The Australian national Maritime Museum’s (The Museum) new website was an opportunity to create a unique and compelling online experience for Museum audiences, wherever they may be, while driving a strong and consistent connection to the physical place, and spaces, of the museum itself.

The museum’s primary goals for its new website were twofold: to streamline transactional pathways, referred to as the ‘fast food’, and to create a more engaging, immersive experience for exploring its diverse themes through storytelling and rich media — the ‘slow food’. Our task was to simplify navigation and improve the organisation of information, making it easier for visitors to find what they need and take action.

To achieve this, we designed a new search engine for more relevant content discovery and ensured the website aligned with the museum’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. This involved meeting web standards and addressing the needs of various communities, including First Nations peoples, educators, and those unable to easily access the physical museum.