For my Interaction Design class, we were given the prompt to re-design a non-profit organization's website. I chose Endangered Species International, an organization dedicated to preserving wildlife across the globe. The re-design process of this website included many activities such as concept mapping, card sorting, and wireframing.
To begin this project, I created a concept map of the current website in place. This was to ensure that IĀ absorbed all information that the website held and that I'd be able to transfer that information over to the redesign. Here it is:
After this, I went on to card sorting, which is a way of redesigning the navigation of the website. To do this, IĀ put each tab of the website on a 'card' and asked my classmates to sort it in a way that most made sense to them. After doing this three times, IĀ then began my own card sorting to figure out how IĀ wanted the navigation to function on the redesign.
After completing this activity, I began analyzing the problems with the current website so IĀ could address them in my redesign. I also conducted a competitive analysis to figure out what other sites were doing right and how IĀ could apply those components to my redesign.
After this was complete, I started on my wireframes. I wanted to make sure that the redesign of this website would function to the best usability.
After IĀ completed my wireframes, IĀ then began on redesigning the website by making hi-fidelity wireframes. Since the current website didn't use much imagery, IĀ took advantage of high saturation photos as backgrounds of the web pages. Here are the final results:
At the end of this 16-week class, I definitely believe that my UI/UX skills have improved greatly. Engaging in activities such as concept mapping, card sorting and wire framing gave me a great idea of the design process of UX. In terms of UI, I had so much fun bringing this site to life and adding elements that made the site visually appealing. IĀ am glad that I chose Endangered Species International to redesign because it is a cause I'm truly passionate for - IĀ think that made this project even more fun and engaging. In the future, I'm hoping to get in contact with the organization to propose my design to them!