AFDA Experimental & Graduation Festival Website 2021

In 2021, I undertook the challenge of transforming the AFDA Experimental and Graduation Festivals from in-person events to an online showcase. Serving as both a Web Designer and UX/UI Designer, my role extended beyond design, encompassing strategy, user experience, and content integration.

PUBLISHED

2021

Role

Web Design & SEO

INDUSTRY

AFDA - Education

Link

https://festival.afda.co.za/

Problem Statement

The onset of COVID-19 necessitated a digital transition for the AFDA festivals. The aim was to replicate the energy of the live festivals and broaden their reach to a global online audience.

Objectives & Goals

Recreate the festival experience online.
Expand the audience globally.
Design an intuitive, immersive website.
Implement a robust SEO strategy.

Challenges

Adapting to the pandemic’s challenges.
Maintaining the festivals’ vibrancy in a digital context.
Ensuring user-friendliness for a diverse global audience.
Maximizing online visibility through SEO.

Process

In-Depth Research and Analysis: Comprehensive research on digital event hosting and user preferences.
Iterative Design and User Testing: Ongoing design iterations and user testing for engagement.
Collaboration with Artists and Organizers: Close collaboration to represent artists’ work authentically.

Solution

A dynamic online platform simulated the live festival experience, enabling exploration of films, live performances, and art exhibitions.

Website

Results

The transition to a digital platform marked a resounding success. Over 100,000 viewers worldwide engaged with the festivals, demonstrating the potential of digital platforms to transcend physical constraints and amplify artistic expression.

01 Traffic Galore

Over 100,000 global viewers engaged with festival content.

02 More People saw the glorious work

50 times more in website traffic compared to in-person festivals.

Reflections

This project highlighted the synergy between art and technology, emphasizing the impact of strategic web design and user experience. It reinforced the value of adaptability and innovation in challenging times and shaped my approach to designing digital experiences that connect, inspire, and transcend boundaries.