KFAI
KFAI, the Twin Cities’ alternative public radio station, had outgrown the capabilities of its existing website.
Part of KFAI’s mission statement reads, “By providing a voice for people ignored or misrepresented by mainstream media, KFAI increases understanding between peoples and communities, while fostering the values of democracy and social justice.” But KFAI’s own site didn’t foster democracy among the DJs. Set up using static pages accessed through a WYSIWYG text editor, only one person with specialized training could make changes to the site.
Not only that, but the many parts of the site looked totally different, without consistent navigation or representation of KFAI’s identity, as sometimes happens when a site is built in pieces over time.
With a laundry list of requests in hand, KFAI called upon Triangle Park Creative to add a whole lot of functionality to site, while also bringing its look up to date. In addition to designing a site that represents the vibrancy of KFAI’s community, we were asked to create a site that:
- Allowed any number of users to create content without specialized software
- Had the ability to automatically archive their shows
- Gave each show’s DJ a page, with events and playlists updatable by the DJs
- Allowed for more news online, with an archive of past stories
- Included an RSS feed and incorporated news feeds from outside sources
- Met accessibility guidelines
- Included an interactive events calendar
- Incorporated an integrated enewsletter with list management
Triangle Park created a color palette that works with KFAI’s logo and helps to differentiate the main parts of the site. Designer Meleck Davis took photos of Twin Cities cultural landmarks, which rotate with music photos in the site header to give the flavor of the community.
As a result, all of their requested features were built into the new site in a fresh new interface that reflects the station’s mission and community.