As one of Britain’s most revered organisations, the British Library has amassed a rich and vast archive of written, spoken and visual treasures. Our challenge was to bring a unified user experience and design language to that content in the digital space, setting a clear framework for people to explore and discover it online.
The journey to helping the British Library achieve their 2020 vision began with getting a true understanding of the team we were working with. After helping to align a steering group that brought key stakeholders and decision makers into the process, we conducted a series of research briefs. These included usability testing on the current site, content audits, depth interviews and mental modelling. Close collaboration with the British Library team meant that all outputs were agreed along the way and received the support of the Board.
From here, we were able to establish an over-arching content strategy and information architecture for the new site. Lisa lead and delivered a Global Experience Language (GEL), which continues to guide the design and implementation of the site content.
Having set the strategic framework for all future digital activities with coherent information architecture, the groundwork has equipped the British Library to deliver a truly compelling experience.
As the Digital Agency of Record for the British Library, Lisa played a defining role in laying the foundation for the organisation to achieve its vision for 2020. Adrian Arthur, Web Programme Manager for the British Library said, “Understand the complexities of working within a large public organisation and have maintained good working relationships with team members at the Library throughout. Their staff has operated as an extension to our own team, demonstrating a real commitment to delivering a solution that has the Library’s users and their needs at its heart.”
From defining their e-commerce strategy to future-proofing their experience language, the British Library’s journey is well underway; in January 2014 the launch of the World War One site, the first look at the information architecture and GEL put into practice through to ongoing development today.