Creating features, pages, and sections from scratch. Designing a website that accurately reflects a growing and innovative tech company, from concept to prototype.

Stage 1: Features Assignment

During my summer term, I was entrusted with several key design tasks that significantly contributed to the project’s overall user experience. My primary responsibilities included:

• - Conducting a comprehensive design critique and implementing targeted edits on the homepage.

• - Developing an interactive voice feature aimed at enhancing the homepage’s user engagement.

• - Leading the design of a blog section, encompassing both the blog page and the gallery layout.

• - Creating user-friendly forms for the contact page to streamline user interaction.

• - Redesigning the website footer to ensure cohesive branding and functionality across all pages.

Stage 2: Concept Development and Design Process

My design approach evolved depending on the scope of the task, whether I was developing full features or refining individual components within existing pages. However, my overall process blends the structured approach of the Double Diamond with the user-focused flexibility of Design Thinking. This ensures that each project I undertake is both creative and grounded in real user needs.

1. Discovery & Definition: Understanding the Problem

I start by diving deep into the problem space, empathizing with users through research methods like interviews and market analysis. The insights gathered help me define a clear, actionable problem statement, setting the stage for targeted ideation.

• Key Focus: User research, problem framing.

2. Ideation & Development: Crafting Solutions

With the problem clearly defined, I brainstorm and sketch out potential solutions. I quickly move into prototyping, creating early versions to test with users. Feedback from these tests informs iterative refinements, ensuring the solution evolves effectively.

• Key Focus: Prototyping, user testing, iteration.

3. Refinement & Delivery: Bringing Ideas to Life

The final phase involves refining the design based on continuous user feedback and preparing it for implementation. I work closely with developers to ensure that the vision is realized, while also conducting final usability tests to confirm the design meets user needs.

• Key Focus: Design refinement, developer collaboration, final testing.

Stage 3. Hero Section and Features

I created detailed wireframes and interactive prototypes using Figma, with a strong focus on delivering an inviting and user-friendly interface. The chosen colour palette and typography were carefully selected to reflect the website's services and products, contributing to a cohesive, professional, and innovative visual identity.

Stage 4: Developing the Forms:

When tasked with creating the forms for the website's contact page, I faced the unique challenge of balancing functionality with the client's desire for constant iteration. The forms needed to be straightforward and user-friendly, but also reflective of the brand's identity.

To achieve this, I began by designing clean and intuitive layouts, focusing on ease of use and accessibility. The challenge was incorporating the brand's visual elements without compromising the simplicity required for an effective form. Through iterative design reviews with the client, I refined the forms to subtly integrate brand colors and typography while maintaining a clear and functional design. Each iteration brought new insights, allowing me to strike a balance between a visually appealing form and one that serves its primary purpose efficiently.

Stage 5: Redesigning the Footer:

The footer redesign presented a similar challenge. As a section meant to provide essential information and links, it required a minimalistic approach. However, the client also wanted it to be visually engaging.

My approach was to start with a straightforward structure, ensuring that navigation was clear and all necessary information was easily accessible. Incorporating branding elements, such as the logo and brand colors, was initially difficult as they risked cluttering the design. To overcome this, I experimented with different layouts and colour palettes that subtly echoed the brand’s identity without overwhelming the footer’s functionality.