Case Study Designing a customer-facing website

Project Overview:
As the Director of Design, I led the creation of a user-centric, visually engaging website for our company’s flagship product, developing both the branding and design elements. We aimed to improve customer engagement, simplify navigation, and create an intuitive experience that embodied our brand identity. We delivered a product that elevated customer satisfaction and conversion rates by implementing a structured design process and prioritizing user needs.

Challenges & Solutions

User Diversity: The site needed to cater to a wide demographic, from tech-savvy users to first-time visitors.
Brand Consistency: I developed a cohesive brand identity that could adapt digitally, introducing fresh elements to ensure the site felt modern.
Scalability: The design needed flexibility to support future growth and additional product offerings.

Process & Strategy

Research and Insights: My team conducted user research, including surveys, interviews, and usability testing, to understand customer needs and pain points. These insights helped us define the primary personas and user journeys.

Wireframing and Prototyping: We developed wireframes and prototypes, balancing layout clarity and aesthetic appeal. High-fidelity prototypes included interactions and animations for stakeholder previews and usability tests.

Visual Design and Brand Integration: I created the branding and design system, establishing a distinctive look with cryptid and mythological motifs to set the platform apart. This system, based on atomic design principles, included reusable components to ensure consistency and scalability.

Collaboration with Development: We maintained close communication with the development team through agile workflows. Having the developers at the table allowed for smooth handoffs, quick adjustments, and precise component implementation.

Results & Takeaways

Results:
The redesigned site launched on schedule, with positive customer feedback for its improved usability, unique visuals, and engaging design. Analytics showed a 25% increase in user engagement and a 15% boost in conversion rates in the first quarter post-launch. The scalable design system allowed the site to grow smoothly, supporting new product pages and features.

Takeaways:
This project underscored the value of structured research, cross-functional collaboration, and the strategic use of tools like Figma. By focusing on user needs, incorporating unique visual elements, and creating a cohesive brand identity, we delivered a website that met immediate goals and provided a flexible foundation for future growth.

In creating a visual language and atomic-based design system, I encouraged accessibility driven designs by defining the style guide contrast colors, typography size, and accessibility notation.