VISIT THE PARKS WEBSITE
Branding, UX, Web Design
The design brief outlined the creation of a travel website. The specifications also included that it would need to promote domestic travel in the US. I decided to create a how-to- guide to travel in US National Parks. While I never traveled to a national park, I thought it would push me outside my comfort zone, and potentially guide me to a state park (no pun intended).
View the full process View the completed site
DESIGN PROCESS Brand Development
For the branding of the site, I took inspiration from a variety of sources. After looking through a variety of sources, I found the most inspiration from the official national parks logo; a badge-like icon. In my final design, I deconstructed and reworked it, adding the words “Visit The Parks” alongside the deconstructed Icon. For colors, I was inspired by the parks themselves, using colors from nature to develop the color palette. I also wanted this design (like all of my work) to feel welcoming and easy to use. I wanted the user to enjoy the experience of visiting the site along with planning their trip.
Before starting my project, I knew I had to do my research on similar sites and travel resources. I initially knew I wanted to include steps to planning the trip, information regarding travel during Covid times, where to find parks, and which Park to pick. After thorough research, I found that there was not a website providing all this information other than the national parks website. While this site is not actually affiliated with the national parks, I wanted it to seem as if it was; this being achieved in terms of the logo, and site information linking to the National Parks site.
DESIGN PROCESS User Persona
In order to fully understand my user, I developed 2 user personas; all with the interest of traveling to national parks. This essential talk helped me brainstorm information that would be essential for this site to really be successful.
After developing the visual assets of my website, I had to develop an information architecture and a layout of what I wanted to include in the website. Information Architecture alongside initial wireframes helped me get a grasp on how the user would use the site. I also came up with user flows to work hand in hand with my personas in order to really understand my user. The user flows helped me understand the way in which a user would use the site navigation to achieve specific tasks.
DESIGN PROCESS The Final Design
Before starting my project, I knew I had to do my research on similar sites and travel resources. I initially knew I wanted to include steps to planning the trip, information regarding travel during Covid times, where to find parks, and which Park to pick. After thorough research, I found that there was not a website providing all this information other than the national parks website. While this site is not actually affiliated with the national parks, I wanted it to seem as if it was; this being achieved in terms of the logo, and site information linking to the National Parks site.
