Winnipeg Art Gallery Website

The complete redevelopment of the WAG website is an example of a project with many challenges and many rewards. The original website was virtually a text-only website, managed by a rudimentary content management system. Velocity Branding was contracted to rethink this website from the ground up.

Our concept, developed with the WAG was to celebrate the artwork and also the Gallery’s architecture. The design included a background that frames the content area. The frame uses architectural and event photos from the history of the WAG. Large images of artwork from the collection are used throughout the content areas.

• The entire structure and sitemap was rethought for optimum flow and understanding
• The website was developed to create a very rich experience for the user, one that would make them want to see the gallery in person
• The new wag.ca offers the ability to explore the entire collection of 25,000 pieces of artwork, 10,000 of which have large, gorgeous photography.
• Detailed exhibition listings with tied in programs cross linked and other resources such as walking tour podcasts
• a new blog for curators to discuss upcoming projects
• large, customizable calendar with numerous features for admin staff to manage
• class registration and online purchasing

Between the September 2009 re-launch of wag.ca and April 1, 2010, there were 60,000 new unique visitors to the site. The average time the average user would spend browsing the website went from under 1min13sec to 2min55sec with an increase in pageviews to 5, double the previous website. One of the main reasons for increased traffic is that we expanded the features and resources offered over the previous site.

These features have driven much more extensive searching and exploration through the site – people enjoy moving through the site in a way like moving through the gallery.

In 2010 www.wag.ca was awarded a Signature Award for best website as well as a People’s Choice Award. Design Edge Magazine’s Regional Design Awards chose the WAG website as Best of Region (Prairies) in addition to Best Website.