Summary
Unitversity Medical Center Groningen is looking for a more modern entry point and a smoother experience on their news site, aiming to increase usability and engagement. Additionally, they wanted the ability to feature news articles in a dedicated section. One of the key issues they faced was related to the findability of content.
The approach
The plan was to modernize UMCG's news website by conducting a thorough UX & UI audit aimed at improving its layout, navigation, and overall user-friendliness. This included the introduction of two new categories—video shorts and podcasts—along with the design of user-friendly cards for them.
The strategy involved creating a consistent structure, clarifying the menus, and redesigning the overview pages for greater usability. The homepage was also set to be revamped to better engage visitors with UMCG news. Additionally, improvements in visual design were planned, using colors, icons, and typography more effectively to create a more engaging and user-centric experience.
The UMCG webite how it was before; homepage, listing page and article page.
Information architecture
During the project, we took several key steps to significantly enhance the user experience. One of the first was developing a detailed information architecture. This helped us understand the best way to organize news articles and how to guide users efficiently from point A to B to C. A well-structured architecture is crucial for allowing users to navigate the website seamlessly and easily find the information they're looking for.
Wireframing
I also focused on refining the homepage layout to create a stronger 'news vibe.' This is crucial for capturing users' attention and encouraging them to engage with the articles. While there are limitations due to the reliance on images, catchy headlines, and brief descriptions, we ensured that the layout remains both visually appealing and functional.
News & Media cards
With the goal of providing visitors with more audio and visual news content, new news cards were needed. These had to be clearly distinguishable from one another while also delivering the right information about specific episodes to the users.
Final results
These improvements have laid a solid foundation for a user-friendly and inviting news website that meets user expectations. The result is a site that is both visually appealing and functional, guiding users through the content in an intuitive way.
Homepage & category page
Listing page & Article page