Education
Look, listen & learn
Sector:
Education / Cultural Heritage
Services:
Web pages creation & building · Re-design · Usability · Search Optimisation
.. technical
✓ UX / UI Engineering · ✓ Visuals & images optimisation · ✓ Front-end Development · ✓ Search engine optimization ·
Background
Recognized as a specialist with extensive experience in governmental digital projects, ALEXXDESIGN was engaged by the Royal Dutch Library (Koninklijke Bibliotheek) to analyze and enhance their digital portal, Delpher. Delpher serves as a vital national resource, offering access to millions of historical books, newspapers, radio messagess and other cultural materials.
The existing portal faced several technical and design challenges, including an outdated web development framework, a user interface that no longer met modern standards, and inconsistent responsiveness across devices, impairing usability and user satisfaction.
Key Challanges
- Outdated Web Design and Interface
The visual and structural aspects of the portal were no longer aligned with current web development standards, leading to a dated appearance and poor user engagement. - Subpar User Experience
Users encountered difficulties navigating the portal efficiently, with a lack of intuitive pathways and accessibility issues. - Inconsistent Responsiveness
The portal's layout and functionality were not optimized for various devices, affecting accessibility on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. - Maintaining User Familiarity
Stakeholders preferred a redesign that preserved familiar workflows and functionality to minimize user disruption.
Project Challenge
The primary goal was to modernize the portal`s web development framework and design elements—namely, the web design and development—while preserving the core user experience that users had grown accustomed to. This delicate balance aimed to refresh the platform aesthetically and technically without alienating existing users.
Stakeholders emphasized that the portal's usability issues had been tolerated over time, and any redesign should improve the interface and technical performance with minimal change to user routines. The project also had strict deadlines and budget considerations, requiring a strategic and efficient approach.
Approach and Solutions
Web Development Overhaul
Upgrading the portal`s underlying technology stack to ensure faster load times, enhanced security, and better maintainability.
Web Design Modernization
Creating a clean, contemporary visual identity that aligns with current digital standards, improving aesthetic appeal and brand consistency.
User Experience Optimization
Conducting user research to identify pain points, then redesigning navigation flows and interaction patterns to enhance usability without altering core functionalities.
Responsive Design Implementation
Developing a fully responsive layout that adapts seamlessly across all devices, ensuring a consistent and accessible experience for all users.
Preserving Familiarity
Carefully balancing new design elements with existing workflows to ensure users encounter a familiar interface, reducing learning curves and resistance to change.
Results
Enhanced User Satisfaction:
The new, mobile-friendly interface led to positive feedback from users, with follow-up surveys indicating increased satisfaction and ease of use.
Increased Engagement:
The portal experienced higher user engagement, with longer session durations and more frequent feature utilization.
Improved Functionality:
Navigational improvements allowed users to locate materials more efficiently, decreasing frustration and improving overall usability.
Technical Modernization:
The upgraded web development foundation ensured faster performance, better security, and easier future updates.
Conclusion
This project successfully balanced modernization with user familiarity, resulting in a more attractive, responsive, and user-centered portal for Dutch National Library / Delpher from The Hague.
By integrating contemporary web development practices with thoughtful user experience and web design, we delivered a platform that meets current standards while respecting the portal's long-standing user base.
The Delpher portal now provides a more efficient, accessible and engaging experience for all users, reaffirming the importance of a holistic approach that values both visual appeal and functional usability in digital heritage projects.
