Interactive Strategy for HCAAO
Optimizing website for enhancing the digital media presence of the HCAAO.
Role
UX Strategist
Content Strategist
Team
UI/UX Designer
Graphic Designer
Social Media Strategist
Tools
Figma
Adobe Photoshop
Timeline
8 weeks
The Hellenic Canadian Academic Association of Ontario (HCAAO), a non-profit organization that supports academic professionals of Hellenic descent and fosters collaborations between Canadian and Greek scholars.
Despite its longstanding history, HCAAO faced challenges in maintaining an engaging online presence and streamlining the user experience across its website and social media platforms and sought to enhance its digital presence.
An outdated website and inconsistent content are preventing users from registering, finding information, and staying engaged."
"HOW MIGHT WE enhance the effectiveness of HCAAO’s online presence across their website and social media platforms to improve user experience, drive traffic, and portray a consistent image?”
"Revamp HCAAO’s digital platform to create a seamless user experience, enhance engagement, and unify branding."
"A modern, intuitive website design with interactive features, consistent branding, and engaging content."
Website Redevelopment: A clean, intuitive design with improved navigation, allowing users to easily access information, register for events, and sign up for membership.
Consistent Branding: Unify HCAAO’s visual identity across all platforms to enhance professionalism and credibility.
Engaging Content Strategy: Introducing regular updates, multimedia content (videos and photos), and interactive elements like an events calendar and board member profiles.
Our process followed three primary phases: Define, Ideate, and Design. In each phase, we worked closely with stakeholders, conducted user testing, and refined the user experience based on feedback. This streamlined approach allowed us to address core issues like navigation and registration, while ensuring the website design was intuitive, visually consistent, and aligned with HCAAO’s objectives for improved user engagement and interaction.
DEFINE
"Who are the Users, What are their Needs, and How can we Address Them?"
We began by conducting an audit of the existing website and analyzing competitor platforms. This allowed us to identify pain points, such as outdated content and a cumbersome registration process. We also created personas, like academics and students, who represented typical users and mapped out their journeys through the site.
We conducted an in-depth competitive analysis of similar organizations like HCAAO to understand scope of improvements that can be made towards the success of the project.
IDEATE
"How can we Improve the Experience? What Features will Simplify and Engage Users?"
After identifying the core issues, we brainstormed potential solutions, prioritizing ease of use and engagement. Our team created wireframes and prototypes for the new website structure, integrating key features like an events calendar, member profiles, and an easy-to-navigate registration form.
Paper Prototyping
DESIGN
"Design with Clarity, Build with Purpose"
In the final phase, we focused on visual design and functionality. We created a clean, modern user interface with an emphasis on accessibility and ease of navigation.
(Click the screen to view the prototype)
"Collaboration, User Feedback, and Simplicity were key to delivering a successful digital experience."
This project highlighted the importance of user-centered design and iteration. By continuously gathering feedback from both users and stakeholders, we were able to refine our approach and create a website that not only met but exceeded the client’s expectations. I learned the value of clear communication and collaboration, which ensured that we stayed aligned with the client’s goals throughout the project. Moreover, balancing simplicity and functionality was key in designing an engaging, professional website that enhances the user experience