Overview

• Role: Project Manager/Designer
• Duration: 4 Months (In Progress)
• Platform: Website

At the beginning of the semester, our team was tasked with a significant project. I assumed the role of project manager, chosen by my peers for my proficiency in both coding and design, enabling effective communication and consistency within our team dynamics. This selection also likely stemmed from my approachable nature, facilitating open dialogue while ensuring everyone remains aligned and accountable. Our project objective was clear: to develop a comprehensive website showcasing 1800s clothing with historical accuracy and functional search filters. Our target audience primarily consists of costume design enthusiasts from the 19th century era, with potential interest from artists, authors, historians, and the curious alike.

What I did:

Stakeholder Interview

Our project journey commenced with our introduction to the site, setting the stage for our stakeholder interview with Lorie Davis, the lead of the 1800s Clothing website. During our discussion, we learned that while the site was already live, there were essential enhancements desired by the stakeholder. These included addressing gaps such as an entire decade missing from the site's content, as well as refining the search and filter functionalities to ensure accurate sorting of content.

Project Scope and Solutions

Following the interview, I took the initiative to streamline our approach by organizing content and delegating tasks among team members. Crafting a comprehensive project scope, timeline, and proposed solutions formed the basis of our forthcoming project brief presentation to the stakeholder. To ensure clarity and manage expectations effectively, I prioritized tasks within the scope, facilitating efficient allocation of resources.

Our proposed solutions aimed at enhancing user experience encompassed several key areas. Firstly, we focused on refining the functionality of search filters to streamline content retrieval, thus promoting ease and efficiency for users. Secondly, we aimed to enrich the website's content by adding missing information and uploading the complete book, augmenting the likelihood of users finding relevant information. Lastly, we identified opportunities for general improvements to the website's design to foster consistency and coherence, ultimately elevating users' overall engagement and satisfaction.

Gathering Content

Following a month-long endeavor of content gathering and site updates, significant milestones have been achieved in line with our project objectives. Our developer successfully refined the functionality of the filters, enabling seamless search and filtration capabilities, a pivotal enhancement for user navigation. Furthermore, in collaboration with another designer, we meticulously curated and uploaded the final decade of content, enriching the site's repository comprehensively.

Usability Testing

With these accomplishments under our belt, our focus now shifts towards conducting usability testing, a critical phase in ensuring the site's effectiveness and user satisfaction

As of March 22, our project is currently in progress, and I will continue to update this case study as we advance through various project stages.

Resolution: