First TransPennine Express

Posted 10 Jun 2009
Using Interaction Design, Site Maps, Usability, Wireframes

Background

First TransPennine Express (FTPE) is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates regular services in the north, including services linking the west and east coasts of England across the Pennines.

Brief

Code Computerlove were originally appointed in April 2007 to review FTPE’s digital strategy and develop an online marketing campaign. Following the successful original redesign and digital marketing activity, Code were asked to develop a new site in 2008 with a number of key objectives including a more engaging design and more prominence given to key customer and sales information.

Implementation

One of my first tasks after starting at Code Computerlove in May 2008 was to define the site structure and page layouts for this new site.

I conducted a full content review of their existing site, cross referencing my findings with the analytics reports to help determine useful or important content.

From there I constructed a site map for the new site and then developed a set of wireframes in conjunction with a member of Code’s creative team.

Together we established an informal, hand-drawn visual style for the site in deliberate contrast to most other travel and rail company websites, which were typically quite formal and corporate. By doing this we gave the site a personality which helped establish it’s reputation and created an emotional bond with it’s audience.

With this visual style in mind a crated a set of interactive wireframes that allowed the graphic designer to quickly and easily design a complete set of page templates for every type of page within the site.