If they find it, they will come
But Zvents had a “findability” problem. Its confining search experience didn’t allow for extensive browsing once visitors landed on a given event page. Hot Studio put the solution in sharp focus: Zvents needed to be a place for people to learn more about events they already knew of, as well as a place to discover new venues for outings and entertainment. For example, the new Zvents site would need to know if an event is worth seeing, in a hip neighborhood, and close by great bars and restaurants.

So Hot set out to create a highly extensible design that would not only make searches easy and more fulfilling, but would be replicable on the individually branded sites of hundreds of partners. After extensive user experience exploration and a brand workshop, Hot tested some early interface concepts with users, integrating their feedback and partner insights into the design.

The scene 360
One of the results came in the form of a more robust search experience, leveraging tags on events rather than relying on just three search categories. Hot made it easy for people to save event searches and let users' friends “like” any of the saved events. The navigation now reminds people they can keep exploring, as do maps locating events and nearby places of interest. And to maximize partner relationships, the new site allows them to upload reviews and pictures tied to an event.

Hot Studio’s got the ticket
With dramatic visual design for both Zvents and its partner sites, Hot infused Zvents with the excitement of a packed venue. Premium events get more dressed up. Pictures get a wider screen. And, by keeping some of the design transparent, partner sites can plug their brands’ color palettes into a wide array of visual assets, including links, text, and page backgrounds.

The new zvents.com encourages people to browse further, even after they’ve found an event that interests them. And the striking, customizable interface keeps them coming back for more.