We are delighted to announce the recent launch of the new Industrial Dwellings Society (IDS) website.
Founded in 1885 by a group of Jewish philanthropists who aimed to alleviate the overcrowded housing conditions in London’s East End, IDS has grown significantly over the years. Today, it manages around 1,500 properties in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Camden, Haringey, Redbridge, Barnet, and Hertsmere.
We collaborated with the IDS team and residents to bring this new website to life. The project began with a kickoff meeting to outline key milestones, encompassing research, information analysis, sitemap creation, design, development, and, ultimately, the website launch.
Data-driven approach
The research phase was an essential foundation for this project, ensuring the final website meets user needs and aligns with IDS’s goals. We combined primary research (resident interviews and online surveys) with secondary research (competitor analysis and Google Analytics data) to develop a broad view of user preferences and expectations.
This analysis allowed us to identify key areas for improvement. For example, we implemented a reorganised sitemap structure with a mega menu that enables residents to locate information quickly, improving overall content engagement.
Community and accessibility
Introducing more resident photos further emphasised IDS’s community spirit. Supportive iconography provided visual cues for signposting across the site. This visual aspect reinforces IDS’s mission of serving its residents and aligns with the design of the recent annual reviews.
Focusing on accessibility, we ensured that all design elements adhered to WCAG AA standards. We retained IDS’s established core brand colours and tints but carefully adjusted the colour contrast to ensure readability and usability across all devices.
Seamless launch and future improvements
After completing the website build, we conducted rigorous quality assurance testing and migrated the remaining content to the new platform. The result is a modern, user-friendly digital presence that aligns with IDS’s legacy while addressing the evolving needs of its residents.
Our collaboration with IDS continues, and we are working with them on further website enhancements. We look forward to supporting IDS as it grows its digital presence.