The Royal Photographic Society
Date
September 2018
Role
Lead UX designer
Kit
Axure RP8
This project has a special place in my heart as it was the first project I led after joining my first agency. It was a difficult project as there were budget constraints and discovery was already done by another designer who left the business before I joined. The main goal of the project was to move the RPS from their unstable Sitecore page to the new Umbraco-based website while still giving them ways to express their artistic side.
The client was a charity with a vibrant legacy, the RPS recognizes the importance of keeping up with a rapidly changing landscape. Some of our guides and rules may seem a bit dated, affecting how we organize things like information. Embracing change ensures that RPS remains friendly, accessible, and aligned with the evolving landscape we're navigating together.
Design for Umbraco and flexibility
Crafting the UI for Umbraco involved a thoughtful approach centred on flexibility, ensuring that components were adaptable to varying client needs. I championed a mobile-first strategy, prioritizing responsiveness to guarantee a smooth user experience on diverse devices. This design philosophy allowed us to create components that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also inherently versatile. By building in flexibility, Umbraco's UI can effortlessly mould itself to meet the unique requirements of different clients, offering a tailored and user-friendly interface that evolves with their specific needs.
Keeping UI interesting
In close partnership with a skilled frontend developer, our mission was to encapsulate the artistic spirit of the Royal Photographic Society within the website's aesthetics. We collaborated on innovative features, one of which involved extracting the most vibrant color from each image to elegantly frame the content block around it. This approach not only enhances the visual appeal of the website but also serves as a friendly invitation, allowing users to immerse themselves in the vibrant and creative world of the Royal Photographic Society through a carefully crafted and visually pleasing experience.
Improving user journeys
Dedicated to enhancing user experiences, I diligently reviewed and improved user journeys to ensure a seamless and intuitive navigation process. By conducting in-depth analyses and incorporating user feedback, I identified pain points and streamlined pathways, aiming to create a more user-friendly and efficient journey throughout the platform. This iterative process involved optimizing interfaces, simplifying interactions, and prioritizing key touchpoints. The result is an improved user journey that not only aligns with user expectations but also fosters a positive and engaging experience, enhancing overall satisfaction and usability.
Validating information architecture
The RPS stakeholders already had information architecture laid out and ready for development. This was purely based on assumptions and involved no users during development. I suggested running tree-testing research to validate if their assumptions are correct.
Tree tests present a unique challenge for information architecture (IA) by removing visual cues found on websites. Users, relying solely on the IA structure, navigate to find information. Research indicates that tasks on visually guided websites significantly boost completion rates. Well-designed pages with clear navigation and structured content visually reinforce the site's structure, aiding user understanding.
For our client, tree testing results revealed incorrect assumptions and IA changes made over a year. The study emphasized the importance of ongoing user research, suggesting the need for deeper insights into user needs and behaviours. Further research will inform IA refinement, enhancing task completion rates and the overall user experience.
