journey, making it easier for teachers and event planners to understand, plan, and confirm a visit. The improved clarity, accessibility, and streamlined process increased confidence in the service and made the experience more efficient.

Although Star Lab is no longer available, the platform’s research-led, iterative design approach demonstrated the impact of thoughtful UX, ensuring that the final product met the needs of its users while maintaining a strong sense of engagement and ease of use.

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STAR LAB

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UX & UI DESIGN

• STAR LAB • UX & UI DESIGN

CLAW & CANVAS

CURIOSITY STORE