Collaborating with our client to produce one of the world's best newspaper sites.
In 2006, APN wanted to overhaul nzherald.co.nz, which had outdated functionality and design. When they put the job up for competitive pitch, we were the only contender to come to the table without any design prepared. We told them, “We’re not going to pretend to know your business better than you do. You guys are the experts and we’re here to learn from you.” We won the pitch.
The new site had to present a vast stream of continual content in a manner that was both visually appealing and easy to navigate. Working closely with the client, we workshopped through solution and design possibilities to bring nzherald.co.nz into the 21st century.
Together we arrived at a graceful solution to meet the audience, business and site requirements. Firstly, we broadened the page to 1024 pixels, to fit more content above the fold. Secondly, we introduced a top navigation bar, making all sections accessible, without scrolling down through a long left-hand menu.
Thirdly, we presented the front-page content in a flexible grid system, allowing the reader to take in far more news and paths through the content than the front page of a physical newspaper could ever provide. Finally, we individually tailored each “bucket” in the grid to suit the style of content it would contain.
This templated grid approach made presenting the massive array of content as easy for the NZ Herald staff as it was for their readers to use it.
While the relaunch of nzherald.co.nz was hugely successful, neither we nor the NZ Herald stopped there. Over the last five years we’ve continued to evolve sections of the site, improving the design and functionality to suit changing needs. Both APN and Shift are very proud of the result, which has won several Qantas Media Awards and was honoured as one of the top 12 online newspaper sites in the world at the Webbies.
