EssentialZen Yoga Studio is a warm, welcoming yoga studio located in Aurora, OH that embraces authenticity and community through their unique offerings. This company had an existing website that received feedback for multiple areas needing improvement for a better user experience.
My role was to redesign EssentialZen Yoga Studio’s website to effectively communicate their mission, reorganize their informational hierarchy and UX design within each page, update the body copy as well as imagery, create a newsletter subscription form and gift certificate, include animations, and enhance their branding throughout the website within the platform Wix. In each change I made, I also ensured the site was mobile responsive.
Several areas were found that required updating on each page including the imagery, presentation of pricing and memberships, navigational issues, and brand identity.
Before and After Designs
The Home Page heading and navigation were updated in body copy, headings, styling and navigation. I created the tagline “Real Vibes. Warm Community. Exceptional Teachers.” within the heading to harness their brand intentions. I also cleaned up the wording and stylized the buttons with the brand colors. The sign in/register was an area clients had troubles finding, so I kept one of the buttons here on the main page as well as including another link within the navigation at the top right corner, where most users would typically find this option.
The Pricing Page required the most changes and collaboration with the studio owner to meet her needs and goals. Hero Images were included across all pages with the imagery selected by myself that aligned with the page information. For this Hero Image, I chose one that did not include a yoga pose or a student’s face, and focused more on props that are used within a calming class (Restorative Yoga or Sound Baths). This way, the imagery with yoga poses throughout the website are not repetitive or intimidating for newcomers, instead a calming trustworthy vibe is focused for the Pricing Page. The presentation of each membership was redesigned and placed within shapes combined with iconography while using the brand colors. The studio owner requested some memberships be available on a separate page, so I ensured to organize this into the design as well. Though this was not requested, I created a Gift Certificate image to provide a visual for clients, which the owner decided to keep and use to print out for her studio as well at no extra charge. Imagery was placed at the bottom of each page to provide further navigation to other pages across the site.
The new client page had some heading and contrast issues that were fixed so the text is readable and in hierarchy format. I chose a different image from the owner’s library and chose a more relatable image for new clients, where one is being greeted as they enter the studio and smiling while holding her yoga mat. This imagery presents a positive experience for those who may feel shy when entering into a new experience. The text was also reorganized and slightly reworded for better reading and marketability.
The Classes Page provided more information about the studio and what types of classes they offer. I changed the Hero image to a more flattering image that captures the inside of the studio, presenting students who are showing interest in classes at the front desk. The hierarchy and body copy was reorganized and reworded for optimal presentation with the buttons updated to show differentiation in offerings while harnessing the brand style. I also created an email sign-up form for the studio owner and included this here. More imagery for navigation was included at the bottom of this page.
The studio owner was tentative on inserting imagery that included images of herself to which I respected, but she did agree to this image on the Contact Page which shows herself, her long time teacher at the studio, and the EssentialZen Yoga Studio sign behind them. I also included iconography and realigned the company’s contact information, reworded the body copy, and included social media links with the email subscription form.
For Our Teachers Page, I maintained consistency with using Hero Images then included her brand’s new tagline within a warm and inviting description to introduce the teachers of the yoga studio. I chose an image of a teacher leading a class with EssentialZen Yoga Studio’s logo on her shirt, all making sure these pages are mobile responsive throughout.
What I Learned
Although the pages you see above are the main pages that needed redesigned, other pages were updated as well to maintain the consistency and brand identity throughout. This experience was a positive, fun, and rewarding experience. The studio owner was great to work with and felt satisfied with the designs I brought forth to her. Moving forward, I still help to maintain any changes or upgrades she may need.
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