Second life homepage redesign
Revamping a complex virtual world’s homepage to better engage potential users and highlight its immersive experience.
Client
Linden Labs
Year
2021
PROJECT OVERVIEW
I had the opportunity to work on the homepage redesign for Second Life, a 3D virtual world developed by Linden Lab. The goal was to refresh the landing page to better represent the depth and creativity of the game, enhancing its appeal to users who were considering joining this dynamic and customizable virtual world. The original homepage was outdated, lacked focus, and didn’t effectively communicate the excitement or intricate features of the game. I worked closely with the senior designer at Linden Labs to create a modern, interactive, and engaging design that would reflect the unique aspects of the product.
the design process
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To ensure the redesign met modern web design standards and could effectively engage potential users, I began by performing a competitive analysis of other similar virtual worlds and gaming platforms. I identified key areas where Second Life’s homepage could improve—especially in showcasing its unique features and easing the user’s journey to explore and join the platform.
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The original homepage was cluttered with too much extraneous information that could overwhelm potential users. I streamlined the design by focusing on the four core objectives and benefits of the platform. The aim was to clearly communicate what Second Life offers, including its depth of customization and creativity, with as little distraction as possible.
A key addition was an interactive experience that incorporated visual elements from the existing commercial, providing users with a fun and engaging way to understand the game’s possibilities without overwhelming them with text.
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The website’s navigation was also restructured to prioritize user convenience. I simplified the structure, ensuring users could easily find essential actions like downloading the game, accessing the marketplace, or creating an account. This was crucial for improving the overall user experience and helping potential players quickly access what they needed.
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In line with the updated homepage design, I also led the redesign of the account creation page. The goal was to make this step feel like an extension of the Second Life universe, immersing users in the game world from the very beginning. The page design was made to feel cohesive with the overall branding, encouraging users to envision themselves inside the virtual world before they even completed registration.
THE RESULT/impact
The redesigned homepage successfully created a cleaner, more engaging user experience that accurately reflected the depth and creativity of Second Life. The streamlined layout and focused messaging improved user engagement, while the enhanced navigation and immersive account creation process resulted in a smoother and more enjoyable user journey.
