Responsive Design
5HTP
Project Scope & Details
Duration: 2 weeks
My Role: UX/UI Designer
Team: Solo Project
Stakeholders: Joey Goldman, Event Producer/Founder/Resident
Impact: Increased donations by 20%, streamlined volunteer sign-ups, and clear, community-focused design that resonates with new and returning visitors.
In June 2020, I visited Fire Island Pines for the first time. After months of isolation, the island’s quiet vibe was a stark contrast to the vibrant community I’d heard so much about. But as my friend shared his stories of past summers, I felt the spirit of the Pines come alive again… the warmth of the community and the connection that made the island special. This sense of belonging was something I wanted to help preserve.
When Joey asked me to redesign the website for his not-for-profit event, 5HTP, I saw an opportunity to create more than just a site. I wanted to help rebuild that sense of connection. The existing website wasn’t supporting his goals, especially around donations and volunteer sign-ups, so I set out to design something that would strengthen the community and make 5HTP a recurring, sustainable event.
The Problem: A Site That Needed More Than a Facelift
Joey’s website was missing essential elements to keep 5HTP alive long-term. With only two pages, one for the homepage and another for the form to sign up for volunteers or the mailing list, the site lacked a donation button. Joey needed to generate consistent donations to sustain the event, but there was no clear way for users to contribute.
On top of that, volunteers were essential for organizing the event, but getting people to sign up was a challenge. Most visitors came to Fire Island to relax, not to work.
Lastly, the site didn’t effectively communicate what 5HTP was about, leaving newcomers unsure of what the event was or why they should care. I knew I had to fix these issues and create a platform that could support Joey’s goals.
To guide the design, I interviewed four people who spent summers at Fire Island. Their insights helped shape my understanding of the site’s audience. I created three key personas based on the feedback:
Tony, the first-timer, needed clear, simple information about what 5HTP was and why he should get involved.
Danny, the community connector, wanted to easily volunteer and contribute to keeping the community alive.
Sean, the thoughtful supporter, wanted to donate, but only if he understood where his money was going.
What stood out in the interviews was how much the users craved community. Saying "Hi" on the boardwalk and connecting with others was a huge part of the island’s charm, and I knew the design needed to reflect that sense of belonging.
UX Design: Crafting a Seamless, Community-Centered Experience
With the personas in mind, I made several key design decisions to address Joey’s needs:
Transparent Donations: I placed the donation button on a dedicated page, ensuring users could see exactly where their money would go. This wasn’t just about asking for cash; it was about supporting the community and the spirit of the event.
Volunteer Sign-Ups: To make volunteering easier, I added a clear volunteer button on the volunteer page, information as to what needs to be done, as well as a section on the homepage thanking those who volunteered, helping them feel recognized and part of the event.
Information for New Visitors: The homepage included clear messaging and a prominent link to an About Page that showed what 5HTP was and its mission, ensuring new visitors could understand what they were supporting and how they could get involved.
I started with low-fidelity wireframes to focus on structure and user flow. After Joey gave feedback on the wireframes, I shifted the color palette. Initially, I had chosen beach-inspired colors (blue and mustard), but Joey pointed out that 5HTP was about a nighttime beach party lit with Christmas lights. I then updated the color palette to a purple hue based on a photo Joey sent, which captured the event’s energy and glow.
Once I was ready for the high-fidelity designs, I incorporated images from Joey’s collection to create a visual connection to the island’s party atmosphere. The final site was dynamic, vibrant, and community-focused. Perfectly aligned with 5HTP’s spirit.
After
Usability Testing: Validating the Design
I ran usability tests with four users to ensure the site met its goals. The results were overwhelmingly positive:
Tony’s Goal: 100% of users understood what 5HTP was about.
Danny’s Goal: 100% of users could sign up to volunteer and understood what their contribution would entail.
Sean’s Goal: 100% of users found the donation button and understood where their money was going.
