Designer and Assistant Gallerist
At the Trops, my UX responsibilities included conducting user research, and creating wireframes and prototypes. I collaborated with the creative director and developers to refine user interfaces, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience. Additionally, I contributed to usability testing, and iterating on designs to optimize functionality.
I enhanced the website by creating new pages and features like artist profiles, exhibition pages, a press page and "culture" pages. Our aim was to bolster The Trops' reputation as a prominent art gallery and community through an expanded online presence. We relied on WordPress, which I gained extensive experience in.
I also handled site maintenance, fine-tuning for better web performance. This involved expanding our online store with Woocommerce, not just by adding new items but also by designing all Trops-branded merchandise. Alongside this, I created event flyers, mobile app ads, and updating visual elements like headers, logos, and the homepage newsfeed. As our organization grew swiftly, I made sure our digital front represented our internal strides to our users.
I played a significant role in Trops' marketing initiatives, spearheading the creation of our comprehensive brand book—a detailed presentation aimed at maintaining a consistent brand identity as the business grows. This brand book served as a guide, outlining the core principles of Trops and providing visual communication guidelines for the website, mobile app, and in-person events. Additionally, I managed various marketing tasks such as crafting newsletters through Mailchimp, devising strategic campaigns, contributing to the investor presentation within the business plan, and consistently posting content across our growing social media channels, including the instagram account @Tropspublishing with 14k+ followers.
I was responsible for overseeing the Trops blog, which we aimed to brand as a reputable art magazine. This sometimes involved curating contributions from various authors, where I managed design, media, and publication. Typically, I created original content, crafting opinion pieces on art and culture, covering events and new exhibitions, and holding in-depth interviews with notable artists. From brainstorming interview questions to conducting the interviews and refining the transcripts for publication, I handled the entire process.
In my role as a Gallery Assistant at The Trops, I played a pivotal part in the day-to-day operations. I welcomed and engaged with visitors, providing insights into the showcased artworks and ensuring an inviting experience for all guests. I assisted in setting up and dismantling exhibitions, handling artwork and working with venues. My responsibilities also involved managing inventory, handling client and artist relationships, and contributing to the planning and execution of events and exhibitions. I documented and photographed exhibitions for the Trops website and social media. My proactive approach aimed to enhance the overall experience and support the growth of this vibrant gallery space.