Work
Case study
Card Sorting and Benchmarking: Redefining the Architecture of a News Platform
Card sorting
Benchmark
Information architecture
Content strategy
Stakeholder engagement
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What is the project about
Project Overview
This case study focused on redesigning the website of VIA Empresa, a digital newspaper dedicated to publishing news about the economy and business in Catalonia. The main objective was to position the website at the forefront of its target audience's mind by presenting it as the most advanced news platform in technology, economy, and business. The project began with a tree map analysis, card sorting, and a benchmark study to identify essential sections and eliminate redundant ones. A key challenge was the website's unintuitive menu with numerous sections.
My Contributions
I led the card sorting sessions, meticulously preparing and organizing the process. I facilitated discussions with key stakeholders to determine the most critical sections and content for the website. Additionally, I compiled a comprehensive report detailing the findings and recommendations, which guided the subsequent design phases. I also drew the tree map of the new website and conducted a benchmark study to further refine the design.
UX Process
What stages we followed
Read the
stage
stage
What I have learned
Solution
The card sorting process was instrumental in understanding both user and business needs. It highlighted the importance of intuitive information architecture and provided clear insights into organizing the website's content effectively. This user-centric approach ensured that the final design met the needs of both users and stakeholders. The integration of multimedia elements further enhanced the platform's appeal, positioning VIA Empresa as a leading news source in its niche. The benchmark study reinforced our decisions by providing insights into industry best practices.
Final thoughts
This project underscored the significance of involving stakeholders in the design process to ensure the website's structure aligns with business goals and user expectations. Card sorting proved to be an invaluable method for uncovering insights that led to a more organized and user-friendly website. The exercise was a great start to the project, helping us match needs with best usability practices. I also learned that the standard menu structure for news platforms doesn't always fit each company's unique requirements. Flexibility and intelligent design thinking are essential for each project. The benchmark study complemented this by highlighting best practices and innovative solutions.
Process
What we have unfolden
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Ideation
Card Sorting Preparation
I developed a detailed plan to conduct a card sorting session with stakeholders. The main objectives were to have all sections on the table, observe discussions, and gain insights from their interactions. We printed all the page names, including tags for organizing articles, to see which would become sections. Multimedia content such as podcasts and videos was included to determine their desired placement.
All the page names, including tags, mixed before the card sorting.
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Empathy
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Define
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Empathy
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