Computershare created an interdisciplinary team of experienced specialists consisting of IT Engineers, Information Architects, Project Managers and UX Designers. This is Digital Foundry.
Digital Foundry comprises of approximately 40 people. Its purpose is to develop, design, refine and create new digital solutions that will benefit and add greater value to Computershare’s services.

- About
Digital Foundry is a cross-functional team of around 40 talented individuals, such as IT engineers, information architects, UX designers, and Deliver Leaders; all working towards the parallel goal of pioneering products to streamline and improve the services of Computershare.
- Problem
Many individuals in the Computershare community are unfamiliar with Digital Foundry’s services, therefore it was essential for them to clearly outline their purpose and tasks on their website for greater visibility.
- Goal
Build a user-oriented high-fidelity prototype to address the principal queries: “what is DF?”; “what does DF do?”; “who are they?”; and “which projects have they developed?”, through a professional and innovative design.
The challenge
For a while, the Digital Foundry’s Innovation Group had been exploring the possibilities of creating a website to showcase their achievements, as well as to provide proactive solutions to Computershare participants’ inquiries. I had the task to optimise the user experience, update the visual appeal and emphasise the worth and utility of DF systems for Computershare.
This project posed a challenge in procuring pertinent data to enable successful publication of the projects. A number of them had already been brought to completion, but the majority were still underway.
The objective at the same time was to design modules and sections that would enable the production of more content without coding. The website administrator has the ability to upload content comparable to that of a Content Management System.
My goal was to complete this project in about 4 weeks.
The screenshot (right hand side) captures the work I completed in Miro. I conducted an initial analysis of users, the sitemap, and the page layouts to get this project started.
The image below outlines the style guidelines for DF website, which aligns with Computershare’s brand manual to achieve professional and consistent representation of the brand.









Execution
After completing a successful high fidelity prototype, with the assistance of a developer and delivery leader, we got things moving. The subsequent stage involved photography, illustrations, video shoots and copywriting for the website content. Whilst we encountered a few difficulties and hiccups, we eventually completed a MVP.
I worked alongside the developer to agree on the number of components or modules and its features. This resulted in some changes and adjustments that would make the final product viable while adhering to the deadline of this project
We also encountered considerable challenges with the photography aspect of the project due to the pandemic’s restrictions and lack of access to physical locations, which left us with too few photos to choose from. In addition, some team members refused to appear in the images. However, we were eventually able to overcome those barriers by convincing and getting the support from other leaders in the team.
Copywriting was one of the last challenges we faced, but clear communication on responsibilities and timelines made it possible.
The screenshot on the left displays a segment of the project created in Figma.






Final product
Leaders and other members of the DF welcomed the final product and provided great commentary regarding its content, its design and the achieved goals.
One last challenge we faced had to do with the “Projects” section of the website. The DF team wanted to ensure that users could distinguish between ‘archived’/‘completed’ and ‘in progress’ projects. After some consultation, the final prototype and product displays the preferred option which was also welcomed across all teams.
The final prototype is responsive, ensuring compatibility with mobile and tablet devices right from the start.
- Insight One
Prioritising time for thoughtful planning is of utmost importance. Utilising the right strategies in the preparation stages can ensure adequate planning and minimise potential risks, including the use of accurate images and visuals.
- Insight Two
For the successful growth of any digital product, adhering to the overall brand identity must be prioritized. Whenever making design choices for a new project, going back to the core brand messaging is a must to ensure all decisions align with the brand.
- Insight Three
It is crucial to appreciate the significance of a process such as Design Thinking. This design procedure assists in designing with the user in mind throughout the entire system (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Evaluate).