Re-Discover Parks
A responsive, user-friendly platform with enhanced events/activities discovery and booking capabilities.
Client
BC Parks Foundation
My Role
UX Research, UX/UI Design, Prototyping and Testing
Agency
Power Shifter Digital
Year
2023
Context
BC Parks Foundation wanted to build a platform to connect British Columbia's residents and newcomers with the province’s natural beauty through events and attractions. However, its existing booking platform presented significant usability challenges. Users found it difficult to discover and book events and administrative workflows for managing events were cumbersome and inefficient.
Challenge
The existing platform created frustration for both event attendees and administrators. Users struggled with fragmented navigation and an inefficient booking system, leading to high drop-off rates. On the administrative side, staff faced redundant tasks, juggling multiple platforms to manage events. The challenge was to design a cohesive system that addressed these inefficiencies while ensuring accessibility and ease of use for all audiences.
Research
Turning over every rock to understand users' needs
We conducted usability testing with participants from different ages and language backgrounds to identify core pain points. Additionally, stakeholder interviews with administrative staff provided insights into workflow inefficiencies. A site audit helped pinpoint navigation bottlenecks and areas for content optimization.
Insights & Findings
Users struggled with a confusing navigation structure, making event discovery difficult
The booking process was unintuitive, leading to high abandonment rates
Administrative tasks required excessive manual input, slowing down event updates
Accessibility barriers prevented some users from effectively using the platform
Crafting Personas, Journey Maps and Story map
After understanding the ground and based on their business goals, we created five personas and designed a Journey map and a Story map.
Personas
Journey map
Story map
The Solution
User-Centric Navigation: Developed an intuitive information architecture to streamline access to key resources for each persona.
Mobile-First Approach: Prioritized a responsive, accessible interface to ensure seamless browsing on all devices.
Visual Identity: Created mood boards and style tiles to refresh NVA’s digital presence, maintaining brand consistency across all touchpoints.
Wireframing & Prototyping: Designed mid-fidelity wireframes and UI templates, tested with stakeholders for feedback and refinement.
Moodboard
Outcome & Impact
While the project is still in progress, the new Discover Parks platform is expected to:
Immediate Impact:
Less friction, more engagement – The streamlined event booking process reduced confusion and improved participation.
A system that actually works for admins – The new content management system allowed staff to efficiently update and manage events.
Scalability built-in – The platform wasn’t just a one-off fix; it was designed to evolve with future needs.
Expected Results & Business Impact:
Higher event participation rates due to an improved user experience.
Reduced administrative workload, freeing up staff time.
A scalable platform capable of adapting to future demand and growth
REFLECTIONS
Throughout this project, we faced challenges such as ensuring accessibility while maintaining design simplicity, transitioning from an obsolete system without disrupting ongoing operations, and aligning administrative requirements with user-friendly front-end functionality. Our key takeaways highlight the importance of a user-first design philosophy for improved engagement, adopting a mobile-first strategy to enhance accessibility and usability, and streamlining workflows for the benefit of both users and administrators.