Ripe Labs
Redesign of Ripelabs platform - a social network for RIPE NCC to share and discuss innovative Internet-related topics
After applying for the possibility of developing this project, me alongside Paula Cepeda and Raimundo Rufin got the chance of being part of this incredible and challenging project that involved branding, graphic resources for dissemination, multiplatform web design, user experience, UX research, user testing, and platform implementation.
Brief
To create an online journal that transforms the RIPE Labs blog into a community hub. This platform will connect people and encourage collaboration.
Outcome
A completely renewed Ripelabs platform with completely new features targeting collaboration, networking and academic discussion.
Role
UX/UI Designer
Timeline
7 Months
Team
3 Designers
Platform
analysis & insights
In order to understand the scope of the project and what we were working with a full usability anaylisis was implemented in the original platform.
01 Brand Identity
The platform did not have a clear brand identity, nor did it have graphic affiliation with RIPE NCC's own identity.
02 Navigation
The navigation categories were not fully defined, so there was no easy or intuitive way to navigate.
01 Interactions
The articles had few interactions. Little clarity for the article writing process and difficulty finding its different categories.
Who was our user?
Through a short enterview process with some of the current user of the platform, the user persona was quite easy to identify.
Passionate about technology
Knowledgeable about tech topics.
Software engineers and developers
were the most commons roles.
Rebranding
RIPE Labs is the experimental partner of the RIPE NCC, the fun one. The one who sees a puzzle in an obstacle and uses its collaborative nature to defy challenges. Powered by information sharing, innovative thinking and a fearlessness to push boundaries without being reckless. RIPE Labs is brave, inclusive and resourceful.
The hexagon being the original shape of the Ripe NCC brand has a huge impact not only in the identity but in meaning. The new branding takes the original hexagon is now embracing a smaller hexagon to showcase a comunnity where everyone is welcome to be part of, to bring techonology experts all together in one place.
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ReBranding
El proyecto se inició con el rebranding de la subdivisión Ripe Labs de Ripe NCC, cuyo logo podemos ver a la izquierda.
Key Words:
Energetic, inclusive, spontaneous, logical, resourceful, brave.
Informal, but factual.
Isotipo
Safe Area
Colour Versions
Benchmark
Realizamos un benchmark analizando 3 plataformas similares y de gran renombre como lo es Medium, MIT Tech Review y Hackaday. Este análisis nos permitió determinar los requerimientos del nuevo Ripe Labs.
Site Map
Para mejorar la navegación del sitio, se determinó la arquitectura de la información. Todo un desafío considerando la cantidad de categorías ya existentes, las cuales se simplificaron y resultó en lo siguiente:
Prototipo
Con el prototipo de alta fidelidad, se determinaron los flujos más conflictivos para su posterior testeo con usuarios.
Testeo Con Usuarios
Mediante tests de usabilidad a través de la asignación de tareas y sus consiguientes mediciones heurísticas, pudimos determinar los puntos débiles de la propuesta e iterar en su diseño.
"I was surprised the heading of the article was not clickable. Having to find the "read the article" button was unexpected."
"Sleek design, text readability is definitely an improvement, makes me want to read and explore. Author pictures + short bio makes me connect bit more with the article.”
Análisis Plataforma
Para comenzar el proyecto y se analizó la plataforma en profundidad para entender las falencias y determinar las áreas de acción y alcance del proyecto.
Plataforma Inicial de Ripe Labs