British Library Case Study - Web, Mobile 
End-to-End Product Design and Product Management

The British Library, recognized as the national library of the United Kingdom, holds a prestigious position as one of the largest libraries in the world. Its expansive collection, estimated to range between 170 to 200 million items, encompasses works from nearly every country, reflecting a rich diversity of global knowledge and culture. The library's mission extends beyond the physical archive; its digital presence via the official website has been pivotal in democratizing access to its treasures. The British Library website serves as a hub for researchers, students, and enthusiasts, offering digital catalogs, e-resources, and tools that enable users to explore vast collections remotely. The website integrates advanced search functionalities, digitized manuscripts, and interactive educational content, ensuring an engaging and inclusive experience for a global audience. By continuously enhancing its online services, the British Library upholds its commitment to fostering education and preserving history in the digital age.

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Challenge(s):

The British Library faced a series of critical challenges that necessitated the redesign of its web and mobile platforms. Among the foremost issues was the need to achieve 100% compliance with WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standards, as mandated by UK government regulations. This demand for accessibility extended to ensuring readiness for the upcoming European Accessibility Act, which would set higher benchmarks for inclusivity by 2025. Addressing these requirements across a sprawling digital real estate of over 28,000 pages posed a significant challenge, especially given the variety of internal and external content integrated into the platform.

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Beyond accessibility, the library struggled with broader usability concerns that impacted its ability to serve a global, diverse audience. The outdated navigation system made it difficult for users to locate and interact with resources efficiently, and the complexity of its vast digital collection hindered seamless user journeys. The library also faced the challenge of streamlining functionality while balancing the varied needs of researchers, educators, and the general public. These challenges underscored the necessity of a comprehensive redesign to enhance accessibility, usability, and overall user experience.

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Solution(s):

To address the British Library’s significant challenges, we undertook a comprehensive redesign of its website, spanning over 28,000 pages and integrating content and functionality from various internal and external sources. Our team of UX/UI and visual designers delivered a state-of-the-art digital experience, tailored to meet the needs of one of the world’s most prestigious and vast libraries. The solution was guided by thorough user research, extensive stakeholder interviews, and robust data analysis, which informed the development of detailed profiles, user journeys, and use case scenarios.

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From low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes, the iterative design process underwent rigorous testing to ensure optimal usability and accessibility. Leveraging a headless architecture with React and Sitecore, we created a flexible and scalable framework capable of accommodating the library’s immense digital collection, which spans over 150 million items in nearly all known languages and formats. This approach not only met the mandated WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standards but also ensured the platform’s readiness for future compliance with the European Accessibility Act. The result was a seamless, user-centered design that successfully streamlined navigation and enhanced the user experience for a diverse global audience.

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Result(s):

The redesign of the British Library’s website was successfully delivered with a modernized UI, achieving a 100% WCAG 2.0 AA compliance rating as mandated by UK government regulations. Additionally, the project met all agreed-upon benchmarks for performance, best practices, search functionality, and SEO implementations. Despite the highly aggressive time frame set for compliance, the project was completed on schedule, showcasing exceptional efficiency and collaboration.

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The results went beyond compliance to deliver a user-centered platform that significantly improved accessibility and usability for a diverse global audience. The new website streamlined navigation, provided a seamless experience across devices, and leveraged a headless architecture with React and Sitecore for enhanced scalability and flexibility. Rigorous testing and data-driven insights ensured the site catered to the needs of its vast user base, enabling efficient access to the library's 170+ million digital and print items. The redesign not only fulfilled current standards but also positioned the British Library to remain compliant with upcoming regulations, such as the European Accessibility Act, ensuring its continued leadership in digital innovation and inclusivity.

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Product Design Activities & Deliverables:

• Conducted In-Depth End-User Research: Performed extensive user research through interviews, surveys, and data analysis to align design with client and audience needs.

• Developed User Personas and Profiles: Created detailed user personas and profiles based on research to guide design decisions and ensure alignment with diverse user requirements.

• Mapped User Journeys: Designed comprehensive user walkthroughs and journeys across the entire digital ecosystem to enhance usability and engagement.

• Structured Information Architecture: Optimized and restructured the information architecture for intuitive and seamless navigation of over 28,000 pages.

• Designed Wireframes and Prototypes: Progressed from low to mid-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity designs, followed by iterative prototype testing for validation.

• Implemented Modular Design Approach: Ensured scalability and adaptability through a modular design framework tailored to the platform's extensive digital real estate.

• Conducted Usability Testing: Facilitated multiple rounds of usability testing with diverse user groups to refine designs and ensure accessibility compliance.

• Developed Interaction Design Documentation: Documented key user interactions and interface behaviors to maintain intuitive and consistent user experiences.

• Established a Comprehensive Design System: Created and maintained a dynamic design system with reusable components for consistent updates and branding alignment.

• Delivered Accessibility Solutions: Ensured all designs and interactions met WCAG 2.0 AA compliance standards, addressing current and future regulatory requirements.

• Optimized for SEO and Performance: Integrated best practices for search engine optimization and performance metrics to enhance visibility and usability.

• Integrated Scalable Technology Solutions: Implemented a headless architecture using React and Sitecore to support scalability and future flexibility.

• Collaborated Cross-Functionally: Worked closely with stakeholders, developers, and product teams throughout the design thinking process to ensure seamless implementation.

• Provided Post-Launch Support: Delivered training materials and ongoing support to enable smooth transitions for content managers and maintain platform integrity.

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