AQDA

AQDA sits at a demanding intersection: an archive needs structure and speed, but the content asks for care. The site had to support deep discovery across long-form, time-coded transcripts, while remaining accessible for disabled users and for people reading in a second language.

A major complexity was how to handle transcript translation and present multilingual content in a way that stays readable and navigable, especially on mobile. The experience needed to reduce cognitive load, help people find what they are looking for, and avoid overwhelming users as they moved through the archive.

We redesigned AQDA’s UX around the practical realities of research-led archival browsing: clear pathways, strong information hierarchy, and metadata-led discovery.

We built the experience around a solo, filterable navigation system that works across screen sizes, with a deliberately more linear journey on mobile inspired by digital archival design patterns.

Because the archive is used by a wide range of audiences, accessibility was not an add-on—it shaped the visual and interaction decisions. We worked carefully with colour to avoid overwhelming or triggering combinations, and prioritised high-contrast, readable pairings that support clarity for people with visual impairments or fatigue, as well as for those reading in a second language.

We also improved how transcripts can be explored, incorporating subtitles, timestamps, and accessible text patterns so time-coded oral histories are easier to follow and return to.

Alongside the website work, we refreshed the brand identity with reference to historical and archival materials. We introduced a playful shape language as a visual metaphor for a displaced community finding its place—creating a system that feels human and hopeful, while staying respectful of the content.

Finally, we produced a social media and branding guide so AQDA can communicate consistently as the PhD research and archive continue to grow.

AQDA’s updated website supports a more usable, accessible archival experience—helping people browse and search without unnecessary friction, and making time-coded transcripts easier to navigate across devices.

For a PhD-led project, that usability matters: it strengthens how the research can be explored, referenced, and shared, while keeping the archive welcoming to community audiences beyond academia.

By grounding the design in accessibility and care, the platform better supports a wider range of readers and research contexts—making it easier to discover stories, understand them in context, and engage at a pace that feels safe.