What I did

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Project Kick-off Meeting

The purpose of the initial meeting was firstly to introduce the team, secondly to understand the project background, what success looks like and understand what needed to be done. Lastly, we explored and detailed how to work together effectively. To get the project up and running, the team outlined what was needed from the client to complete the next steps in the UX phase.

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UX Research Phase Requirements

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Initial UX Research

• Creation of the UX report, showcasing UX findings from HotJar and analytics.

• Presentation of the UX report to the client.

• Implementation of findings directly into the design phase for the other templates, using gained data.

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Phone Interviews

• Two questionnaires were created: one for the stakeholders and one for the users. I carried out both questionnaires through phone interviews to ensure the collection of all data. This helped to collect valuable insights and to apply them directly to the design or follow-ups.

• The questions focused on frustrations, pain points and suggested improvements. The client reviewed the questionnaires and we implemented all feedback received.

• Results were formatted in Basecamp yellow pages. This allowed easy access to the results to both the client and the Kooba team.

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Sitemap

Creation of the sitemap, which outlines the site structure and the template applied to each wireframe. We used the sitemap to define the taxonomy through grouping of related content. This ensured content is in places users would expect to find it.

• T01 - Homepage.
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• T02 - Main Section Landing (Fashion, Jewellery, Home & Gift, Design Ireland, Local Enterprise).
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• T03 - Standard Text (About, Exhibitor, News Detail).
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• T04 - Standard Listing (Discover, Brands, Exhibitors, News).
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• T05 - Plan Your Visit (Visitors & Exhibitors Toolbox) T6 Secure Area Log In T7 Trade Registration Page (Form).
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UX Deliverable

• Review of sitemap.
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• Release of wireframes templates T01 T02 & T04.
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• Review of wireframes from the client.

• Implementation of client’s feedback.

• Conclusion and sign-off of the UX phase.
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Style-guide

Showcase outsourced a style guide to help document styles and patterns. This ensured that our team was in sync with the client's desired look and feel of the website design.

UI Homepage

We have improved the overall visual aspect of the website by giving it a friendly and approachable look and feel, following the style-guide provided to us. We used placeholder images and simple colour backgrounds for the first version, as we were waiting on imagery and sample text content. The new design sets the overall message of the Showcase Ireland brand as a top international event, showcasing makers & designers in Homeware, Gift, Fashion, Jewellery & Accessories.

As the website provides multiple information on the event, we wanted to make sure the users were able to find everything that the website has to offer. To implement this, we designed a simple drop-down menu navigation system.

The aim of the menu was to provide a simple and clear menu system that the user could use to easily navigate to the desired information. We have also added a strong "Register" CTA within the header for the user to easily find the main call to action.

UI Feedback

Through InvsionApp, the client collaborated on design prototypes by adding comments and feedback directly to the design screens. We reviewed and implemented the feedback.

UI changes

• Review of Homepage design from the client.
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• Implementation of client’s feedback.
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• Image assets provided by client and implemented.
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• Conclusion and sign-off of the UI homepage design.

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UI Templates

• Development of the remaining desktop and mobile UI templates.

• Review of the UI templates by the client.

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Exhibitors Listing

S.I. exhibitors listing page is an important area for retailers to discover unique exhibitors that is of interest to them. The design and feedback process went through a number of different iterations, and was extended to make sure that the client’s requests were met. Once the client was satisfied with the amendments, the user interface design was signed off.

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Handover Process

File Handover

Design file organised into a Desktop, Tablet, Mobile, and asset views. Assets including Colour pallets, text styles, and Illustrations

Test Site Review

I provided feedback to front-end regarding bugs and other issues, which was followed by amendment. This was achieved through screenshots and logging of issues on Basecamp through a “To-do” list, followed by assigning the issues to the allocated F.E team member.

Website Launch

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Feedback & Learnings

• The client's request was to have a video banner in the website. During the design phase, we did not showcase this option to the client due to time restrictions. This created an issue as the client could not visually picture the video banner. Going forward, a video-based example should  be communicated to the client to help them better visualise the feature.
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• The project was not in line with the original timeline but was launched successfully without any issues.

• The launch day was postponed due to unforeseen delays regarding assets needed on the website.

• The client was very satisfied with the final result.

• User testing plays an important role in the success of the project. However, due to the nature of the design agency and the limited timeline provided to complete the project, user testing could not be undertaken. In future projects of a similar nature, it would be an utterly important matter to consider.

2020 re-skin

• The client proposed a re-skin of the website for the 2020 show.
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• The updated style guide was provided by the outsourced designer.
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• This included new imagery, video assets and an updated colour pallet.
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• This was then implemented on the website.