2017 Website Re-Design

Summary

I re-designed my 2017 personal website using a user-centered approach, improving brand clarity and site usability.

My responsibilities

I interviewed many people to understand what their needs were. I then sketched, wire framed, and designed all aspects of the 2017 version of my website. I did not code the website, and opted for a software as a service website building application. That being said, I did modify the site using HTML and Javascript.  

Skills

Design Thinking, Rapid Prototyping, Branding, Visual Design, Graphic Design, Web Design.

Tools

Sketch App, Pen & Paper, Adobe Photoshop, Squarespace.

Project Details

Problem 

In the fall of 2016, I built the third iteration of my personal website and portfolio. Design Thinking is an iterative process, therefore after I completed the site I still welcomed feedback. Once I cumulated enough feedback, I re-visit the late-2016 site to improve two main objectives: Usability & Branding. 

Solution 

I began by continuing my user research. Through exploratory conversations and interviews I was able to narrow down my target audience.  I then focused on finding both the needs, and the pain points of my past website. There were a number of bottle-necks that kept people from being able to flow through my entire site.  For example, to learn about my project details you would have to click on a splash page, pick between the professional or the personal project index site, and finally click on an individual project. The process took too long. On the current version you can see all the projects on the first page & read individual project pull quotes to decide if you actually want to dive in.

Once I narrowed in on the user needs, I began sketching how these needs could be addressed with a pencil and paper. The drawings went before an audience for feedback and once my audience agreed on a comfortable flow, I began prototyping the site using Sketch App. The prototypes also went before an audience multiple times, once the digital prototypes felt right I moved to prototyping a live version of the site. I asked people to play with the site, and received most of my valuable feedback during these user tests. Finally I ported over the digital prototype to my actual web account where I completed the most recent version of the site. Colleagues, directors, recruiters, friends & family all played an integral role in the design process.

Collaborators

The names of the people who provided feedback will be kept anonymous to respect their privacy.