The Challenge

The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (MNAA) is one of Portugal's most significant cultural institutions, yet its digital presence faced critical usability barriers. My goal was to transform a dated, non-responsive website into a modern, accessible, and user-centric platform that serves tourists, educators, and students alike.

The Problem (The "Why")

Through a detailed Heuristic Evaluation, I identified several pain points:

• Lack of Responsiveness: The site did not adapt to mobile devices, causing high frustration for tourists planning visits on the go.

  
  

• Accessibility Issues: With an accessibility score of only 53%, the site suffered from low contrast, missing alt texts, and poor navigation landmarks .

  
  

• Complex Ticket Flow: There was no direct online ticket purchase option, leading to lost revenue and a poor user journey .

  
  

• Disorganized Content: Educational and research resources were buried under heavy text and confusing hierarchies.

  
  

User Insights

I developed three distinct Personas to guide the redesign:

• Elsa (The Tourist): Needs a seamless mobile checkout to buy tickets and find quick practical info (hours/location).

  
  

• Ana (The Teacher): Seeks clear group booking procedures and educational resources for school trips.

  
  

• Miguel (The Student): Looks for an intuitive way to explore the collection and research academic content.

  
  

The Solution

• Mobile-First Approach: A complete layout overhaul ensuring all primary actions (tickets, hours, navigation) are easily accessible via a "hamburger" menu and optimized tap targets .

  
  

• Streamlined Ticket Checkout: Introduced a linear 4-step purchase flow (Select → Date → Payment → Confirmation) with digital QR-code tickets.

  
  

• Visual Hierarchy & Accessibility: Implemented a new design system with WCAG-compliant contrast, clear typography (Playfair Display & Lato), and a structured "Education" hub.

  
  

Visual Identity

• Typography: Combining the elegance of Playfair Display for headings with the readability of Lato for body text.

  
  

• Color Palette: A sophisticated mix of deep reds (#C02626) and neutral tones to reflect the museum's artistic heritage while maintaining modern digital standards.