After we worked with Disney Publishing to bring readriordan.com to life, Rick Riordan, the celebrated author behind the Percy Jackson series, approached us to create a new website that aligned with his personal brand and supported his promotional efforts for ReadRiordan.com. The goal was to build an otherworldly and user-friendly, immersive platform that catered to his diverse audience of fans, parents, teachers, and young readers, while also providing him with full control over content updates. My role involved steering the design process, optimizing user experience, and ensuring brand cohesion.

Mission

To create an immersive, creative site experience that deeply engages Riordan’s large fan base.

Goal

We aimed to create more immersive site visitor experiences so fans could explore Riordan’s work beyond the pages of their books. We also set out to align the new site design with readriordan.com so that Riordan’s work has a more unified, cohesive brand appearance. And we wanted to improve content organization and site navigation so that users of all ages and types could easily find the books, resources, or information they sought.

Research and Audience Analysis

To address the project goals, we conducted in-depth research on the site’s diverse audience. Young readers sought an engaging and visually immersive experience. Older readers needed clear access to updates and book release information. Parents looked for detailed series information and resources, while teachers required classroom materials and lesson aids. These insights informed our design strategy, ensuring that each audience segment’s needs were met.

Design and Development Process

Information Architecture: We began by mapping the site’s content using sticky notes to visualize the structure and refine navigation. A streamlined main menu with expandable options was created to simplify exploration.

Interactive Elements: To make the site engaging, we incorporated animated SVGs and vibrant illustrations that resonated with Riordan’s storytelling style. The color scheme and visual elements were carefully chosen to align with ReadRiordan.com, ensuring consistency.

Content Management: Migrating the blog from Blogger to WordPress provided a robust CMS solution. Riordan gained full control over events, announcements, and book listings, empowering him to maintain the site independently.

Solutions

The redesign achieved several key solutions. The navigation was significantly improved, providing an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Interactive elements created a memorable experience for fans, drawing them deeper into the site’s content. The cohesive branding between RickRiordan.com and ReadRiordan.com bolstered the author’s online identity and promotional efforts.

Outcome & Results

The new website saw increased user engagement, with visitors spending more time exploring its content. Feedback from fans and community members praised the improved accessibility and aesthetics. Riordan expressed satisfaction with the site’s functionality, particularly appreciating his ability to manage content updates with ease.