Wesoła Apartments is a project directed to demanding people, who look for modern and surprising architectural solutions in a perfect localisation

We wanted the completion to be distinguishable for its boldness and designer’s style. Equally important was the functionality of tools, which would make familiarising with the offer interesting and easy. We were given then two tasks:

• Presenting the project in a unique way
• Creating a functional and user-friendly website

Layout

Our goal was to create a project perfectly tailored for the construction project, stylistically related to the used architectural solutions. We wanted not only to avoid the cliché of shiny happy family with their dream apartment at the background but most of all to create an original and unique concept.

The website is clear and consists only of the necessary information. From the level of the main page we presented visualisation and localisation of the project with a map. News is also an important element, where investor will keep users up-to-date about the next steps of the project. However, we put the main accent on a very good presentation of the project visualisation, thus several views to choose from.

Interactive visualisations

We proposed an interesting and comfortable way of browsing through apartments. While exploring the project you can choose an apartment of interest directly from the visualisation. After clicking on an apartment you go to description details, such as a surface area, room layout, price, etc. There is also a plan of apartment and a preview of apartment location. In addition to this, you can go directly from there to calculate instalment credit or contact directly with the seller.

Interactive table of appartments

Following one of our core rules – usability, we created an interactive table with a list of apartments. This tool will support process of browsing and comparing apartments. The table covers key information related to particular apartments, including the status of an apartment (sold or available). A cursor follows our search and activates a preview of an apartment on the project visualisation – the suitable miniature pops out. After clicking on the chosen apartment we go to the dedicated subsite.

Interactive views

Garages and tenants storage rooms are important elements of any offer but unfortunately they are usually poorly represented in developers’ websites. We then decided to meet the expectations of the future clients of the investor and created a tool that would easily present location and accessibility of this aspect of the offer. Our interactive presentation of the layout of particular garages and storage rooms includes availability status marked with appropriate colour together with a brief description of the parameters. In a similar way commercial premises were presented.

Other elements

Other key elements, such as quick contact form, maps of location of the project or photo gallery, couldn’t be omitted. The website was properly prepared for browsers and equipped with comfortable panel of content management system. 

We hope that such prepared website will help the developer to efficiently show all the strong points of the project and enable his clients to easily access information on their dream apartment. 

Our primary goal was to build an image of a professional, innovative and open company.

We based the logo on the name of the company, which derived from the anglicised version of the owner’s last name (“lark”). We opted for origami-style references to stress the features like complexity of the offer and perfectionism.

The website presents the company’s services in a clear and comprehensive way. It was based on CMS WordPress modified in a way to enable content managers to easily edit all elements of the website created by us.

The website has mainly an informative character. On the main page news can be found about the conference. Logotypes of sponsors and partners play important role, yet we strived to integrate it into the webpage so that they wouldn’t negatively affect its layout and legibility, which is often the case with this kind of websites.

In a conference, it’s the participants who really matter, which is why we took great care while creating registration on the website. Users can use online registration form, directed by a distinct “Call to action” button.

What would encourage visitors to participate in the conference? Agenda and speakers. That is why we decided to get these two items out of a standard menu and include them in the website composition. Speakers’ photos with a brief description attached change randomly, encouraging clicking on it and going to the full description.

The graphic project is related to the new identification. The interface together with the illustration created by us gives atmosphere of a cafe, where the conference participants meet and work. Coffee in IT field strongly connotes JAVA technology, which is the main theme of the event.

 While working on functionality, we concentrated on providing a simple and accessible project presentation. A user visiting the website can choose an apartment while browsing through building visualisations (if the placement of the apartment is of primary significance for them) or compare all apartments on the list. From both of these places they can go to a view of an apartment, where again they can see its parameters and plan. If interested, he or she can easily go to instalment calculator on the website of the sales office of the developer. Each apartment can have two statuses: available or sold.

The building also has an underground garage (with parking places and tenants storage rooms) and commercial premises on the ground floor. The visiting user can explore both levels and check surface area and status of the chosen objects.

 Visitors will also find on the website information on the project (including finishing standard, localisation, and gallery), news and a contact form.

 Our graphic project relates to modern architecture of the building and is adequate to the characteristics of the target (people having modern and active way of life, associated with the bustling city of Krakow).

Website creation steps

Analysis

Before we start with the concept work we get to know our client’s profile, environment and needs. Brand specificity, its characteristic features, mission, objectives, target group and the main competitors in the field – they all provide information crucial to our work.

To keep presentation of the brand consistent we need to know the brand image, its existing visual identity. For the created website to be effective we need to get to know its users and the way they use the Internet, we need to be able to stand in their shoes.

Information architecture design

A website’s role is simply to convey information which must be presented to user in an accessible way.

A good website is like a well designed building, which layout allows a visitor to find information without hassle. A well laid out interior of a website is the result of a responsible approach to information architecture.

Designing with information architecture in mind we define website content, group its component by topics, create a links’ network between all subpages and design the most optimal navigation.

Functional design

This stage can be compared to building with bricks. While designing page functionality we create mock-ups which let us determine components’ location and functions, as well as how the content will be presented.

Mock-ups are not only the best starting point for graphic designer but also a great way to show the future version of the website to the client and dispel any doubts concerning its functioning. Introducing changes to functional design at this stage requires smaller amount of work than at the later stages such as graphic design or implementation.

Graphic design

After we decide on the final shape of the website together with the client, we then proceed to “clothe it” in graphic design. At this stage we make use of all of the previously acquired information about brand image and materials from client.

First, we create homepage design representative for the look of the finished website. After the design is given the green light from the client, we can move on to the remaining subpages.

Implementation

When the graphic design is complete we move on to the implementation stage. First, we install and configure CMS system, we create skeleton of the website with added functionality. Next step is cutting the design and coding the graphic design to work with underlying CMS engine.

This is when we often add “start up” content to the website if provided by client.

Testing

During testing we check if the site renders properly in major web browsers and whether all the interactive elements work as designed. We then put final polish to whatever that could use a little improvement :).

Transferring the website to the client

The final and tested version of the website is transferred to the target hosting server.

Now what is left is to train clients how to use the CMS system so they can add and modify the content of their website easily.

In case of bigger and more complex websites such as portals and internet applications more design steps may be necessary. It would also imply different ways of testing but that’s another story and shall be told another time … :)  

Practically speaking, brand image has been created from scratch. The starting point was to create the name. In the next stage we developed visual identification of the brand, focusing primarily on logo. The sign that we created is based upon a simple symbol of shop cart with “S” letter inscribed in it.

 We also created a simple website, so called “one-page”, comprised of the main page only. All this was done for the user to be able to quickly reach the most important contents. In order to even faster present the essence of Sugentum to the user we designed and made animation which promotes the product. 

Customer asked us to design new web page, which would meet customer’s functional requirements and help create fresh and attractive image of the studio on the net.  Previous web page was created by means of web creator of one of hosting provider.  Its graphic design left a lot to be desired. Information architecture was confusing and incomprehensible to visitors.

We created a design that is visually attractive and, thanks to its functionality, meets users’ expectations. We clearly distinguished seasonal promotions from fixed packages offered to customers.  Due to our rich offer we split it together with price list into categories, which allowed reaching the desired information faster.

The site was enriched by the addition of news and clear presentation of the Studio’s location. It was based on modified CMS WordPress for all elements designed by us to be easy to edit by people who manage the content.

Students, doctoral students and research fellows were eligible for the competition. The task of the users was to earn as much virtual zlotys as possible.

The user could score points by answering questions covering such areas as, for instance, entrepreneurship, economy and European funds or by inviting friends to apply.

In spite of restrictive guidelines of the project we managed to engage about 340 people in it. While resolving business issues and answering questions they altogether earned 561 200 virtual zlotys during this time!

The service in clearly presents the information concerning the current edition (program, news, laureates etc.) as well as the archive describing previous editions. 

Website is based on CMS WordPress modified so all elements of the page could be easily filled up by people who manage the content.  The website functions in two language versions (Polish and English), which can be easily edited from the level of one CMS.

Student Song Festival is the oldest cultural event of academic community in Poland and also the oldest – launched in 1962 – Song Festival in Poland.