Heritage Abbotsford Redesign

The previous design had a few inefficiencies and design choices that  hindered site functionality. The pages used a scroll-down design which led many to have difficulty finding the information they were looking for. The light text on a black background didn't tonally suit the society and was difficult for some users to read. Additionally, the new webpage design needed to include physical accessibility information and consolidate other functions previously contained on a separate website.

To correct these issues, I decided to use dedicated pages instead of scroll-down ones. The site would direct users toward information contained in card carousels instead of requiring the user to scan through a large amount of information. It would then feed into the booking system as a call to action. This was intended to reduce frustration with the amount of information the site contains and make the navigation experience quicker.

For the design, I drew on historical inspiration to create a visual language that complemented the historical buildings the website highlights. I chose colours that were popular during the Arts & Crafts movement, which is the architectural style of Trethewey House (the primary heritage building the Society runs). The main colour, "Rookwood Red," was used by the BC Electric Railway, which was a vital part of the local economy. The typeface used is a modern recreation of a font style popular at the start of the 20th century.

I divided the information into the categories of "About," "Visit," "Learn," "Join," and "Shop." The homepage places the primary heritage building's hours at the top, one of the main reasons visitors visit the website. It then features current events, exhibits, and programs to draw the user in. The "About" section is a standalone page with information relating to the organization.

The "Visit" section has a "Plan your visit" page that flows to pages on the heritage buildings the Society runs, a "Programs & Exhibits" page that flows to pages with program information, and a booking system. It also includes a page with accessibility information.

Under "Learn," there is a page that directs to the Society's collections and archives and a "Research" page with resources for local history. "Join" has a volunteer application page and external links to purchase a membership or donate to the organization. Finally, the "Shop" link directs users to the external e-commerce portal.