CASE STUDY: Interactive Website Redesign for Marx Memorial Library and the Worker’s School
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Project Overview
The Marx Memorial Library (MML) is a historic institution housing rich archival material related to socialism, trade union movements, and working-class struggles. Despite its invaluable content, MML’s outdated digital presence limited user engagement, accessibility, and emotional connection. This case study presents my UX design journey to redesign the MML website, focusing on enhancing inclusivity, interactivity, and modern usability.
Objective
To transform the MML website into an accessible, emotionally engaging, and user-friendly digital platform that better reflects the institution’s historical and cultural significance while addressing the needs of contemporary audiences, particularly first-time users and younger generations.
Key Challenges
Poor information architecture and navigation
Lack of emotional storytelling and interactivity
Limited accessibility and inclusion
Static presentation of content
Disconnect between historical value and digital experience
Tools Used
Figma (UI design, prototyping)
Adobe Illustrator (Icons & branding elements)
Miro (Journey maps and IA)
W3C WCAG (Accessibility standards)
Prototyping & User Testing
Created a high-fidelity prototype in Figma
Conducted informal testing with peers
Observed usability issues, confusion points
Incorporated iterative changes based on feedback
Final design prioritized clarity, emotion, and engagement
Final Outcome
A redesigned MML website that is:
Emotionally resonant and narrative-rich
Inclusive, accessible, and easy to navigate
Interactive, welcoming younger and first-time visitors
Aligned with modern UX standards while preserving historical dignity
Critical Reflection
This project was not only a UX challenge but also an educational journey into political and historical contexts. I had limited knowledge of Marxism, labor struggles, and archival politics at the start. Research helped me realize MML's potential to act as a counter-archive welcoming critical engagement and broader narratives beyond class struggle, such as intersectionality, feminism, and anti-colonial resistance.
The process taught me that UX is not just about design systems, but also empathy, education, and communication. I experimented with features like multilingual support, AI-driven assistance, and emotional design to transform archival content into living history for users of all backgrounds.
Design Process
1. Research & Contextual Analysis
On-site Visit: Conducted an observational study during my visit to MML.
Website Audit: Analyzed current issues including confusing menus, unstructured archives, and non-responsive design.
Historical Research: Learned about Marxism, labor history, and post-Marxist critiques to ensure sensitive and balanced presentation of content.
Benchmarking: Studied best practices from:
The People’s Graphic Design Archive
The British Library
The London Archives
2. Accessibility Audit
Reviewed WCAG 2.1 guidelines (W3C) to improve contrast, text size, keyboard navigation, and multilingual support.
Design Features by Page
Homepage
Introduced a Karl Marx AI chatbot to support learning
Added virtual tour & Firstcomers’ Guide
Designed multilingual, image-based search tools
Implemented interactive carousels, quote panels, and social media integrations
Visit Page
Designed an intuitive interface with interactive maps, FAQs, and family-friendly content
Emphasized physical accessibility and visit planning
About Page
Introduced a historical timeline, multimedia archives, and volunteer options
Included mission and annual reports to build trust and transparency
Collections Page
Created advanced filters (author, date, media type)
Added previews and user reviews for easier browsing
Events, Exhibitions, and Publications pages
Used scrollable sections and category tabs (past, present, upcoming)
Enhanced content visibility with improved hierarchy
Education Page
Simplified layout using responsive design
Embedded visual cues and minimized cognitive overload
Support & Shop Pages
Added interactive donor wall and clear CTAs for contributions
Designed an ethical online shop using archive-inspired merchandise
