About 509 Lifestyle
509 Lifestyle is an online-only digital magazine, distributed across Spokane. The magazine shares stories local to Spokane and Western Washington highlighting new and local content across the area.
This is not any ordinary vanity magazine. Rather, its main focus is on both the small and big moments of living in Spokane, the art and entertainment, businesses, diverse dining scene, inspiring stories, and what is trending. Ultimately, 509 lifestyle is meant to be a reflection of the Spokane Lifestyle.
Materials presented on this page are under 509 Digital Lifestyle ownership. Materials presented are under copyright.
Design Journey
EXPLORING
REDESIGNING
IMPLEMENTING
RESEARCHING
REFINING
IDEATING
USER TESTING
DESIGNING
UPDATING
Website Vision
Originally, the 509 Lifestyle design layout was part of a user experience research project. The goal of that project was to study effective website layouts for displaying editorial content. The original mock of the website used Whitefish Living as the basis for the research providing a springboard for gathering content related to the local community and culture. It led to a homepage layout that sets the most popular content in easily accessible areas.
First Wireframe
Revised Wireframe
Finding the Right Story
In the 509 Lifestyle final design, editorial content is arranged on the homepage based on my research. The foundation behind it was anticipating user expectations of what they would want to read based on how prominent the content is. The most prominent content needed to be strategically placed in areas that would accommodate first-time visitors and returning visitors.
First, there are easily accessible areas where upon opening the webpage for the first, time users have access to quick links to the latest stories and trending content. This layout also serves returners as well as they will have fresh articles readily available.
Second is content prominence where I define three editorial topics that have the highest local interest. These topics are present throughout most of the website as content designed for a returning audience who are very likely local to the area. These topics are also designed to house subtopics so that separate topics can easily fit under the three defining topics In the final design, the three defining topics are art and entertainment, downtown Spokane, and dining based on a search analysis of keywords in the area.
Finally, there is the placement of niche content. Although this content is less popular, it is content designed for visitors who are very committed to 509 lifestyle where they trust the website as a source for useful, informative content. Example areas within the website are the Where to Stay Page and the Local Guide Page where visitors can find business information and new places to try.
