Role: Design, IA, Specifications
Working with: Connector Branding
Working closely with the client and the Connector Branding team, we developed a site with a fresh visual language and a search application interface to bring style and order to a complex and chaotic market. One of the client’s stated goals was to enliven and update what is, to put in bluntly, generally a pretty crappy looking category.
PartsRiver wanted to use their web site both to describe the database services they offer to heavy-duty truck parts buyers and introduce a powerful web-based part search application. We made the search input the focus knowing that buyers could use some help in their hour of need.
The PartsRiver CEO, tech and domain leads all wanted a very collaborative process when working out the details of the search path. So, together with the Connector Branding team, we engaged in a series of working sessions in which we white boarded our way through the details together. Tight wireframes were developed and refined allowing the dev team to get a jump on their build. Key among our objectives were the desire to present clear tools for narrowing and expanding a search, showing comparable parts and finding the closest part seller to you. We strove to limit detail shown to avoid overwhelming users.
As is often the case, the client wanted to extend the look and feel to other touchpoints to create a unified brand presence. For PartsRiver, the visual vocabulary was also applied to a sales sheet format, print ads, web button ads and a trade show banner.
Web site design:
Texaco
Icons/spot illustration:
GE
Or:
Drop me a line to discuss a project.