Halo ProjectWebsite & Branding
User-first UX for a national health project
The Halo Project focuses on reducing sexual health issues by tackling the core barriers young people face with condom use. The project needed a platform to deliver two core services: free sample packs for a perfect fit, and a discreet, continuous supply of preferred condoms. We were brought on as a partner to build an e-commerce and educational hub that prioritised user privacy and provided a highly personalised experience.
Launch project Kick-off and discovery
Evolving the tested system
Our initial session at Hertfordshire University was dedicated to understanding the existing system. As we didn’t start from scratch, we began by internalising the extensive academic research already completed, its pitfalls, its successes, and the evolution needed for the new platform. We understood their existing data, goals, and targets to create an aligned, straight-talking plan for the refined product.
User personas
Validating and refining our audience
The client already possessed strong knowledge of their user base. Our role was to validate, refine, and polish their thinking into clear, actionable User Personas. This crucial step ensured we had a definitive understanding of our audience’s needs, barriers, and aspirations, which became the foundation for all subsequent design decisions.
Research and card sort
Building the core information architecture
We worked collaboratively to recruit the Young Person Advisory Group (YPAG) from the University, our key target audience. This group was embedded in the process. The first task was a card sort. The YPAG organised content into logical pockets, identifying what was essential and what was noise. This collaboration between the client, the YPAG, and Red Bullet provided the evidence-based data required to build a structure that users wanted and found useful.
User journeys & sitemap
Research-led site map and user journeys
All prior research, the personas, the card sort, and the pockets of information, funnelled into this crucial phase. We mapped all key user journeys and streamlined the sitemap accordingly. The resulting architecture was not based on internal assumptions; it was entirely tailored to user wants, allowing us to place relevant, strategic content in the right location to drive education and purchasing efficiency.
Wireframes & prototyping
Designing efficiency and educational guidance
We swiftly moved into creating detailed wireframes for all screens. This allowed us to iterate quickly on content placement and refine the user flows. Two key focuses were established at this stage: creating an incredibly efficient purchasing journey and developing the structure for engaging user guides that would walk users through key sexual health information without being intimidating.
The pivot
The mid-project rebrand…Challenge accepted
We completed the initial visual mock-ups under the existing brand. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the project name, branding, and all associated assets needed to be completely scrapped. We immediately accepted the challenge. We turned this major curveball into a strategic opportunity to restart the design process from a position of absolute knowledge.
Testing and naming
User feedback driving the new brand
We adapted our planned prototype testing to include the rebrand element. We used in-depth testing (via Participate) to evaluate the new design flows and gather feedback on potential names. This allowed the YPAG to choose the name Halo. The testing provided us with crucial data on what was working well and where we could improve, giving us a clear path to redesign from the ground up using validated user insights.
Visual design
The refined Halo platform
Using the new Halo branding and fresh user testing feedback, we started the designs from a clean slate. This provided a cleaner, fresher feel and allowed us to implement all lessons learned. We focused on two standout UX wins:
- Simple purchasing: Enabling a user to order their first free sample pack in just three clicks (no payment details required after sign-up).
- Engaging guides: Creating interactive, animated guides that transform long-form text into fun, digestible steps using visual elements.
Dynamic Website
Personalisation for maintained protection
The platform is designed as a continuous journey. The site dynamically shifts the homepage content, depending on whether a user has ordered their sample pack, placed a regular order, or is due for a top-up reminder. Furthermore, we integrated a dynamic tracking bar for educational content. This custom, tailored experience ensures users receive the right information at the right time, strongly encouraging them to maintain their protection journey.
Content sourcing
Authentic visuals through influencer collaboration
To bypass the typical pitfalls of unrealistic stock imagery and expensive production, we chose an influencer marketing route for content. We commissioned five photo briefs and multiple video briefs, focusing on authentic, personal, humanistic, and relevant scenarios. This strategic approach yielded authentic images and videos for the site, which were far more relatable and impactful for the target user than generic assets.
Analytics hub
Research validation and national rollout readiness
As the project’s main goal is research validation, data is paramount. We designed a comprehensive Analytics Hub to track everything from overall users to individual journey success rates. This system, providing both granular spreadsheet data and clean CMS overviews, gives the client a strong, evidence-based argument to hopefully roll out the Halo Project nationally and reduce sexual health issues across the UK.
We are proud to be the long-term, strategic partner for the Halo Project, transforming complex health objectives into a cost-optimal, scalable digital solution that genuinely empowers young people.
