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In partnership with the Zurich Film Foundation, I led the redesign of their website, creating an intuitive, user-focused platform that caters to the diverse needs of film students, professors, and administrators.
Role:
User Research – Information Architecture –
Prototyping – UI Design – Art Direction
Outcome:
Redesigning the Zurich Film Foundation’s website to simplify, engage, and meet diverse user needs.
Problem Statement and Focus Question
The original website, weighed down by outdated content and a wide, disorganized site structure, needed a complete transformation. From content restructuring to final visual design, I developed a sleek, responsive platform that users can navigate effortlessly, delivering impactful information with ease.
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How do creative foundations organize their online content for clear, user-centered navigation?
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What are the different use cases for users visiting a film foundation’s website?
Research
To answer these questions, I conducted a comprehensive benchmark study of other creative foundations and film-focused websites, assessing content structure, user flows, and functionality. Next, I conducted a field study at the Zurich University of the Arts, where I interviewed students, professors, and administrators to understand their expectations and unique navigation needs on a film foundation’s website. These discussions highlighted critical differences in navigation requirements and specific needs, especially for accessing financial support, program applications, and foundation resources.
Insights
The research identified several essential user flows based on distinct personas:
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Film Students: Seeking resources, funding application information, and event details.
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Professors: Needing streamlined access to educational and institutional resources.
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Administrators: Looking for tools and workflows to support both students and faculty.
These insights were crucial in shaping the Sitemap redesign. Instead of a complex, overly broad site structure, I developed a streamlined, intuitive sitemap that efficiently grouped relevant content under focused categories. This allowed each user persona to find information more easily, regardless of the device they were using.
Content Management
I then focused on simplifying the content itself. Many pages held outdated or redundant information that created more confusion than clarity. I methodically cleaned out the unnecessary content, stripping it down to the essentials without any frills. Each page now focuses on delivering relevant, valuable information, ensuring a smoother, quicker user experience for all visitors.
Creating Wireframes
With the new sitemap and focused content in place, I began designing wireframes that balanced creativity with functionality. Since this was a film foundation, the site needed to be visually engaging yet highly practical. I created responsive wireframes adaptable across desktop, tablet, and mobile. This structure maintained consistency across devices while ensuring an efficient layout that supports different navigation paths for each user persona.
Final Visual Design
For the final design, I aimed for a clean, professional aesthetic that visually aligned with the foundation's mission and cultural focus. I incorporated elements that evoke a cinematic experience, such as a subtle, film-inspired color palette and straightforward, immersive layouts that kept users focused on content. With the simplified content structure, the visuals could truly shine, creating an appealing and easy-to-use interface.
Happy Customers
The redesigned Zurich Film Foundation website has seen a marked increase in traffic, with more visitors successfully engaging with content and exploring resources. Notably, the number of funding applications has risen substantially, reflecting the improved accessibility and usability. The streamlined, engaging design has provided users—whether students, professors, or administrators—a clear, satisfying experience that supports their unique needs.
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