About the project
The Virtual Library is a digital collection of academic books available in over 400 educational institutions, with more than 3 million active users.

Problem
At the time, the Virtual Library platform was undergoing a functional overhaul and launching a new app. It was essential to design a new website to promote this updated platform. The challenge was to make the site appealing to both educational institution decision-makers and individual students. The vision was to create a "Netflix for academic books".

Solution
A clean, modern, and attractive design was implemented to reflect the platform’s image. The navigation structure was designed to be clear and consistent, making content easy to find. Subscription options were included to accommodate both institutions and individual students.

Contributions

Understanding user needs
Market research and benchmarking
Wireframe creation
High-fidelity UI design for all pages

Process

Understanding
Started with a briefing session with the Virtual Library team to understand goals, audience, and desired features. Timelines and deliverables were established.

Research
Benchmarked similar streaming platforms to identify best practices in navigation and presentation. Also conducted user research to gather expectations from digital book services.

Definition
Defined the site's architecture and created a site map to ensure an intuitive navigation flow. Identified key pages like homepage, search, and registration.

Ideation
Sketched out each page to visualize functionality and structure. These early drafts ensured all crucial elements were included.

Prototyping
Created mid-fidelity prototypes and a moodboard to guide the visual language. These were tested with users to validate usability and design decisions.

Implementation
Delivered fully documented UI layouts with technical specs for the dev team. Worked closely with developers to ensure faithful implementation.

Results & Challenges

One of the biggest challenges was creating an information architecture that served both tech-savvy and non-tech users. User testing helped guide refinements in navigation. Another challenge was aligning various stakeholders’ feedback, which was resolved through a clear review and approval process.

Key Learnings

This project highlighted the importance of aligning design with business strategy. I learned to approach each screen as a tool for user acquisition and value generation. Benchmarking successful references also helped me define smarter user flows and create a more strategic site map.

Skills: UX Research, UI Design, Wireframing, Low-Fidelity Prototyping, Design System, Accessibility, Inclusive Design

📚 Virtual Library Subscription Website