Background
During the fall semester of my senior year in 2020, I enrolled in LSC 532: Web Design for the Sciences, a course dedicated to effectively communicating scientific information through accessible web design. For one assignment, I chose to reimagine the design of freesounds.org, a platform I frequently used to source sound effects for video projects. Recognizing its potential for greater user engagement, I aimed to modernize the website to foster a vibrant community of sound enthusiasts.
What I Did
To begin, I identified key objectives for the FreeSound platform, envisioning increased traffic, enhanced community interaction, and greater user support. Leveraging Adobe XD, I crafted a redesign centered on user-friendly navigation and prominent page descriptions to welcome new visitors. The homepage featured real-time metrics such as active users and uploaded sounds, creating a dynamic atmosphere to encourage participation. I translated these design concepts into a functional prototype using React.
What I Learned
Through this project, I learned to design websites that not only prioritize simplicity and elegance but also strategically guide user actions. By emphasizing community engagement and social interaction, I discovered the power of nudging users towards desired behaviors, such as account creation and content sharing. This experience underscored the importance of thoughtful web design in fostering vibrant online communities and promoting meaningful interactions.
