An award for an Interface

Russian Railway Transport Research Institute won the Golden Website 2021 contest in the Transport, Logistics and Delivery Website category. This award was the first for the institute in developing an up-to-date Internet resource user interface.

As Nikita Gorshkov, head of the center for commercial development and international cooperation of the Institute, told 1520international, the institute site was designed in cooperation with the design agency CreativePeople, which suggested the idea of participation in the contest. Updating the interface is due to the institute’s desire to make an advanced, informative online resource that is friendly for the institute's customers. 

The new concept of the site implies a unified design style as well as the use of infographics, 3D illustrations and animations. On the main page there is information about the company's 100+ years of history, as well as the structure of the institute and its areas of activity.

“The updated website was launched at the beginning of this year. During the first month the number of applications for our services received through the site has increased by 40% compared to the average indicator of 2021,” says Nikita Gorshkov.

In addition, on the occasion of the Institute's 105th anniversary in 2023, the new site will include archival information about its activities since its foundation, which would be a true encyclopedia for researchers and railway enthusiasts. 

Vera Borodkina, the contest coordinator, informed the publication that the projects were selected in two stages. The first one included the jury evaluation of works by several criteria - compliance to the nomination, chosen by each participant independently, and design relevance, usability and functionality. Based on these criteria, shortlists were formed including five works in each category.

“At the second stage, the jury was more involved - on average, it took two to three hours to discuss one candidate. The UX/UI design was considered in detail (UX is functionality, UI is interface visualization, - Ed.). The Institute website met all the criteria and received high marks both at the first and the second stages”, adds Vera Borodkina.

The winner of the competition will receive a diploma and a Golden Cybermaster statuette. The official awarding ceremony will take place in late spring.

Nikita Gorshkov noted that previously the institute had participated in a large number of contests and competitions dedicated to scientific advances including developments, theoretical achievements, and educational activities.

“Now our colleagues at CreativePeople have helped us succeed in a very important area at the moment - developing a modern user interface and experience (UI/UX),” he concludes.

Anna Yakusheva

Synopsis:
Golden Site is a Russian open Internet contest founded in 1997. It is organized by the Russian Association for Electronic Communications (RAEC). The chairman of the jury of the Golden Site 2021 contest is Notamedia digital agency's creative director Maxim Pavlov.