Open Raven Research:
Web for Open Source

Context

Open Raven, a data security startup based in Los Angeles, faced the challenge of creating a separate website for its growing research division. As the research team expanded, the need for a distinct online presence became evident to effectively serve engineers and the data security community.

My Roles & Responsibilities

UX/UI Design, UX Research, Branding, Webflow Web Development

Team

B. Boyle, Head of Customer Experience

Project Status

Live on openraven.com/research

Timeline

8 Weeks (Jul - Aug 2021)

Challenge

Open Raven needed a dedicated website for its research division to better serve the data security community and provide engineers with easy access to resources.

Solution

Through competitive analysis, user interviews, and iterative prototyping, I designed and developed a user-centered website using Webflow, tailored to the needs of data security engineers.

Result

The Open Raven Research website launched successfully within the tight timeframe, providing a valuable resource hub for engineers and showcasing the research division's work. The project also led to the implementation of a standardized design system for improved consistency and scalability across Open Raven's web properties

Problem Statement

Cyber security engineers interested in Open Raven’s
open-source technology cannot access their research tools and do not have context on the tools.

Research

Primary Research Insights: Interviews

Design Process

Sitemaps

I built out an initial information architecture site map based on the conducted user interviews and adjusted the map to reflect a realistic structure at the time of launch. A major consideration was the fact that a lot of the originally planned content would not be developed in time for launch.

Sketching

In the initial set of sketches,
I brainstormed how to showcase the tools themselves at the core of the layout and make sure that the CTA buttons are easily accessible.

Branding

To ensure consistency between the main Open Raven brand and the brand of the research arm, I conducted a brand audit, which revealed that Open Raven’s main brand is centered around a vibrant color palette, solid landscapes, and birds.

The main idea behind the Open Raven Research visual brand is the inversion of the main brand. Providing open-source technologies to the public is a metaphor for showing the skeleton of the company, symbolized by the use of line art. Furthermore, the utilitarian nature of the organization further inspires a minimalist feel.

High Fidelity Design

Outcomes

Increased Visibility

The new website contributed to increased access & awareness of Open Raven Research tools, serving as a platform for open sources tool launch, which went from 0 to 80 stars on GitHub within 3 months of site launch.

Design Influence on
Main Brand

The design decisions I made in terms of typography influenced the design of the main corporate site & the product.

Web Development System Overhaul

Based on the development process inefficiencies I noticed during this project, I proactively took on the implementation of a new Webflow web development system which became the basis for a complete redesign of the main corporate site.

What I Learned

Web Design Skills

I was able to strengthen my web design skills as I did not know how to use Webflow prior to this project. The Webflow skills I took away from this project were crucial for my further contributions at Open Raven.

Time Management Skills

I also had to learn how to communicate with multiple stakeholders (CTO, research engineers, Head of Customer Experience) and incorporate their feedback.

Time Management

this was a valuable lesson in time management as I was responsible for the end-to-end execution of this website. 

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