ux/UI design | frontend development
SOLARIS
From outdated to outstanding with a modern web redesign
1
Before and after:
A challenge and a mission
A challenge and a mission
The challenge: Breathing new life into a digital presence
When Solaris Consultants approached me, their website was a digital relic. Imagine a financial consulting firm's online home that felt more like a dusty attic - cluttered with information, sporting a dated design, and struggling with basic functionality. The contact form played hide and seek with visitors, and the content? Well, let's just say it didn't quite capture the essence of Solaris' expertise. So here's a list of the main problems:
When Solaris Consultants approached me, their website was a digital relic. Imagine a financial consulting firm's online home that felt more like a dusty attic - cluttered with information, sporting a dated design, and struggling with basic functionality. The contact form played hide and seek with visitors, and the content? Well, let's just say it didn't quite capture the essence of Solaris' expertise. So here's a list of the main problems:
- Outdated website design with poor usability and a non-functional contact form.
- Overloaded information and a lack of clear messaging.
- Find a balance between conveying authority and creating a more approachable, human touch.
The mission: From outdated to outstanding
My task was clear: transform this digital quagmire into a beacon of professionalism and approachability. Over three months, we embarked on a comprehensive redesign journey, completely modernizing the aesthetic to appeal to affluent business owners; defining a concise message and creating a beautiful logo; organizing the information as a “journey”, providing the user with new, relevant insights on each page, deepening their understanding of the company in every section.
My task was clear: transform this digital quagmire into a beacon of professionalism and approachability. Over three months, we embarked on a comprehensive redesign journey, completely modernizing the aesthetic to appeal to affluent business owners; defining a concise message and creating a beautiful logo; organizing the information as a “journey”, providing the user with new, relevant insights on each page, deepening their understanding of the company in every section.
Clear, professional design praised by clients
The new website received positive feedback for its modern, clear, and professional design. Clients appreciated the calm, uncluttered presentation and how easy it was to find essential information.
23.8% Bounce rate reduction
The bounce rate decreased by 23.8%, and client inquiries increased due to the improved contact form that worked seamlessly across all devices.
Fully responsive across all devices
One of the most significant improvements is the fully responsive website, ensuring a consistent user experience across devices. The previous desktop-only format was a major usability flaw, now fixed.
2
Research and insights:
The key is on the message
The key is on the message
Analyzing the competitors
During research, I examined seven competitors, ranging from small consultancies to large firms like KPMG and EY. While professional authority was a common theme, I found a gap in conveying a more human, personalized approach. Many competitors overloaded their websites with information, resulting in a cluttered user experience. To stand out, Solaris’ redesign would focus on balancing authority with warmth, ensuring the user feels both confident in the team’s expertise and comfortable working with them.
During research, I examined seven competitors, ranging from small consultancies to large firms like KPMG and EY. While professional authority was a common theme, I found a gap in conveying a more human, personalized approach. Many competitors overloaded their websites with information, resulting in a cluttered user experience. To stand out, Solaris’ redesign would focus on balancing authority with warmth, ensuring the user feels both confident in the team’s expertise and comfortable working with them.
User testing insights
One key challenge was finding the right balance between brevity and detail. Initial feedback from user testing led to multiple wording revisions until we found a “sweet spot,” where users felt they had enough information without being overwhelmed.
Through iterative design and user testing, I crafted a website that tells Solaris' story with clarity and engagement. I created a user journey that feels like a conversation, guiding visitors from "Meet Solaris" through to compelling case studies, all while striking a balance between expertise and approachability.
One key challenge was finding the right balance between brevity and detail. Initial feedback from user testing led to multiple wording revisions until we found a “sweet spot,” where users felt they had enough information without being overwhelmed.
Through iterative design and user testing, I crafted a website that tells Solaris' story with clarity and engagement. I created a user journey that feels like a conversation, guiding visitors from "Meet Solaris" through to compelling case studies, all while striking a balance between expertise and approachability.
By immersing myself in the world of financial consulting websites, a pattern emerged: while authority was abundant, there was a noticeable lack of warmth. This insight became my North Star.
3
Design process
Architecture overhaul
The original information structure was confusing and inconsistent. I reorganized the architecture to flow more logically, starting with "Meet Solaris," where users are introduced to the company. This was followed by "What we do," explaining services, then "Our People," showcasing key partners and experts, and finally "Case Studies" to highlight recent projects. The user journey culminates with a simple, clean “Contact” section, providing a clear call to action.
The original information structure was confusing and inconsistent. I reorganized the architecture to flow more logically, starting with "Meet Solaris," where users are introduced to the company. This was followed by "What we do," explaining services, then "Our People," showcasing key partners and experts, and finally "Case Studies" to highlight recent projects. The user journey culminates with a simple, clean “Contact” section, providing a clear call to action.
The current site map meant as a journey
For reference, a glance at the original site map architecture, the bold text is the one that it's not repeated.
Overview of the design process: Low-fi and mid-fi wireframes
Constant iterative process
Several design iterations focused on aesthetic details to meet stakeholder preferences, as well as revisions to the wording for clarity and tone. These changes were driven by feedback both from the client and user testing.
Several design iterations focused on aesthetic details to meet stakeholder preferences, as well as revisions to the wording for clarity and tone. These changes were driven by feedback both from the client and user testing.
4
Final design solution
Clean layouts with large images provided a sense of space and clarity, drawing user attention to key information without overwhelming them. Clear, prominent CTAs made it easy for clients to engage with the company, and visitors could now understand Solaris’ services in under two minutes—a drastic improvement from the cluttered, outdated experience they had before.
Mobile prototype
Desktop prototype
Logo and color palette
The new design was fresh and modern, moving away from the generic, corporate feel. I selected colors that were neither too bold nor too dull, evoking professionalism with a modern twist. The logo was redesigned to reflect innovation and experience, positioning Solaris as a forward-thinking yet reliable firm.
The new design was fresh and modern, moving away from the generic, corporate feel. I selected colors that were neither too bold nor too dull, evoking professionalism with a modern twist. The logo was redesigned to reflect innovation and experience, positioning Solaris as a forward-thinking yet reliable firm.
After
Before
5
Results:
More than just a redesign
More than just a redesign
This project wasn't merely about making a website look pretty. It was about understanding Solaris' unique position in the market and translating that into a digital experience. In the end, I didn't just redesign a website. I helped Solaris redefine its digital presence, creating a platform that truly reflects its values, expertise, and commitment to its clients. And that, in the world of financial consulting, is what we call a solid investment.
Clear, professional design praised by clients
The new website received positive feedback for its modern, clear, and professional design. Clients appreciated the calm, uncluttered presentation and how easy it was to find essential information.
23.8% Bounce rate reduction
The bounce rate decreased by 23.8%, and client inquiries increased due to the improved contact form that worked seamlessly across all devices.
Fully responsive across all devices
One of the most significant improvements is the fully responsive website, ensuring a consistent user experience across devices. The previous desktop-only format was a major usability flaw, now fixed.
It was about finding that sweet spot between professionalism and personality, expertise and accessibility.
Adriana
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