Virtual Conference
How do we convert an in-person event into a desirable and viable online experience?
Working with the International Downtown Association (IDA), I oversaw the re-imagining of the 66th Annual Conference to a fully virtual event. Collaborating with both the internal professional development team and external sponsors, I designed the information architecture and visual layout of a new platform.
Role: Project Lead | Timeline: 3 months | Tools: Miro, Pathable
Project Overview
Research
The first step was to map out who the key stakeholders were. From there, I outlined what their needs and pain points were from both an in-person and virtual perspective.
Aligning for Value
Using initial research, I developed user personas, experience maps, and mental models that would better inform information architecture and design choices.
Insights
I discovered that in a virtual setting, educational content was the driver for attendee satisfaction. For sponsors, visibility was the key.
Research
Before diving into design, I first met with the IDA team to understand the internal goals and success factors of a virtual conference, both from an institutional and financial standpoint. From there, we defined target users from previous years and began mapping both who would be attending and what they wanted to get out of the conference.
Value Brainstorming
Stakeholder Mind Map
Personas, Goals, Needs and Design Implications
Attendee Journey
Design
To keep consistent with IDA branding, the virtual conference page would visually match the design of the main IDA page. Using that as a template, I built a site map that would fit the needs of attendees and exhibitors. From there, an adaptive homepage helps users find what they need immediately.
Deliverable 1 | Site Map
Using the value map made during research, the structure for the site map reflects what information a user will need and value most. From there, the rest of the information architecture was built around the most valuable pages to a “general” user.
Deliverable 2 | Homepage Wireframes
I designed homepage wireframes focused on the conference experience time from an attendee standpoint. I chose to make the homepage adaptive to ensure the most salient items would be easily accessible pre/during/post-conference.
Deliverable 3 | Final Designs
Using the main IDA website as a design template, I built out a conference homepage that was adaptive and intuitive for both attendees and exhibitors.