Heuristic Analysis
Comprehensive evaluation using Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics, documenting severity ratings and recommendations for each violation.
View heuristic AnalysisStudent Project • Academic Usability Study
AIATSIS Website Analysis
Identifying Critical Usability Issues in a Government Website
The Challenge
As part of my UX/UI studies, I conducted a comprehensive usability analysis of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) website. The goal was to identify usability issues and propose design improvements that would better serve the site's diverse user base.
The Problem
Through heuristic evaluation and user testing, I discovered that the AIATSIS website suffered from significant navigation problems, poor information architecture, and cultural sensitivity issues that prevented users from easily accessing important cultural resources.
Research & Discovery
Proto-Persona Development
Research Methods
Heuristic Evaluation
Systematic analysis using Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics
Result: 19 usability violations identified
User Testing
Task-based testing with 5 participants representing diverse user groups
Result: Navigation and comprehension issues confirmed
Card Sorting
Information architecture analysis to understand mental models
Result: New navigation structure proposed
Heuristic Evaluation Results
Critical Findings
High Severity
Cultural Acknowledgement Placement
The acknowledgement to Country was hidden at the bottom of the page. For a cultural institution, this should be prominently displayed as a sign of respect and recognition.
High Severity
Navigation Redundancy
The same navigation menu appeared three times on a single page, creating confusion about which to use and why they were duplicated.
Medium Severity
Unclear Site Purpose
Users couldn't determine what AIATSIS was or what services it offered without extensive scrolling and exploration.
Design Solution
Information Architecture Redesign
Based on card sorting results and user feedback, I restructured the site navigation to create clear pathways to content:
New Site Structure
- About — Clear mission and purpose
- Collections — Direct access to cultural resources
- Research — Academic resources and publications
- Learn — Educational programs and resources
- Connect — Community engagement and family history
Homepage Transformation
Before Redesign
Original homepage with repeated navigation, buried cultural acknowledgement, and unclear site purpose.
View Navigation Flow Before
After Redesign
Redesigned homepage featuring prominent acknowledgement to Country, simplified navigation, and clear mission statement.
Key Design Improvements
1. Cultural Recognition
Moved acknowledgement to Country to a prominent position at the top of the homepage, reflecting its cultural importance.
2. Simplified Navigation
Eliminated redundant navigation menus and created a single, clear navigation system with logical groupings.
3. Visual Hierarchy
Introduced clear hero section explaining AIATSIS's mission and purpose immediately upon landing.
4. Cultural Design Elements
Incorporated Aboriginal art patterns and earth-tone color palette inspired by ochre, sand, and natural elements.
Design Process
1
Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframes testing new information architecture and layout
2
User Feedback
Testing wireframes with participants to validate navigation improvements
3
High-Fidelity Mockups
Incorporating cultural design elements and brand guidelines
4
Interactive Prototype
Creating clickable prototype for final user validation
Visual Design Journey
Moodboard
Cultural inspiration using ochre, sand tones, and Aboriginal art patterns.
View Full Moodboard
Wireframes
Testing new navigation structure and content layout before adding visual design.
View Full Wireframes
Final Design
Complete design incorporating cultural respect with modern usability.
View Full PrototypeResults & Learning Outcomes
19
Usability Issues Identified
5
User Tests Conducted
100%
Task Success Rate Improvement
Key Takeaways
Cultural Sensitivity in Design
Learned the importance of culturally appropriate design decisions, especially for institutions representing Indigenous communities. Design choices must reflect and honor the cultural values of the organization.
User-Centered Research Methods
Gained hands-on experience with heuristic evaluation, user testing, and card sorting. Understanding how different research methods complement each other was invaluable.
Information Architecture Principles
Discovered how crucial clear navigation and logical content organization are to user success. Even small structural changes can dramatically improve usability.
Personal Reflection
This project taught me that good UX design isn't just about aesthetics — it's about understanding users deeply and solving real problems. The most meaningful insight was recognizing how design decisions can honor cultural values while improving functionality. Moving the cultural acknowledgement from the footer to a prominent position wasn't just a usability fix; it was a statement of respect and recognition that aligned with AIATSIS's core mission.
Next Steps & Future Considerations
If I were to continue this project, I would:
