Visual Identity, Web Design & UX/UI Design

Visual Identity, Web Design & UX/UI Design

Legacy Database: Kū‘ē Petition ‘Ikebase

Legacy Database: Kū‘ē Petition ‘Ikebase

Bridging Past and Present Through Digital Innovation

Bridging Past and Present Through Digital Innovation

*This is an on-going project, improvements and developments are in the works

*This is an on-going project, improvements and developments are in the works

Visual Identity, Web Design & UX/UI Design

Legacy Database: Kū‘ē Petition ‘Ikebase

Bridging Past and Present Through Digital Innovation

*This is an on-going project, improvements and developments are in the works

The Kū‘ē Petition ‘Ikebase is an ʻŌiwi-based digital platform designed to preserve, share, and provide access to the historic Kū‘ē Petitions, fostering cultural connections and understanding. The project focused on creating a comprehensive, user-friendly database with an intuitive interface and strong visual appeal. By leveraging modern web technologies and integrating cultural design elements, the platform offers a seamless experience for users exploring ancestral knowledge and historical documentation.

Objectives and Goals

Problem Addressed

The original website struggled with performance issues, lacked a cohesive visual identity, and fell short in connecting with its target audience. These challenges hindered its ability to effectively convey its mission of preserving and sharing ʻŌiwi history.

The original website struggled with performance issues, lacked a cohesive visual identity, and fell short in connecting with its target audience. These challenges hindered its ability to effectively convey its mission of preserving and sharing ʻŌiwi history.

Primary Goals

(1) To design intuitive UI components that streamline database navigation and search functionality. (2) To create interactive elements that enhance user engagement while maintaining cultural sensitivity. (3) To develop custom interface patterns that simplify access to and exploration of petition records. (4) To implement responsive design elements that ensure a seamless experience across all devices.

(1) To design intuitive UI components that streamline database navigation and search functionality. (2) To create interactive elements that enhance user engagement while maintaining cultural sensitivity. (3) To develop custom interface patterns that simplify access to and exploration of petition records. (4) To implement responsive design elements that ensure a seamless experience across all devices.

Unique Objective

To establish the Kū‘ē Petition ‘Ikebase as an authoritative digital resource that bridges historical knowledge with contemporary cultural connections.

To establish the Kū‘ē Petition ‘Ikebase as an authoritative digital resource that bridges historical knowledge with contemporary cultural connections.

Research & Insights

Target Audience

Researchers, genealogists, community members, educators, and individuals interested in ʻŌiwi history and the Kū‘ē Petitions.

Researchers, genealogists, community members, educators, and individuals interested in ʻŌiwi history and the Kū‘ē Petitions.

Research Approach

A thorough audit of the existing website revealed areas for improvement in performance, navigation, and accessibility. Community feedback provided insights into user needs, particularly regarding database usability and cultural representation.

A thorough audit of the existing website revealed areas for improvement in performance, navigation, and accessibility. Community feedback provided insights into user needs, particularly regarding database usability and cultural representation.

Key Insights

(1) A more intuitive search and navigation system for exploring the petitions was a concern. (2) Cultural integrity was a critical factor in design, requiring elements that resonate with the communities this platform serves while remaining inclusive.

(1) A more intuitive search and navigation system for exploring the petitions was a concern. (2) Cultural integrity was a critical factor in design, requiring elements that resonate with the communities this platform serves while remaining inclusive.

Design Process

Ideation

Design sessions concentrated on developing effective UI components that would enhance the user interface while maintaining cultural sensitivity. The focus was on creating easy to use and easy to understand navigation systems and database interaction elements.

Design sessions concentrated on developing effective UI components that would enhance the user interface while maintaining cultural sensitivity. The focus was on creating easy to use and easy to understand navigation systems and database interaction elements.

Initial Sketches & Wireframes

Wireframes prioritized user experience through carefully planned interface layouts, emphasizing clear navigation patterns and efficient database access points.

Wireframes prioritized user experience through carefully planned interface layouts, emphasizing clear navigation patterns and efficient database access points.

Iterative Design

Multiple rounds of user testing with community members led to refinements in UI components, including improved search functionality, filtering systems, and interactive elements. Each iteration strengthened the platform's usability while maintaining cultural authenticity.

Multiple rounds of user testing with community members led to refinements in UI components, including improved search functionality, filtering systems, and interactive elements. Each iteration strengthened the platform's usability while maintaining cultural authenticity.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge

Creating intuitive UI components and navigation systems that effectively present complex historical data while maintaining accessibility and cultural authenticity.

Creating intuitive UI components and navigation systems that effectively present complex historical data while maintaining accessibility and cultural authenticity.

Solution

Develop custom UI components focused on improving database navigation and search functionality. This included implementing advanced filtering systems, interactive visualization tools, and responsive layouts. The interface was enhanced with user-centric design elements, while maintaining optimal performance through efficient code architecture and responsive design principles maintained by the projects programmer.

Develop custom UI components focused on improving database navigation and search functionality. This included implementing advanced filtering systems, interactive visualization tools, and responsive layouts. The interface was enhanced with user-centric design elements, while maintaining optimal performance through efficient code architecture and responsive design principles maintained by the projects programmer.

Final Design & Outcomes

Final Product

The redesigned 'Ikebase features custom UI components that enhance user interaction with the database. The interface includes intuitive navigation patterns, advanced filtering systems, and interactive elements that make exploring the petitions effortless while maintaining cultural sensitivity.

The redesigned 'Ikebase features custom UI components that enhance user interaction with the database. The interface includes intuitive navigation patterns, advanced filtering systems, and interactive elements that make exploring the petitions effortless while maintaining cultural sensitivity.

Reflection

This project demonstrates the importance of balancing cultural storytelling with modern technology. By integrating performance improvements the ‘Ikebase stands closer to serving its purpose as a vital resource for preserving and celebrating Hawaiian heritage. Future development is planned to be worked on throughout 2025.

This project demonstrates the importance of balancing cultural storytelling with modern technology. By integrating performance improvements the ‘Ikebase stands closer to serving its purpose as a vital resource for preserving and celebrating Hawaiian heritage. Future development is planned to be worked on throughout 2025.

Impact & Success Metrics

The new interface components have significantly improved user interaction and database accessibility. User testing has confirmed the effectiveness of the navigation systems and search functionality, with community members noting the enhanced ability to explore and connect with the historical content.

The new interface components have significantly improved user interaction and database accessibility. User testing has confirmed the effectiveness of the navigation systems and search functionality, with community members noting the enhanced ability to explore and connect with the historical content.

The Kū‘ē Petition ‘Ikebase is an ʻŌiwi-based digital platform designed to preserve, share, and provide access to the historic Kū‘ē Petitions, fostering cultural connections and understanding. The project focused on creating a comprehensive, user-friendly database with an intuitive interface and strong visual appeal. By leveraging modern web technologies and integrating cultural design elements, the platform offers a seamless experience for users exploring ancestral knowledge and historical documentation.

Objectives and Goals

Problem Addressed

The original website struggled with performance issues, lacked a cohesive visual identity, and fell short in connecting with its target audience. These challenges hindered its ability to effectively convey its mission of preserving and sharing ʻŌiwi history.

Primary Goals

(1) To design intuitive UI components that streamline database navigation and search functionality. (2) To create interactive elements that enhance user engagement while maintaining cultural sensitivity. (3) To develop custom interface patterns that simplify access to and exploration of petition records. (4) To implement responsive design elements that ensure a seamless experience across all devices.

Unique Objective

To establish the Kū‘ē Petition ‘Ikebase as an authoritative digital resource that bridges historical knowledge with contemporary cultural connections.

Research & Insights

Target Audience

Researchers, genealogists, community members, educators, and individuals interested in ʻŌiwi history and the Kū‘ē Petitions.

Research Approach

A thorough audit of the existing website revealed areas for improvement in performance, navigation, and accessibility. Community feedback provided insights into user needs, particularly regarding database usability and cultural representation.

Key Insights

(1) A more intuitive search and navigation system for exploring the petitions was a concern. (2) Cultural integrity was a critical factor in design, requiring elements that resonate with the communities this platform serves while remaining inclusive.

Design Process

Ideation

Design sessions concentrated on developing effective UI components that would enhance the user interface while maintaining cultural sensitivity. The focus was on creating easy to use and easy to understand navigation systems and database interaction elements.

Initial Sketches & Wireframes

Wireframes prioritized user experience through carefully planned interface layouts, emphasizing clear navigation patterns and efficient database access points.

Iterative Design

Multiple rounds of user testing with community members led to refinements in UI components, including improved search functionality, filtering systems, and interactive elements. Each iteration strengthened the platform's usability while maintaining cultural authenticity.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge

Creating intuitive UI components and navigation systems that effectively present complex historical data while maintaining accessibility and cultural authenticity.

Solution

Develop custom UI components focused on improving database navigation and search functionality. This included implementing advanced filtering systems, interactive visualization tools, and responsive layouts. The interface was enhanced with user-centric design elements, while maintaining optimal performance through efficient code architecture and responsive design principles maintained by the projects programmer.

Final Design & Outcomes

Final Product

The redesigned 'Ikebase features custom UI components that enhance user interaction with the database. The interface includes intuitive navigation patterns, advanced filtering systems, and interactive elements that make exploring the petitions effortless while maintaining cultural sensitivity.

Reflection

This project demonstrates the importance of balancing cultural storytelling with modern technology. By integrating performance improvements the ‘Ikebase stands closer to serving its purpose as a vital resource for preserving and celebrating Hawaiian heritage. Future development is planned to be worked on throughout 2025.

Impact & Success Metrics

The new interface components have significantly improved user interaction and database accessibility. User testing has confirmed the effectiveness of the navigation systems and search functionality, with community members noting the enhanced ability to explore and connect with the historical content.