Project Overview:

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The project aimed to enhance the user experience (UX) and improve the overall performance of the Austin Pets Alive! website, a non-profit animal rescue organization. As solo UX Designer/Researcher, I worked on this project as part of a university initiative from March 2024 to May 2024.

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The Problem:

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The existing Austin Pets Alive! website had strengths but lacked in accessibility, mobile-friendliness, and page loading speed. Issues like duplicate content and broken links also hindered user experience and engagement. The challenge was to address these shortcomings while preserving the brand identity and improving user engagement.

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Research Phase:

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A comprehensive site audit was conducted to identify weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. Style tiles were created to establish a cohesive visual direction aligned with the organization's brand guidelines.

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Design Phase:

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Wireframing played a pivotal role in streamlining and perfecting the layout, with a keen emphasis on elevating UX principles like Hick's Law and the Law of Proximity. Every element was meticulously aligned to the grid, ensuring optimal spacing for a seamless user experience. Overcoming challenges was a task of finesse, leveraging spacing techniques and Auto Layout tools to craft a prototype with a refined and polished appearance.

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Testing and Iteration:

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The redesigned website underwent usability testing to gather feedback on the prototype. Iterations were made based on user feedback, focusing on further improving accessibility, responsiveness, and overall user experience.

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Final Solution & Outcome:

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The revamped Austin Pets Alive! website now offers a significantly improved user experience, with enhanced accessibility, responsiveness, and faster page loading speed. Issues such as duplicate content and broken links were addressed, leading to improved performance and increased visibility on search engines. This redesign successfully enhances the organization's mission of animal rescue and adoption, reinforcing its goals and better serving its users.

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Conclusion:

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Through research, design, testing, and iteration, the project achieved its objectives of enhancing user experience and improving website performance. It highlights the importance of user-centric design principles in achieving meaningful outcomes for non-profit organizations.