Lettersmith
Project Overview
Lettersmith is an online learning platform where instructors can provide their students with writing prompts and examples to assist them as they compose a specific piece of writing.
The Team
I took on the role of Lettersmith's Design Lead & Project Lead. Throughout the span of the project, I worked with multiple developers, a couple designers, various project managers, a behavioral scientist, and Lettersmith's external project stakeholder.
The Problems
Lettersmith lacked a brand identity, which made it difficult for users to build familiarity and trust with the platform. The interface displayed a limited color palette, which left users unable to locate important elements on the interface.
Confusion arose from outdated explainer videos. Also, the writing templates housed within Lettersmith were insufficiently organized.
Click here to see an example of the old interface.
Our Goal
Our goal was to provide users with a platform they could easily recognize, rely on, and use by creating a unique logo, utilizing consistent colors and typography, animating succinct explainer videos, and implementing additional organizational features.
Research & Initial Design Ideation
We began our research with a competitive analysis to understand how other products in a similar field were operating both visually and functionally.
Once we had gathered insights and inspiration from like products, we began visual explorations for Lettersmith's brand identity in the form of mood-boards and logo sketches.
Process Work
Multiple logos and design directions were explored and presented. Our team came to a consensus on a logo and brand identity that we felt best represented Lettersmith's academic nature, while still honoring the tool's friendly and approachable spirit.
The Results
Over time and iteration, Lettersmith's visual identity formed! We were also able to design, test, and build our "Collections" feature to provide easier organization for the writing templates within Lettersmith.
Lettersmith’s updated dashboard allows for high level writing template organization within the “Collections” feature and a section for “Public Templates” that are accessible to all! Click here to view an example of Lettersmith’s old dashboard.
Lettersmith’s new landing page was improved by including a modernized serif and a welcoming sans serif, accent colors to bring more excitement and direction to the pages, and animations to showcase important feature workflows!
Positive feedback from team members and users validated our design decisions.
“Wow this looks great! I think people will easily understand how it works from the landing page now.”
“Thank you to Macy for all your creativity and hard work on public pages.”
Draft & Annotate Animation
Explore Examples Animation
Give & Receive Feedback Animation
I had fun creating stickers to show off what Lettersmith is about because who doesn’t love a good bit of swag!
