x·quic:

Website Design, Branding, and Marketing

Project Summary

In a contracted 9-week sprint for the startup x·quic, an online business platform, I spearheaded the UI/UX design and development, crafting a dynamic and responsive website from the ground up. This involved an intensive process of wire-framing, mockup creation, responsive design components, asset design, and branding development, all executed in close collaboration with the Executive and Development teams. With an emphasis on scalability and future edits, the project was characterized by its scrappy, startup-nature yet focused on delivering a polished user experience, using Figma, Squarespace, and other web design features to execute this. My role extended beyond design; I led the strategic branding efforts, achieving 2 Standard and 1 Special Form trademark registrations to bolster the platform's market presence. Additionally, I orchestrated the launch of 7 targeted social media and email marketing campaigns, which successfully boosted platform engagement by 30%. This multifaceted approach not only underlined my ability to blend UI/UX design with brand development but also highlighted my proficiency in leveraging marketing campaigns to enhance user engagement and establish a solid brand identity in a highly competitive market.

UI/UX Design | Brand Development | Marketing Campaigns

Project Details

Role: UI/UX Designer & Marketing Strategist

Duration: July - September 2023

Tools: Figma, Photoshop, Squarespace, Canva

Challenge

Develop a user-centric online platform for businesses that facilitates rapid website creation and management, while emphasizing ease of future edits and robust brand development, even in a resource-constrained startup environment.

Solution

I spearheaded the design and implementation of the website, crafting a user-friendly and flexible online platform for small businesses. My solution encompassed customizing layouts and integrating unique features beyond the capabilities of standard website builders, ensuring easy future edits by non-technical team members. Alongside this, I drove the brand's visibility through targeted marketing campaigns and creative logo design, significantly enhancing its digital presence and user engagement.

Design Process

  • 1. Empathize

    When I begin designing, I seek to understand the user’s needs through a non-judgmental approach. I met extensively with the Executive team of x·quic, understanding the needs of their customers and startup goals - website design, logo design, and marketing.

  • 2. Define

    At this stage, I create the personas of the users of the website, understanding better the products to feature. I defined key challenges and pain points by evaluating their old website (unavailable to display due to contract), and their visions for expansion in the future.

  • 3. Ideate

    I concentrated on idea generation, combining my understanding of the problem space and users to generate solution concepts. I developed concepts of different landing pages such as the homepage, OTA Savings, and Business Analytics, taking notes from the Executive Team of features they need.

  • 4. Prototype

    At this stage of the design process, I rapidly prototype to test possibilities and communicate the ideas from before. Using Figma, I prototyped interactions within the app interface, from the user log in to the ordering process.

  • 5. Test

    After getting feedback from the Executive team, this stage of the design process is refining the prototype and POV. After soliciting feedback, I ensured the compatibility of the website, especially for important sections such a the contact page for demos and the functionality of the savings estimate.

learn more about the stanford d.school design process

Final Product

My final video explained the process of designing Pizza Aid and the features it would provide to domestic violence survivors. Overall, I learned a great deal from this project, specifically about UI design and user needs.

Scroll down for more information about some of my design processes, such as logo design, trademark registration, and marketing campaigns.

Logo Design & Trademark Registration

The x·quic logos, featuring a cheerful emoticon and bold, minimalist typography, encapsulate the brand's commitment to a user-friendly experience, each design detail carefully crafted to resonate with the platform's diverse user base. I spearheaded efforts to apply for 2 Standard and 1 Special Form trademark registrations, anchoring the brand's identity and market presence with a distinctive visual statement.

Marketing Campaigns

I orchestrated a suite of seven targeted marketing campaigns across various social media channels, including LinkedIn and Facebook, and through strategic email marketing, each imbued with engaging content and consistent branding to captivate our audience. This cohesive approach successfully amplified platform engagement by 30%, laying a robust foundation for the marketing team to build upon and continue driving brand growth and user interaction. These campaigns were meticulously designed to not only draw immediate attention but also to be easily adaptable for future use by the marketing team, ensuring long-term value and continuity in our promotional efforts.