A Modern Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center, nestled in the heart of Minneapolis, stands as a beacon of contemporary art and culture. More than just a venue, the Walker is a vibrant nexus where art, innovation, and community intersect. With a legacy spanning decades, the Walker has carved a niche for itself with its groundbreaking exhibitions, avant-garde performances, film events, and a diverse global art collection. It's not just a space; it's an inspiration that fosters creativity and cultivates meaningful connections with art.

In 2016, the Walker’s digital identity was at a crossroads. While its website had been groundbreaking at its inception, over time, it began to show signs of aging. It struggled to keep pace with evolving digital trends, technologies, and accessibility standards. Tasked with this challenge, I led the design initiative in close collaboration with the internal Design Studio at the Walker to rejuvenate the Walker's digital footprint and leverage the latest technologies to create an engaging user experience.

The Challenge

The previous iteration of the Walker website was an award-winning editorial platform that played a pivotal role in building a global readership through its Walker Reader content. However, as the digital landscape evolved, the website's capabilities began to lag, affecting both the local community and the physical institution.

Our mission was clear: replatform the website onto a modern framework that would offer a fully responsive design system. This new system needed to cater to the global readership the Walker Reader had cultivated while enhancing the experience for visitors interested in the Walker's exhibitions and events.

Our Approach

The previous iteration of the Walker website was an award-winning editorial platform that played a pivotal role in building a global readership through its Walker Reader content. However, as the digital landscape evolved, the website's capabilities began to lag, affecting both the local community and the physical institution.

Our mission was clear: replatform the website onto a modern framework that would offer a fully responsive design system. This new system needed to cater to the global readership the Walker Reader had cultivated while enhancing the experience for visitors interested in the Walker's exhibitions and events.

Process

Our design process was driven by data and user insights. We began by analyzing visitor data metrics, encompassing both digital interactions and physical visits. This analysis revealed a correlation between user behaviors and their proximity to the Walker.

With these insights in hand, we embarked on designing a hyper-localized digital experience tailored for Walker visitors. The new design featured expanded wayfinding tools, accessibility assistance, and easy access to daily schedules, turning the website into a valuable second screen for visitors. Additionally, we introduced storytelling modules that allowed us to delve deeper into the works displayed in the gallery, complementing them with digital media to enrich the viewing experience.

Outcome

The redesign of the Walker Art Center's website yielded transformative results that were felt both by the visiting audience and the internal team.

• Hyper-Localized Experience: The new website effectively served as a second screen for visitors, providing them with enhanced wayfinding tools, accessibility features, and a seamless way to navigate the Walker's offerings. This localized approach bridged the gap between the digital and physical experience, enhancing visitor satisfaction and engagement.
• Enriched Storytelling: Our storytelling modules proved to be a hit, offering visitors a deeper insight into the artworks on display. By incorporating digital media and additional context, we were able to create a richer, more immersive experience that resonated with visitors and amplified the impact of the Walker's exhibitions.
• Retaining Global Reach: Despite the focus on localized experiences, we ensured that the Walker Reader content remained accessible and prominent. The content platform was revamped to provide an enriched, contextualized experience for readers outside the local community, maintaining the Walker's global reach and appeal.
• Empowering Content Creators: The revamped website also proved to be a game-changer for the internal content creators at the Walker. With expanded toolsets and capabilities, they were empowered to engage more effectively with the community, telling compelling stories around the artworks in the collection and fostering a deeper connection with the audience.

In conclusion, the redesigned Walker Art Center website successfully bridged the gap between the digital and physical realms, offering a seamless, engaging experience for visitors while empowering the Walker to tell its story more effectively. The positive feedback from both visitors and the internal team underscores the success of this transformative project and its lasting impact on the Walker's digital strategy.