Finding Intranet Design Inspiration: Where to Look?
Introduction
Designing an intranet can be a challenging task, especially when you want to create a unique and engaging user experience for your employees. Whether you are building a sharepoint intranet from scratch or looking to revamp your existing intranet, finding design inspiration is crucial to ensure a successful project. In this article, we will explore various sources where you can find intranet design inspiration to create a visually appealing and user-friendly sharepoint intranet.
1. SharePoint Showcase
One of the best places to find intranet design inspiration is the SharePoint Showcase. Microsoft has curated a collection of beautiful and functional intranet designs built on SharePoint. These showcase examples can give you ideas on layout, color schemes, navigation, and overall design aesthetics. You can explore different industries and see how organizations have leveraged SharePoint to create their intranet portals. This is a great starting point to gather inspiration and understand the capabilities of SharePoint for intranet development.
2. Design Blogs and Websites
Another excellent source of inspiration for intranet design is design blogs and websites. There are numerous design-focused websites that showcase the latest trends, best practices, and case studies in web design. These platforms often feature articles and galleries specifically dedicated to intranet design. Some popular design blogs and websites include Smashing Magazine, Awwwards, and Dribbble. By browsing through these platforms, you can discover innovative design ideas, explore different visual styles, and learn from the experiences of other designers.
3. Competitor Analysis
Looking at what your competitors are doing can also provide valuable insights and inspiration for your intranet design. Analyze the intranet portals of companies in your industry or similar organizations to see how they have structured their intranet, what features they have implemented, and how they have designed their user interface. While you should never copy directly from your competitors, this analysis can help you identify areas for improvement and come up with unique ideas to differentiate your intranet from the competition.
4. User Feedback and Testing
When designing an intranet, it is essential to involve your end-users throughout the process. Conduct user feedback sessions and usability testing to gather insights on what your employees want and need from the intranet. This feedback can be a valuable source of inspiration as it provides direct input from the people who will be using the intranet on a daily basis. By understanding their pain points, preferences, and expectations, you can design a user-centric intranet that meets their needs and enhances their productivity.
5. Industry-specific Resources
Depending on your industry, there may be specific resources available that can provide intranet design inspiration tailored to your sector. For example, if you work in healthcare, there are healthcare-specific design resources and case studies that can give you ideas on how to design an intranet that meets the unique needs of healthcare professionals. Similarly, other industries like finance, manufacturing, or education may have industry-specific design resources that can guide you in creating a relevant and effective intranet design.
Conclusion
Designing an intranet that is visually appealing, user-friendly, and meets the needs of your employees is crucial for a successful sharepoint intranet development project. By exploring various sources of inspiration such as the SharePoint Showcase, design blogs and websites, competitor analysis, user feedback, and industry-specific resources, you can gather ideas and insights to create an intranet design that stands out and enhances employee collaboration and productivity.