A more scalable solution
Through the success of his books, blog, and podcast, neuroscientist and best-selling author Sam Harris has become one of new media’s most influential voices. As his following grew, his old website no longer met the needs of his audience, nor the diversity of content he produces.
When we embarked on this project with Sam, our mandate was clear: create a digital platform that caters to a wide variety of content, make it easily accessible to readers and listeners, and do so in a way that’s easily scalable as Sam’s audience continues to grow.
Research and design
A deep dive into Sam’s offering, including research into the specific needs and pain points of his audience, informed every decision around the navigation and structure of the new site.
We organized content to be directed at the most dedicated users, and created interactions to help newer users explore the depths of Sam’s work. Strong typography was chosen to embolden his message. Animations and page transitions were kept to a minimum to keep his content at the forefront.
Enhanced user experience
When we take on any project, whether it’s an online store, digital product, or new media publishing platform, improving the user experience is always at the top of our minds.
We worked with Sam’s team to unpack how a subscription model would work for his community. The result is a redesigned premium user area with an AMA form where dedicated users can submit questions, access premium content, and help steer the conversation.
New media support
Sam’s offering is ever-evolving. His podcast and frequent speaking engagements create a constant stream of conversation, while his app reaches more and more people every day. We knew one of our biggest challenges would be capturing and directing his users’ attention.
We implemented a custom podcast player that allows users to browse the site while listening uninterrupted to Sam’s podcast. For his subscribers, we built a dashboard where they can engage in conversation and access their premium content in one place. And to support his speaking engagements, we implemented a live-streaming experience where paying users can attend these ticketed events.
