SE Designs

  • Web Design
Client

SE Designs

Location

Manchester, UK

Services

Web Design

Web Development

WordPress

Sitemap

Motion Design

Onsite SEO

Design System

Branding

Information Architecture

User Testing

100% Positive User Feedback for a Luxury, Global Interior Design

SE Designs is a global interior design company. The brand approached KIJO to enhance its digital presence. Although the company had previously built its own websites and graphics, the founder decided it was time to “level up” and create a more sophisticated online experience.

The existing website was underperforming in key areas like mobile responsiveness, luxury design aesthetics, and user navigation. A cluttered sitemap complicated navigation, preventing potential clients from easily accessing essential sections. This complexity led to a difficult user journey. Excessive copy also overwhelmed the design, distracting users from SE Designs’ impressive, highly-visual portfolio.

As a result, the website struggled to attract the high-end clientele SE Designs was targeting. It wasn’t resonating with their desired market, and conversion rates suffered. In response, we set out to create a sophisticated site that was simple, clean and engaging.

98%

of Users Agreed That the New Website Reflects a High-End, Contemporary Brand

95%

of Users Successfully Navigated to a Project, and Then Made an Enquiry

An SE Designs project - a sleek, and cool, modern living space as displayed on the KIJO website as part of the interior design's website design case study. There is dark wood flooring, light marble grey counter tops, plush, grey bar stools, and a white, pristine kitchen space with an open plan living room's cream sofa to the right of the frame.
An SE Designs project - a sleek, and cool, modern living space as displayed on the KIJO website as part of the interior design's website design case study. There is dark wood flooring, light marble grey counter tops of a kitchen breakfast bar, plush, grey bar stools, and a white, pristine kitchen space to the left of frame.
The SE designs homepage and concise main menu displayed on two smart phone screens, side by side, against a creamy grey back ground
The SE designs homepage and concise main menu displayed on two smart phone screens, side by side, against a creamy grey back ground

Sophistication = Simplification

We wanted to put a focus on projects in order to communicate the client’s experience, talent and expertise from the off. The KIJO team first simplified the SE Design sitemap and reduced the amount of copy to improve navigation and guide users through a more focused journey. We streamlined the homepage emphasising the company’s service offerings and pulled the focus toward previous project visuals. Next, we introduced a more detailed About page, providing greater insight into the company’s history, values, mission and team. This new, simplified sitemap made navigation more straightforward for the user.

We minimised word count across the entire site, focusing on concise yet informative copy. We did this in order to focus on optimal SEO and deliver key messages to users more effectively. This approach, in turn, helped create a cleaner, more modern visual that appealed to a luxury audience. It also supported a more efficient user experience which is more likely to convert.

The SE designs website project pages, designed by KIJO, displayed on two laptops, side by side, across two levels of white plinths.
The SE designs website project pages, designed by KIJO, displayed on two laptops, side by side, across two levels of white plinths.
An SE Designs' interior design project of a living area: floor to ceiling windows covered by a white, light silky curtain, with dark wood floors, a cream and blue, geometric rug, cream L-shaped sofa, and dark grey, futuristic recliner chair. At the end of the sofa is a large, dramatic pink flower plant.
An SE Designs' interior design project of a living area: floor to ceiling windows covered by a white, light silky curtain, with dark wood floors, a cream and blue, geometric rug, cream L-shaped sofa, and dark grey, futuristic recliner chair. At the end of the sofa is a large, dramatic pink flower plant.
An example of an SE designs colour and aesthetic mood board, supplied as part of their project plans. This is one is lots of browns, creams and greens, with wood-like, hessian textures.
An example of an SE designs colour and aesthetic mood board, supplied as part of their project plans. This is one is lots of browns, creams and greens, with wood-like, hessian textures.

A Stylish Design That Speaks to High-End Clientele

When it came to the design, we introduced a neutral colour palette and cleaner typography to give the design a more high-end, prestigious feel. We selected a more suitable typeface for the logo that aligned with these design choices, ensuring it remained legible whilst preserving the original logo’s principles. Doing this maintains brand consistency across the website which is important for solidifying trust and credibility for the user.

We created a design system and, as part of this, a library of 17 contemporary WordPress blocks. that reflected a modern, professional aesthetic. These blocks helped us craft a smoother, cleaner design, giving the website a cohesive, modern flow. It also allows for consistency in design, even when expanding the website in the future.

Since the previous website lacked mobile optimisation, we designed the new website responsively, ensuring that each section performed seamlessly across all device sizes. This is, of course, a standard practice in the industry.

The typography and colour palette put together by KIJO for the SE Designs' interior design website design, put next to the main homepage image: a dining area with a glass round table, on dark wood flooring, and reddish-purple, velvet bucket chairs in front of a creamy grey wall and built-in, modern, central fireplace. The pallette and typography are very complementary to this design.
The typography and colour palette put together by KIJO for the SE Designs' interior design website design, put above the main homepage image: a dining area with a glass round table, on dark wood flooring, and reddish-purple, velvet bucket chairs in front of a creamy grey wall and built-in, modern, central fireplace. The pallette and typography are very complementary to this design.
The typography and colour palette put together by KIJO for the SE Designs' interior design website design, put above the main homepage image: a dining area with a glass round table, on dark wood flooring, and reddish-purple, velvet bucket chairs in front of a creamy grey wall and built-in, modern, central fireplace. The pallette and typography are very complementary to this design.
An interior design of an office building put together by out client SE Designs. There is a curved, cream sofa, with yellow-cream and black accent pillows against a floor to ceiling interior window and black ceiling with a white, icon-like splash design.
An interior design of an office building put together by out client SE Designs. There is a curved, cream sofa, with yellow-cream and black accent pillows against a floor to ceiling interior window and black ceiling with a white, icon-like splash design.
An SE Designs 'Berlin Media' project page, and the SE Designs homepage, side by side, displayed on smartphone's against a brownish-grey background
An SE Designs 'Berlin Media' project page, and the SE Designs homepage, side by side, displayed on smartphone's against a brownish-grey background

Enhancing Engagement

To boost engagement, we added interactive elements, such as dynamic side-scrolling sections on the homepage’s Project section. As users scroll downward, the page scrolls sideways. This draws attention to this content that might otherwise be skimmed past. We also implemented a dynamic text and background colour change based on scroll position, giving each project its own distinctive background colour that complemented its aesthetics. These features capture user attention and enhance immersion.

To encourage action by the user, we added more prominent calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout the website. These include a visible navigation button, secondary buttons in most sections, and large CTAs at the base of every page. These all drive users to book an introductory call.

A montage of different aspects of KIJO interior design website design for SE Designs including an expansive image CTA, a projects page, the sleek logo, and typography in situ.
A montage of different aspects of KIJO interior design website design for SE Designs including an expansive image CTA, a projects page, the sleek logo, and typography in situ.
A montage of different aspects of KIJO interior design website design for SE Designs including an expansive image CTA, a projects page, the sleek logo, and typography in situ.

The Results

Our work on the SE Designs website directly addresses the key challenges of its previous version. It is now delivering a cleaner, more sophisticated user experience. Modern visuals, interactive elements, and streamlined navigation work together to create a seamless journey; one that encourages engagement and conversions. It achieves this all whilst aligning with the company’s brand and target audience.

The simplified sitemap and reduced copy make navigation far more intuitive. When we asked a non-bias user test group of 20 participants to navigate to a specific project, and then to make an enquiry, 95% successfully achieved this. Ensuring navigation works like this is important for driving enquiries and business goals. If users are easily able to review past projects and get in touch, then they are more likely to do so.

We asked a group of unbiased users “Do you feel this website represents a high-end, contemporary interior design brand?” 98% agreed that it did. This means KIJO has successfully transformed SE Designs’ digital offering into one that’s user-friendly and one that reflects its high-end services. This early feedback and KPIs suggest the new design is also more engaging and will be more effective at generating enquiries. Our design lays a strong foundation for the company’s future success.

"95% success rate on navigation user test" - this is a graph to show KIJO's user rating success in SE Designs' interior design website design
"95% success rate on navigation user test" - this is a graph to show KIJO's user rating success in SE Designs' interior design website design
"95% success rate on navigation user test" - this is a graph to show KIJO's user rating success in SE Designs' interior design website design
Crown Pavilions

Crown Pavilions

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