Mac and phone mockup of Soul Waves website homepage and shopping list.
Project type
Web and mobile development
Duration
1 month
Role
Web designer, front-end developer
Tools
HTML, CSS, JavaScript
GitHub, VScode

Project Overview

The Soul Waves website is a project I worked on in a web design and development course. Collaborating with another junior designer, Ariel Tsang, we designed a fully functional and responsive product site that prioritizes accessibility and aims to enhance the purchasing experience of vinyl records.

Soul Waves homepage mockup Soul Waves product page mockup

Functionalities

Categories Filter

The categories filter enables users to browse records more efficiently by narrowing down their search based on specific genres or styles.

Responsive UI

The responsive UI adjusts the layouts and elements to provide optimal usability whether on a phone, tablet, or desktop.

Hamburger menu

The hamburger menu offers a clean and intuitive navigation option for mobile users.

Challenges

One of the challenges I encountered was that the original filtering function I built using JavaScript was not accessible to individuals with disabilities who rely on screen readers to navigate the website. I realized that this limitation may affect the site's overall accessibility and usability, which ultimately impact users' purchasing experience in the company's products.

Solution

Code of implementing ARIA-labels in filter.js
How users navigate category filter using a screen reader.

Recognizing the importance of providing equal access and opportunities to all users, I researched and found that implementing Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) labels in my JavaScript code would address this issue. ARIA-labels gives screen readers additional context about elements, which allows visually impaired users to understand their purpose and functionality. Additionally, we improved the website's responsiveness by incorporating media queries, making it more inclusive for users with different devices to navigate through the site.

Final Product & Key Takeaway

The updated filtering function has strengthened the website's accessibility and user experience, as it allows a wider range of users to navigate the site effectively. This experience has taught us the importance of understanding our audience's needs in order to foster an inclusive digital environment for all users.

View website
Soul Waves product page mockup