Work Overview:

Completed the design and development of a brand-new website for renowned illustrator Mark Brooks.

The new site serves as a central hub for Mark’s online presence, effectively integrating multiple functions into a cohesive platform. Doing so creates a one-stop-shop for Mark's audience in addition to his clients' wants and needs.

Objectives:

• Mark's social media reach across multiple platforms consist of over a quarter of a million unique users. The challenge was to bring them all under one platform.
• A key aspect of the project was implementing a multi-tier subscription service. This functionality allows users to subscribe to different levels of content and benefits, enhancing their interaction with Mark’s work. The subscription tiers are seamlessly integrated into the site, providing users with exclusive content, early access to new releases, and other premium features.
• The redesigned website features a sophisticated online portfolio, showcasing Mark's diverse body of work with high-quality images and an intuitive gallery layout. The portfolio is designed to be visually engaging, allowing visitors to explore his art in detail and gain insight into his creative process.
• In addition to the portfolio, the site includes a daily blog section, offering a space for Mark to share updates, insights, and stories about his work and artistic journey. This feature is designed to engage his audience with fresh content and foster a deeper connection with his fanbase.
• The website also serves a multi-level eCommerce store where users and subscribers can access products both generally offered and exclusively.
• Overall, the new website not only supports Mark Brooks's artistic portfolio and blog but also introduces advanced features to engage his audience and provide value through a structured subscription model. The transition to Shopify has enabled a more robust and flexible platform, ensuring that the website meets the needs of both the artist and his audience.

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Scope of Work:

Multi-Tier Subscription Service:

• Develop and integrate a multi-tier subscription model offering various levels of content and benefits.
• Include features such as exclusive content, early access to releases, and premium benefits.
• Set up payment gateways and user management systems for seamless subscription management.

Online Portfolio Design:

• Design and implement a visually sophisticated online portfolio with high-quality images.
• Design custom video headers in After Effects for all portfolio categories.
• Create an intuitive gallery layout to showcase Mark’s artwork in detail.
• Incorporate functionality for zooming in and exploring pieces, with clear navigation and categorization.

Daily Blog Section:

• Develop a blog section for regular updates, insights, and stories about Mark’s work.
• Implement content management features for easy blog post creation and publishing.
• Include options for user interaction, such as comments or shares.

Multi-Level eCommerce Store:

• Set up an eCommerce platform to offer both general and exclusive products.
• Integrate product catalog management, shopping cart functionality, and secure checkout processes.
• Develop a system to manage exclusive product access for subscribers.

Platform Transition to Shopify:

• Migrate the existing website to Shopify for enhanced flexibility and robustness.
• Customize Shopify features to fit the specific needs of Mark’s portfolio, blog, and eCommerce operations.
• Ensure smooth data migration and integration of new features.

Overall User Experience:

• Optimize the website for performance and user engagement across all devices.
• Ensure seamless integration of all features to provide a cohesive user experience.
• Conduct thorough testing to identify and resolve any issues before launch.

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Challenges:

• Our user studies revealed that the onboarding process for Mark's subscription service was confusing for new users. Specifically, it was not immediately clear that users needed to first create a Shopify account and then proceed to purchase their membership tier. Additionally, some testers encountered issues where they signed up for Shopify using one email address and then subscribed to Mark's website using a different one, further complicating the process.

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Solutions:

• Clear Instruction Page: We developed a dedicated onboarding page that provides users with step-by-step instructions on how to sign up for both a Shopify account and the subscription service. This page was designed to clarify the process and reduce user confusion.
• Mandatory Account Creation: To ensure users follow the correct sequence, we disabled the option for guest purchases. Now, users must create a Shopify account before they can proceed to purchase a subscription. This change helps streamline the process and reduces the likelihood of users signing up with multiple emails.
• Collaborative Improvements: We partnered with the Appstle engineering team to enhance the onboarding experience further. Together, we worked on developing features that simplify the registration and subscription process, making it more intuitive for future users of the Appstle platform.

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Client Review:

"I’m thrilled to share my experience working with Heather Cooper on the design of my website. From start to finish, Heather has been an absolute game-changer for my online presence.

Heather’s expertise really shone through in the way she tackled the sigh up process for my subscription service. She had the connections and the contacts with outside engineers and coders to ensure every detail was flawless. Thanks to her meticulous approach, the website she created is seamless and intuitive, significantly enhancing my fanbases experience.

But Heather didn’t stop there. She truly exceeded my expectations with her custom videos and animations for my galleries. Her creative flair and technical skill brought my content to life in a way that not only looks impressive but also engages my fans on a deeper level. The animations are smooth, professional, and add a touch of sophistication that sets my site apart.

Throughout the project, Heather made everything incredibly easy for me. Her communication was clear, her responsiveness was swift, and her problem-solving abilities were second to none. It’s rare to find someone who combines technical expertise with such a strong commitment to client satisfaction and ability to communicate with me in a way that was easy for me to understand.

In short, if you’re looking for a  designer who will go above and beyond to deliver outstanding results, combined with unique creativity, Heather Cooper is your go-to professional. The final product and the entire experience working with her, I could not be happier." - Mark Brooks