User interface design for the redevelopment of The RSA website

UI design for the redevelopment of The RSA website, working within a multi-disciplinary UX team to deliver a flexible, scalable design system.

Client

The RSA

Role

UI Design

Year

2013

The Brief

The RSA needed to redevelop their website to better serve their 27,000 Fellows. The existing site had grown organically over time, resulting in inconsistent layouts and a fragmented user experience.

I joined as freelance UI Designer at MBA, working within a multi-disciplinary team alongside UX researchers, developers, and content strategists.

Approach

The project followed an agile methodology with iterative sprints, regular design reviews, and close collaboration across disciplines. I was responsible for translating wireframes into high-fidelity visual designs and defining the visual language across all page templates.

Role within the team

Translating wireframes into high-fidelity visual designs

Defining the visual language across all page templates

Creating a style guide for consistent implementation

Collaborating closely with UX, development, and content teams

Participating in regular design reviews and feedback loops

Design considerations

The design needed to accommodate varied content types through a flexible grid system while maintaining clear hierarchy. Sketch was the preferred tool for the project. Having not used it extensively before, I quickly became proficient, delivering all UI designs and a comprehensive style guide for consistent implementation after handover.

Outcome

The project delivered a complete visual redesign of The RSA website, providing the organisation with a flexible, scalable design system. The style guide established clear rules for formatting and styling elements such as headings, links, and icons, ensuring consistency as the site evolved.