Wantey's World Website

Responsive website that blends gaming, paranormal investigation, and spiritual insight

Client

Wantey's World

Roles

Lead UX/UI Designer Contractor

Tools

Figma | Adobe Creative Suite | Photoshop | Illustrator | Whimsical | Discord

Project Overview

BRIEF BACKGROUND

Wantey's World is a personal account for a content creator, streamer, and paranormal investigator dedicated to creating an engaging blend of entertainment, exploration, and spiritual insight that resonates with a diverse audience.

THE PROBLEM

Wantey's World currently does not have a personal website to showcase their brand and they would like to expand their network with one. They only have social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Exploring the work space

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Finding inspiration from other personal gaming influencers will help create designs that will fit their needs. I analyzed three similar companies in order to determine what they had in common that worked and did not work.

COMPARISON

GeorgeNotFound has a nice layout and is clean

PROS:

GeorgeNotFound has a nice layout and is clean. Nice with animation and not too busy.

ANALYSIS:

Very nice website overall. It doesn't give much info about the creator and is more focus on merch. They have an easy navigation and everything is responsive. They also include partners they are connected to which is a new feature to have.

Jacksepticeye is busy but full of color

PROS:

Jacksepticeye is full of color which is appealing to the user. Their images and animations are nice and really showcase the creators personality.

ANALYSIS:

The layout its good however it is very busy and hard to follow. They aren't too focus on the gaming part and are more focused on selling a non-related product.

VANOSS is focused on merch and is simple

PROS:

VANOSS is focused on selling merch but the website is simple and easy to navigate.

ANALYSIS:

VANOSS shows a nice intro video on a latest merch product which is a good personal touch. The responsiveness of the website is a little funky with the animation. Some of the gray colors are hard to read with the black background.

Gaining a different perspective

1:1 INTERVIEWS

Conducting one-on-one interviews provided valuable insights into user preferences. I engaged with five avid gamers, who are also active streamers, to understand their needs and desires for the website. They offered detailed feedback on essential features versus those of lesser importance. A unanimous recommendation was to include all social media platforms prominently on the website to facilitate easy following of Wantey’s World. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of making the website visually appealing and engaging to encourage continuous scrolling and interaction.

Building empathy

USER PERSONAS

Creating user personas can provide valuable insights into the diverse audience of Wantey's World, which caters to gamers, streamers, paranormal and spiritual investigators. Below are detailed user personas that will help you understand their unique needs and preferences, ensuring the website effectively serves all groups without overwhelming any single audience.

Connecting the dots

FINDINGS

Based on my user research, I developed a comprehensive design strategy informed by participant data, competitive analysis, and user personas. To enhance Wantey's World, we need to incorporate easily accessible social media links, minimizing user clicks for a seamless experience. Introducing a merchandise store will boost brand recognition. The design should be intuitive and easy to navigate, with a vibrant and memorable color scheme. Finally, the platform must be engaging to encourage users to explore and learn more.

Creating a plan

SITE MAP

I structured the site map to prioritize the core elements of Wantey's World. To add a personal touch, I included an 'About' section. I also integrated a merchandise store to enhance brand recognition. Additionally, I incorporated a dedicated link to promote donations to Boston Children's Hospital, aligning with Wantey's World’s commitment to supporting this cause.

TASK FLOW

In designing the task flow, I focused on addressing user pain points and their expressed needs and preferences. For instance, to streamline the donation process to Boston Children's Hospital, I ensured it requires minimal clicks and guides users directly to the donation page.

USER FLOW

Leveraging the user research insights, I created a visual representation of the user journey for finding and purchasing merchandise on the website. Interview feedback highlighted the importance of a merchandise store for brand visibility. Below is a visualization of how users might navigate to the merch store.

Visual Design

UI KIT

In designing the UI Kit for Wantey's World, I aimed to blend the mystique and intrigue of paranormal investigations colors with a user-friendly and engaging experience. Since Wantey already had a distinctive logo and specific colors, I incorporated these elements as requested to maintain brand consistency.

Testing the product

LOW FIDELITY WIREFRAME

Using the developed user stories, I designed a product that reflects the users' experiences and feedback. The Wantey's World brand should captivate users, with easily accessible social media links for effortless following. To personalize the experience, the background story of Wantey's World is included. The design keeps users engaged by prominently featuring live streaming and paranormal investigation content, and it highlights Wantey's World’s commitment to supporting Boston Children's Hospital.

USABILITY TESTING

Before finalizing colors, typography, and images, I conducted a usability test at the low/mid-fidelity stage to observe the product's flow. This approach allowed me to validate that the planned features, functions, and overall purpose aligned with user expectations in a real-world context. Feedback from Wantey's World participants guided me to prioritize clarity, ease of navigation, and user engagement, ensuring the design encourages continued interaction.

Bringing it to life

HIGH FIDELITY PROTOTYPE

Having completed the usability test and established robust wireframes, I am now prepared to integrate the UI Kit into my designs. Throughout this process, I will apply the insights gained on what makes a product stand out and succeed. I also included the mobile design as well to show the responsiveness.

Summary

LEARNINGS

As a UX designer for Wantey's World, I learned the importance of aligning the website with the diverse interests of its audience in entertainment, paranormal exploration, and spiritual insight. Balancing a mysterious aesthetic with usability was crucial for an engaging user experience. Early usability testing validated the design’s flow and ensured it met user expectations. Integrating Wantey's World’s logo and colors maintained brand consistency while fitting the overall design. Key features included easily accessible live streams, captivating paranormal content, and social media links to foster community interaction. Highlighting a prominent donation feature supported Boston Children's Hospital, reinforcing the brand’s values. Thematic visuals and a compelling color palette enhanced emotional engagement, while accessibility measures, such as high-contrast text and responsive design, ensured inclusivity. Finally, establishing mechanisms for gathering user feedback post-launch is essential for continuous website improvement.

KEY POINTS

  • User-centric design: Making sure to align features with audiences interest.
  • Usability: Ensuring an intuitive and engaging experience.
  • Brand Integration: Maintaining brand identity.
  • Engagement: Encouraging exploration and interaction.
  • Social Media: Facilitating community building.
  • Support: Highlighting donation options.
  • Visuals: Enhancing emotional appeal.
  • Accessibility: Ensuring inclusivity.
  • Improvement: Using feedback for ongoing enhancements.

THE PROBLEM

THE SOLUTION