This project involved the full research and strategic development of a website for a visa agency based in the Philippines. The agency’s mission is to attract and support foreign investors and individuals seeking residency in the country. My goal was to create a digital experience that would resonate with an international audience, communicate trust and credibility, and clearly outline the pathways to investment and relocation that the agency offers

As the lead UX researcher and web designer, I conducted both desk and field research to deeply understand the needs, motivations, and concerns of the target users. This included:

Conducting in-depth interviews with potential clients, agency staff, and stakeholders in Manila

Presenting research findings and design concepts to investors and decision-makers

Collecting and curating on-site multimedia content (photos and videos) to give the site an authentic and engaging look and feel

Creating user flows and information architecture to ensure intuitive navigation and clarity

Designing the full website with a clean, modern interface optimized for both credibility and accessibility

I was very lucky to have the opportunity to get hands-on experience. Through my travels to the Philippines I gained first-hand insight into what it really is like to live in such an amazing country. This allowed me to better understand the appeal of investing, relocating and in turn designing a website. As a result, the website speaks volumes to people that are looking to start a new chapter of their lives in the Philippines.

Before going into the design phase of the project, I led extensive research to deeply understand the visa landscape and the different contexts of relocating to the Philippines. The goal was to build a website grounded in credibility, clarity and real-world insight. One that would answer questions and concerns about the details and intricacies within the Philippines from potential foreign investors or future residents.

I completely immersed myself into everything I could regarding the country, and the relocation experience, which included:

Analysing visa programs in the Philippines and comparing them to similar offerings in countries like Thailand, Portugal, Singapur and Malaysia

Investigating lifestyle factors such as cost of living, healthcare, food culture, safety, and infrastructure

Exploring cultural context, including religion, language, historical background, and regional diversity

Mapping user pain points, based on common obstacles or misinformation faced by people considering relocation

To bring the research to life and truly absorb what the country has to offer, I traveled to Manila and its surrounding areas. During this phase, I:

Conducted interviews with local stakeholders, potential clients, expats and agency staff

Captured firsthand experiences of daily life. From transportation and food to bureaucracy and housing

Engaged with locals to gain real perspectives on Filipino values, hospitality, and lifestyle

Having these experiences allowed me to gather all that I needed. I was then able to provide the users with as much information as possible, prioritising understanding and cultural sensitivity.

After completing the research phase, I brought my findings to life through a purposeful, user-centered design process. The aim was to build a website that not only looked professional and trustworthy, but also simplified complex information and guided users through a clear and intuitive journey.

I prepared a detailed presentation for investors and agency stakeholders that outlined the key research findings, along with the proposed content and structure for the website. It served as a bridge between the insights gathered and the design decisions moving forward

I developed a clear visual website flow in order to show the team, and be able to structure and map-out the website experience in a clear and concise way before starting the actual design process

With the content and structure defined, I moved into the visual design stage. I developed the full web interface and interactive prototype using Figma, keeping usability, credibility, and accessibility at the core of every decision. My design process included:

Creating wireframes and hi-fidelity mockups for all key pages

Selecting a clean, modern visual style that conveyed trust, sophistication, and cultural relevance

Building an interactive prototype to test user flows and showcase the full experience to stakeholders

This project was an incredibly rewarding learning experience that allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. Working across a multicultural team expanded my perspective and sharpened my communication skills. I learned to navigate diverse work styles and cultural differences which I have integrated within my ever-evolving work ethic.

Being involved in both the research and design phase really allowed me to create meaningful final deliverables based in user empathy. Putting myself in the shoes of the clients and paying attention to details I wouldn't have otherwise.