Interior Designer Website Case Study
In my Case Study series I will be walking through my process with my clients, our meetings and how the website design developed throughout the project. This website project was my custom website design package and was completed in around 6 weeks.
Interior design website enquiry
My client Brooke first reached out through my enquiry form after finding me on Kerstin Martin’s Squarespace Designer list. Brooke owns an interior design studio called Brooke Copp-Barton Interiors and was in the process of upgrading and refining her business branding. The goal was to appeal to a higher-end market and to showcase more of her recent work.
Our initial discovery call
EXISTING WEBSITE
After an initial enquiry, I always schedule a Zoom meeting with potential clients so we can better get to know each other and to help me understand their pain points with any existing websites or within their business.
During the call, we can also cover more general questions about the Squarespace platform and the costs and maintenance involved (which I talk about here).
Brooke had an existing Squarespace website on the older version of the platform (version 7.0) so was looking to upgrade to their new 7.1 builder alongside the redesign. She had also researched interior designers working in a similar market, whose websites we would look to for inspiration (Laura Stephens & Sarah Brown Interiors).
Goals for an interior design website
The design brief for the project was:
A new Squarespace website using updated branding, to create a more high-end and refined site that will attract the clients you aim to work with going forward. The website should have an editorial feel, with 'white' space allowing the images and minimal text to breathe. Warm tones will be used in the site, picking up on the new brand and stark white backgrounds should be avoided. Also key to the design will be both displaying industry-standard, portrait images in a user-friendly way and ensuring all images are responsive to the screen width.
Prepping for the project
Once the project has been booked in, the contract is signed and deposit paid, I share a Welcome Pack with clients. This includes:
An invitation to our project board on Asana, where we will manage project tasks and deadlines
A link to a shared Google Drive where branding, images and copy can be uploaded. Within the folder is also a Copy Writing document which can be filled out to help with writing the text for the website.
Short tutorial videos explaining how to use Asana, Google Drive and inviting me to any existing websites
First website draft
The first draft of the website is presented as a static PDF which can be commented on by the client, paired with a video review where I can explain the thinking behind the design decisions. This mock-up pulled in the new brand colours as the client was keen the add some rich, jewel tones throughout. I also looked at various ways to display the interior design imagery, which is often a portrait alignment, in the form of a full width split gallery, a scrolling slideshow and full height section images.
Relook at the design
After review by my client Brooke, we decided that actually the design approach was too busy and she was very keen to utilise a fixed side menu. For the redesigned draft I moved into Squarespace as design features such as the fixed menu are hard to get a proper feel for in a static mock-up. The great thing about using Squarespace is that you can jump straight into the build whilst the site is in a 6 month trial mode, so there is no rush to get the account set up or domain connected.
Another design element that was key to an interior design was creating a cohesive, clean and easy to update projects/portfolio page. We wanted to create a gallery style landing page to showcase the best image for each project, which could then click through to a more detailed page with a short project description and a full project gallery.
The final product
Once Brooke was happy with the design, there are final handover prep tasks for both me and the client. For me, I want to ensure all of the site settings are correctly set up, ensure all of the SEO information is completed and the entire site has been tested on tablet, mobile and various browsers. The client will set up a new subscription with Squarespace allowing me to then connect the domain and publish the website.
Project handover
At handover I create a package of information for the client to support them with their new website. This includes collating any new design files used on the website and a library of tutorial videos. These tutorials will allow Brooke to make updates to the site, such as adding new projects, herself.
Reviewing the project
Before I became a full-time website designer, I studied architecture and worked as an architectural assistant. I believe this background in building design helps me get into the mindset of interior design clients, to understand their needs and aesthetics. I'm really pleased with how this website turned out and can report that Brooke was happy too...
Client Feedback
What was your biggest struggle with your website before we worked together?
I wanted to update the look and feel of the site to make the photography of our projects really stand out, and make the whole site feel more up market and better reflect the work that we are doing.
How do you expect your new site to help your business/workflow?
The website is extremely important for my new business - it is a showcase of the work we do, and whilst it isn't necessarily a lead generator in its own right, all potential clients will look at this before committing to work with us.
What's your favourite part of your new site?
It's simplicity and the way it really shows off the photography - I like how each photograph feels like it is framed like a piece of art.
Have you found this an enjoyable process?
Very - you were extremely clear from the outset, and the whole process has been incredibly organised and straightforward. I think your communication is excellent and you have been very proactive and responsive. I also think you have been very collaborative - listening to feedback and working with me to develop a look and feel that really reflect the branding.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I would highly recommend you to anyone looking for a web designer! 5 star.
If you would like to work together on a new website for your interior design (or any!) business, please get in touch.
