Community-focused forum prototype designed to support interaction, knowledge sharing, and accessible communication among exotic pet owners through a user-centered digital experience.
ROLE
UX/UI Design / Information Architecture / High-Fidelity Prototyping
UX/UI Design / Information Architecture / High-Fidelity Prototyping
TOOLS
Figma / Adobe Creative Suite
OVERVIEW
This project focused on designing a digital forum experience tailored for exotic pet owners, a niche online community often spread across fragmented social media groups and outdated forum platforms. The goal was to create a more modern, intuitive, and community-centered space that encouraged discussion, information sharing, and user engagement.
THE CHALLENGE
Many existing forum platforms used by exotic pet communities rely on outdated interfaces, inconsistent organization, and limited usability, making it difficult for users to navigate discussions, locate reliable information, and meaningfully engage with others.
Many existing forum platforms used by exotic pet communities rely on outdated interfaces, inconsistent organization, and limited usability, making it difficult for users to navigate discussions, locate reliable information, and meaningfully engage with others.
The objective of this project was to explore how a modern digital forum could improve accessibility, organization, and community interaction for users with varying levels of technological familiarity.
RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
The project began with an analysis of existing online pet communities, forum interaction patterns, social engagement features, and user expectations within niche digital communities.
The project began with an analysis of existing online pet communities, forum interaction patterns, social engagement features, and user expectations within niche digital communities.
The project had considerations such as simplified navigation structure, community engagement and discoverability, visual hierarchy and clear categorization.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
A key focus of the project was organizing content in a way that allowed users to easily browse discussion, locate species-specific information, and participate in community conversations without overwhelming navigation structures.
A key focus of the project was organizing content in a way that allowed users to easily browse discussion, locate species-specific information, and participate in community conversations without overwhelming navigation structures.
ITERATION & INTERFACE DESIGN
The interface evolved through multiple layout explorations and refinements, focusing on readability, hierarchy, accessibility, and intuitive interaction patterns. Community-centered features such as discussion categories, profile interactions, and post engagement were prioritized throughout the design process.
The interface evolved through multiple layout explorations and refinements, focusing on readability, hierarchy, accessibility, and intuitive interaction patterns. Community-centered features such as discussion categories, profile interactions, and post engagement were prioritized throughout the design process.
FINAL PROTOTYPE
The final prototype introduced a modernized forum experience that balanced usability with community interaction. The interface emphasized clean navigation, organized discussion systems, responsive layouts, and accessible visual hierarchy,
The final prototype introduced a modernized forum experience that balanced usability with community interaction. The interface emphasized clean navigation, organized discussion systems, responsive layouts, and accessible visual hierarchy,
REFLECTION
This project strengthened my understanding of how digital communities interact within online spaces and how thoughtful interface design can influence participation, communication, and accessibility. Designing for a niche audience reinforced the importance of balancing functionability, organization, and user engagement while creating experiences that feel approachable and community-driven.
This project strengthened my understanding of how digital communities interact within online spaces and how thoughtful interface design can influence participation, communication, and accessibility. Designing for a niche audience reinforced the importance of balancing functionability, organization, and user engagement while creating experiences that feel approachable and community-driven.
