Northwest Territory Parks
2024
Rebrand, Web Design, Desgin System
Role:
UX & UI Designer
Project overview
The Northwest Territories Parks website underwent a full redesign and upgrade, enhancing its digital presence and user experience. The project involved migrating the site to the latest version of Drupal, rebuilding both the front-end and back-end architecture, and streamlining content management. The goal was to create an engaging and intuitive platform that highlights the breathtaking landscapes of the Northwest Territories while making trip planning seamless for visitors. Key features include an interactive map, real-time advisory alerts, and improved accessibility for diverse user needs.
Challenges
Redefining User Navigation
The previous site categorized parks and activities based on key trails and routes. The new design required a shift toward user-focused pathways that aligned with visitor needs.
Building a Scalable Interactive Map
The website required a feature-rich map with multiple search filters, clear labeling, and optimized data loading to ensure smooth performance.
Streamlining Content Management
The client’s small digital team needed a flexible system that allowed them to create and update content efficiently without relying on developers.
Solutions
Tailored Design System in Drupal
We designed a custom, streamlined design system in Drupal, focusing on reusable UI components to deliver a visually appealing and brand-consistent experience. The modular nature of the components allowed content editors to easily mix and match elements to create dynamic, visually rich pages without the need for custom development.
Photography-Focused UI Design
The UI design emphasized the natural beauty of Northwest Territories parks, featuring captivating photos and videos through image cards, full-width hero images, and postcards. This approach helped users visualize their visit even before stepping foot in the parks, creating an immersive experience.
Interactive Map Integration
We developed an advanced map powered by Google Maps and Solr 8 Search API, allowing users to filter parks by amenities, activities, and advisories. This interactive tool provided an intuitive experience, making it easier for visitors to find relevant park information.
Advisory Notification System
A colour-coded advisory system was implemented to keep visitors informed of seasonal updates, weather advisories, and facility closures. This ensured that visitors had access to crucial, up-to-date information for a safer and more enjoyable park experience.
Results
The redesigned Northwest Territories Parks website offers a modern, visually appealing, and user-friendly experience that meets the needs of both visitors and park staff. Showcasing the natural beauty of the parks, the site features a modular design system, an interactive map, and a colour-coded advisory notification system that enhances usability. Visitors can now easily explore park information, plan their trips with confidence, and stay updated on important advisories. For content managers, the streamlined content management system reduces the workload by minimizing manual updates and public inquiries. Built on a robust infrastructure, the website is scalable, supporting future enhancements and evolving user needs. Ultimately, the redesigned site not only elevates the visitor experience but also increases efficiency for staff, ensuring a seamless, accessible, and dynamic platform for both park exploration and trip planning.
Project Credit
Studio: Evolving Web
Content Strategies: Lily Sangster
UX Designer: Yue Lu, Keren Ramírez
UI Designer: Yue Lu
Art Director: Shane Collier
Tech Lead: Dharizza Espinach Barahona
