The RecShop Branding & Website
Client: We Design For Community & Greater London Authority
Designer: James Li
Year: 2023
Category:UI, UX, Brand Identity
Music Service Website for London Community Culture
The RecShop, backed by the Mayor of London and Greater London Authority, is dedicated to assisting young people in disadvantaged communities to pursue their music aspirations.
I aim to further strengthen the connection between designs and the community by incorporating feedback and participatory design elements, ensuring that I design authentically for the culture.
It involved providing design support to this community organization, collaborating on the redesign of its website, and upgrading its brand identity. It was a fulfilling experience to utilize my design expertise and knowledge of youth culture to contribute to the community. The project received recognition and acclaim from wedesignforcommunity, Greater London Authority, The RecShop, and the community.
(01)Project Introduction
(A) The Goal
The goal is to strengthen the connection between design and the community by incorporating feedback and participatory design elements, ensuring authentic representation of the culture. This involves providing design support to the community organization, collaborating on the website redesign, and upgrading its brand identity.
(02)Research
(A) Objectives
(B) Research Methods
(C) Personas
Malik grew up in a diverse community in Camden, North London. He’s been obsessed with beats since he was 15, mixing sounds from his favorite grime and drill artists. While he has a part-time job at a local café, his real dream is to become a music producer. He’s been trying to break into the scene but feels overwhelmed by the lack of access to affordable studio time and professional guidance.
- Learn professional-level production skills.
- Collaborate with other aspiring artists.
- Access affordable equipment and studio space.
“I’ve got the passion and ideas, but without access to the right tools or people, I feel like I’m just stuck on pause.”
- Struggles with finding local mentorship or opportunities to network.
- Finds existing platforms too complex and intimidating for newcomers.
- Feels disconnected from the wider music scene due to financial constraints.
For users like Malik, the platform should emphasize accessibility to resources and connections within the music industry. The website should feature clear, easily navigable sections that allow young musicians to find affordable studio spaces, tutorials, and mentorship programs.
Aisha works for a local nonprofit, helping disadvantaged youth find creative outlets through music. She’s passionate about supporting young talent but often faces challenges in securing resources for her programs, wants to see more youth from her community on the main stage.
“These kids have so much potential, but they need a place where they can connect with the right people and be seen.”
Aisha’s persona highlights the need for simplicity and community-centric design. A dedicated section for community leaders or advocates can facilitate mentorships, partnerships, and event coordination. Aisha would benefit from intuitive navigation, clear branding that reflects community values, and easily accessible resources that allow her to showcase youth talents and connect with sponsors or collaborators.
(D) Research Summary
Our extensive research for The RecShop project, a hub dedicated to nurturing London's music culture, provided valuable insights into prevalent challenges and user expectations. By aligning our design approach with these insights, we focus on addressing accessibility challenges, enhancing brand clarity, achieving UI consistency, and fostering a strong sense of community. Incorporating personalised elements, we aim to deliver an enriching and inclusive user experience within London's vibrant music culture.
(D) Key Findings
Navigation Complexity: Users often struggle with intricate website structures, hampering their ability to smoothly browse through the site. Simplifying navigation and ensuring essential features are easily accessible emerged as a crucial need.
Lack of Brand Representation: Users expressed a disconnect with the brand due to inconsistent branding elements across the website. Clarity in brand identity and a cohesive representation were emphasized for a stronger user-brand relationship.
Inconsistent UI Elements: The design lacks uniformity, impacting the overall visual appeal and user experience. Creating a standardized UI design while maintaining creativity is fundamental for engaging users effectively.
Community Involvement: Users are keen on interactive features that facilitate engagement within the music community. Platforms for sharing experiences, collaborating with fellow musicians, and interactive forums were suggested for a more community-driven approach.
(03)Design
(A) Design Overview
(B) Testing and Iteration
Throughout the development of The RecShop project, user feedback and stakeholder input have been prioritized. Key insights from prototype testing and design evaluations ensure the effectiveness of the project design and functionality.
Regular user testing sessions will be conducted, inviting target users and stakeholders to provide feedback on The RecShop platform, focusing on key aspects of user experience.
(C) Site Map
(D) Wireframes
Sketches