Preliminaries
In September 2022, the team met online to discuss the goals for the cadence website redesign:
- Update the branding, layout, and stability of website
- Create localization for the blog posts
- Create a CMS for blogs and testimonials.
Early Iterations
We began by iterating on different design elements in Figma rather than sketching, since we were mostly a remote team.
We played with Layout of controls, presentation of message and content, and UI elements to uplift the branding.
As well, we needed to create a top nav that accommodated all of Cadence's verticals.
Decisions
We landed on classic Z, F, E, l and zigzag layouts for controls and content. Sometimes its important not to reinvent the wheel.
Regarding message, after significant back and forth, Kat and Aditi composed Cadence's message with profound elegance.
For UI assets, we had two categories; those that incorporated stock photography, and those that only featured UI elements. We would incorporate these into biomorphic shapes to inspire a sense of comfort and care to the user.
Finally, we created a "mega menu" look for the site using drop downs. We found these to adequately accommodate Cadence's many verticals.
Installation
We then began refining and installing our designs. We selectively broke the grid to create an interesting flow to our layout.
Our localization feature installed very easily, using the users IP address to do so.
We overlayed various UI elements to showcase our new branding as well
Finally, our content management was on full display in our testimonials section. A caring illustration is visible just behind the many positive remarks from pleased Cadence customers.
The impact of the new site on the company was significant. The dev team no longer needs to constantly monitor the site to make sure it is functioning, freeing up their valuable time to build Cadence products. As well, our project-based, cross department method of working was hailed, causing a change in how all projects across all departments were performed - our website redesign became the model for Cadence as a whole.
