Visual Research and Ideas

Season Yorkshire have asked me to also design some website designs for them as they are thinking of updating their current website, I am now also able to finishing the business cards designs that were put on hold and have began to also think of some possible social media advertising. I think the current Season Yorkshire website could do with improving, it is extremely important for an online shop and business to have successful UX and UI within their website in order to increase sales.

Below shows the current Season Yorkshire website, the overall design is sporadic and unprofessional as consistent grid systems and layouts aren't used throughout the different pages and links. The colour palette also isn't as successful as it could be due to the black background with coloured text, a white background is a lot easier on the eye and doesn't clash with imagery. Some of the images also aren't inline and the texts and titles are a little too big.

Home page

Product page top

Product page scrolled down

Cart page

Below shows initial ideas for webpage designs which follow a more minimal and bold layout:

I then gathered some research into successful web design from different brands which I thought would be appropriate, for the website design I want to use a more minimal, professional and image focused aesthetic. An overall minimal and image focused design makes it easier for the user to navigate through the website and also communicates the message and information efficiently.

The websites that I researched and found relevant were Glossier, ASOS, Nuoc Mama's and Lush.

List of things found successful within the designs of these websites:

• Glossier launch page focuses on 2 main images, this is eye-catching and communicates well
• White backgrounds are easier on the eye and make the text and images stand out
• Nuoc Mama's launch page is bold and vibrant which encourages the user to explore the website further
• Logo in banner at the top works better than it in the corner
• Different hierarchies of text throughout the product pages works successfully to communicate main info that the user needs to know, descriptions and ingredients smaller
• Bold text for titles and buttons
• Minimal x bold aesthetic works best
• Launch page and home page should focus on imagery and colour, only add text and information where needed e.g. logo and title

Glossier home page

Glossier product page

ASOS home page scrolled down

Nuoc Mama's launch page

Lush home page

Additionally, I started business card initial ideas and wireframes for Season Yorkshire whilst I was designing the logo, however this was put on hold as the main priority and initial task set by the client was to get the logo finished within the deadline. I am now developing the business card designs further towards a final design following the initial designs that were most successful, I have also gathered further research into business card design to help me do this.

Notes from business card research:

• Information on the front with logo
• Simple illustration or image relating to the branding on the back- intriguing and bold design, this can either be colour block or detailed as it's the only piece of imagery used on this side
• Strong use of colour
• Stick to double sided design as this is most interesting, consumers usually expect business card designs to be double sided (I do myself)
• Same colour palette used throughout all of the branding
• Keep it minimal on the front: logo with contact information
• Embossing techniques work well on business cards