UI Designer, UX Designer, Graphic Symbol Designer, Photographer
Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Webflow
Sep 2022—Nov 2022
Kaja is a licensed specialist in supervised psychodynamic psychotherapy, who graduated from Sigmund Freud University in Vienna, where she developed a strong foundation in psychotherapy. She is passionate about personal growth, healing, and discovering one's authentic self. Supporting others on their journey to a joyful and meaningful life, despite life’s challenges, brings her great fulfillment.
Kaja approached me to design a website that represents her practice and create a unique graphic symbol to enhance her brand identity. The main goal was to design a user-friendly website that conveys a wealth of information about psychotherapy. She envisioned a site featuring bold and vibrant colors reflecting her dynamic personality while maintaining a professional aesthetic suitable for therapy.
One of the challenges was organizing the extensive information clearly to avoid overwhelming users. The client provided me with an 18-page Word document packed with psychotherapy content that she wanted to feature on the website. Another challenge was balancing vibrant colors with the sensitive nature of psychotherapy content. Kaja’s preference for bold, lively colors reflected her personality, but such a palette can be overwhelming for a psychotherapy website.
To streamline the user experience, I carefully reviewed the text and suggested removing redundant or irrelevant sections, ensuring that the most important information was highlighted without cluttering the design. I also worked with Kaja to select two primary colors that were still bold and vibrant, but not overwhelming. I toned down the overall palette to create a more calming atmosphere, while using the vivid colors strategically on call-to-action elements to maintain her personality.
During my research of similar websites, I found that they are all fairly similar in terms of content. They include general information about psychotherapy, often presented in a dull and lengthy manner, which can overwhelm the reader. Most of the websites also provide information about the therapist, along with their picture and various quotes related to psychotherapy or psychology.
I took photos of the client for the website, as she wanted them to be taken in nature, where she feels most relaxed. We chose a nearby forest, but unfortunately, it was autumn, and the scenery wasn’t as vibrant as we'd hoped. Despite nature not fully cooperating, we still captured the calming, natural atmosphere she wanted to convey.
I began the process by focusing on the design of the graphic symbol, which was central to the brand's identity. The client specifically requested a symbol that incorporated the sun and the moon, representing balance in Native American culture. Additionally, the client wanted the symbol to feature vibrant, bold colors to evoke energy and positivity. I explored various color combinations and shapes, ensuring the final design reflected her vision while maintaining an impactful visual presence. Throughout this process, I kept an open line of communication with the client for feedback and refinement.
For the website's structure, I organized the homepage to include concise summaries of each main section, complemented by clear CTA buttons that direct users to more detailed pages. This approach not only prevents users from feeling overwhelmed by excessive information but also empowers them to choose which topics they wish to explore further. To enhance the visual appeal, we selected four photographs of flowers that the client loves, along with four additional images that fit seamlessly on each page.
The final outcome of the project was a user-friendly website that effectively communicates a wealth of information about psychotherapy. Ultimately, the website fosters a welcoming atmosphere, inviting potential clients to seek the support they need.