I began by exploring the existing website and found that it lacked personality and playfulness, making it harder for users to feel connected. To better understand user needs, I researched competitors, conducted user interviews and surveys, and visited a local animal shelter for a field study to evaluate navigation, usability, and what motivates people to donate or get involved. A key insight was that users responded especially well to fun, interactive icons with personality.

Building on this research, I developed user personas and journey maps, then designed low- and high-fidelity wireframes for both desktop and mobile. I incorporated new color, playful language, imagery, custom icons, and subtle animations to create a site that feels approachable, memorable, and easy to use, testing iteratively to ensure usability and accessibility throughout the entire process.