For this assignment, I am developing a mid-fidelity prototype that demonstrates clearly how my early research, sketches, and initial design thinking are evolving into a functional digital experience. Developing upon the foundations from Assignment 1, this stage of the project focuses on transforming quick and rough concepts into a much clearer, more structured system that shows how a user would navigate the platform, interact with key information, and ultimately be encouraged to take meaningful action, which is the main goal of the site. The mid-fidelity stage allows me to move beyond initial ideas and begin testing how the design works in real practice, revealing whether the layout and user flow genuinely support the goals of the project. My project involves creating a website prototype for The Participatory Collective, a group that brings together various Ideas Fund initiatives based in Hull. The purpose of the platform is to offer an inviting and accessible space that shares community experiences, highlights local voices, and encourages people to connect with the work happening across the collective. This will be created with a clickable experience with a strong user flow and visual structure, focusing on any key decisions, challenges, and feedback.
Moreover, the main purpose of this prototype is to explore how a shared online space can represent and support a collective of community groups, highlight their values, and make their work more visible to a wider audience. From the beginning, my aim has been to create a platform that not only presents information but also actively encourages engagement, whether that means reading about local activities, exploring upcoming events, or getting directly involved etc. Due to this, a key focus has been developing a clear call to action that feels natural within the design and is supported by the storytelling and structure of the site. As my design transitions into mid-fidelity, the emphasis focuses on layout, structure, and interaction. This stage gives me space to experiment with navigation, structure, and identify potential points of confusion before committing to a final visual direction. I thoroughly enjoy this stage, as it gives me an element of development and exploration. It also considers how different users, including those with varying levels of digital confidence, might experience and navigate their way around the platform. Ultimately, I believe that decisions around accessibility, tone of voice, and visual designs, all play an essential role in shaping a design that feels welcoming and representative of a community-focused site.