New West Knives Works
New West Knives Works offers a diverse collection of exquisitely crafted knives designed for beginners and expert users. The statement, "We help our patrons forge their lives with memories of what is best," drawn from their code, perfectly portrays the mission of the company. This mission is dedicated to delivering the finest products to their consumers, fostering a connection between quality craftsmanship and cherished memories.
Throughout this project, I acquired valuable experience in collaborating and communicating effectively with diverse teams, and in addition to that, I had the opportunity to work closely with clients. Interactions with team members, including front-end developers, researchers, and product managers, underscored the significance of each role. Over the project's duration, I gained a deeper appreciation for how our collaborative efforts synergized, highlighting the collective importance of our distinct roles in creating the optimal product for users.
01 | Overview 📝
Tools
Figma
Roles
UX Research
UI Design
Wireframing
Duration
Aug 2023 - Oct 2023
02 | Problem ❌
New West Knives Works boasts a diverse range of products, yet the site faced challenges in terms of structure and user flow. The client sought a lasting solution, aiming for a website that not only catered to their existing users but also welcomed and engaged first-time visitors, encouraging them to make purchases.
To tackle the identified challenges, I developed wireframes that visually depicted the key points emphasized by the client. This involved a thorough process of researching the client's specific needs, transforming those insights into wireframes, and creating high-fidelity designs. Close collaboration with the front-end team played a crucial role in ensuring that the final product not only aligned with the client's requirements but also prioritized user-friendliness.
What we could do to solve it?
03 | Research 🔍
To attain our objectives, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the client's needs and desires, contrasting them with the existing shortcomings of the website. Using this comparative assessment, we determined the essential elements required for each page by the creation of wireframes.
Initial Analysis
Enhancing the Home Page and 'About Us' page with richer storytelling to provide a more engaging and comprehensive user experience
A more streamlined user interface is needed to effectively showcase the products on each 'Product Page'
A rebrand of the website to ensure a comfortable and user-friendly browsing experience for visitors
Expanding the target audience to encompass beginners and make the website more inclusive
Implementing strategies to captivate the interest of novice knife users and make the content more accessible to them
Client’s Needs
The website lacked a coherent user flow, leading to potential confusion and a less-than-optimal user experience
The initial target audience exclusively catered to experienced individuals, potentially limiting the inclusivity of the website
The existing branding failed to effectively communicate the core values and identity of the brand, creating a misalignment with its intended representation
The website's branding lacked cohesion, and there was a need for a more unified and harmonious visual identity
The absence of micro-interactions resulted in a less engaging user experience, with a need for interactive elements to captivate and entertain users as they navigate through the website
What the Website Lacked
Qualitative Research - Competitive Research
Based on the Initial Analysis, we proceeded to do Competitive Research to Identify, and Analyze, to find out the competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.
During our analysis of competitors, we specifically focused on those with diverse product offerings. Our examination delved into their strategies for organizing and presenting products, evaluating the cohesiveness of their branding, and understanding the narrative they conveyed to effectively tell their story.
Identifying the Competition
Crate&Barrel
Key Points:
Consistent and unified branding is maintained across the entire website for a seamless and cohesive user experience
The various product types were thoughtfully organized and presented in a clear layout, facilitating a straightforward navigation experience for users to easily locate and explore their desired items
Alessi
Key Points:
The website incorporates a variety of micro-interactions integrated across its pages, enhancing user engagement
The website's playful essence is conveyed through strategic column utilization, ranging from expansive full-bleed pages to more restrained layouts employing only four columns
Material
Key Points:
An attention-grabbing and distinctive layout that serves as an inviting gateway for users to explore the website
Uses images effectively by manipulating both negative and positive space, contributing to a visually engaging and aesthetically pleasing design.
04 | Solution ✅
After establishing the foundational research, the next phase involved a detailed examination of each page. During this process, we broke down the structure of each page, defining user flows and outlining how users would engage with the content. Subsequently, we transitioned to the creation of wireframes for every page. The primary objective at this stage was to reimagine and revamp the entire website, focusing on achieving a more unified, cohesive, and harmonious design across all pages.
User Flows
The User Flows that we needed to create were: the home page, product page, search page, category page, contact us, about us, retail locations
Home Page
Product Page
Contact Us
Search Page
About Us
Category Page
Search Page
To grasp the link between finance and mental health, we utilized the Design Thinking Methodology. Following this systematic methodology, we leveraged research findings to inform our decision-making and develop innovative strategies addressing the intersection of banking and mental well-being.
05 | Low and High Fidelity Design 🖌️
LoFi
In each category, we developed wireframes to provide a clear visual representation of the intended design and layout for every page.
Home Page
Product Page
Search Page
Category Page
Contact Page
About Page
Home Page
HiFi
In each category, we developed wireframes to provide a clear visual representation of the intended design and layout for every page.
Product Page
Search Page
Category Page
Contact Page
About Page
To grasp the link between finance and mental health, we utilized the Design Thinking Methodology. Following this systematic methodology, we leveraged research findings to inform our decision-making and develop innovative strategies addressing the intersection of banking and mental well-being.
05 | Design System 🖌️
Colors
Type Pairing
Icons
Reflection
THE KEY TO A SOLID FOUNDATION: DATA
During the execution of diverse UX methodologies, I gained a profound appreciation for the significance of data as a powerful tool. It became evident that data, with its numerical and statistical evidence, played a pivotal role in reinforcing our findings. By harnessing data-driven insights, we were able to delve deeper into the needs and desires of our users, gaining invaluable clarity and understanding in the process.
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci
Throughout the collaborative brainstorming process, my team and I dedicated ourselves to devising innovative approaches that would enable individuals to engage in banking activities without exacerbating any potential mental health challenges. After exploring a plethora of intricate ideas, we arrived at a remarkable realization - simplicity was the key. Rather than attempting to resolve the complex interplay between mental health and banking, we recognized the importance of making the banking experience more manageable. To achieve this, we crafted a solution that incorporated delightful mini-games and casual conversations, injecting an element of enjoyment and ease into the banking journey.
TIME IS EVERYTHING
Throughout the duration of this project, the crucial aspects of time management and efficiency constantly came into play. Given our limited timeframe and availability for team meetings, it was essential to establish effective communication channels. To prevent any member from lagging behind on their assigned tasks, we thought it best if we were to implement a system of regular check-ins, adhering to predetermined dates. To solidify the idea, I proposed the adoption of weekly schedules and to-do lists. This proactive approach not only enabled us to stay on track but also facilitated the seamless sharing of the data we had collected.