Redesigning Nova Doba: Building a Modern, Inclusive News Platform

At onPoint Studio, we recently had the privilege of launching a project that was both technically challenging and deeply meaningful: the complete redesign of the Nova Doba website – a regional news platform serving the Cherkasy region of Ukraine.

From day one, our goal was clear: to create a platform that feels modern and intuitive, works seamlessly across all devices, and remains accessible to every user, regardless of their abilities.

Supporting Access to Reliable News

Nova Doba plays an important role in the local information space. As a news portal, it needs to be fast, accessible, and easy to navigate. But the old version of the site lacked clarity and adaptability, especially on mobile. That’s where we stepped in.

We kicked off the redesign in late 2024 with a simple but ambitious objective: to build a user-friendly, mobile-first, and inclusive platform that would make accessing regional news effortless for everyone.

The redesigned site is now live and ready to serve its readers – with improved structure, fresh visuals, and optimized performance across all screen sizes.

Navigating the Challenges of Legacy Systems

Every redesign comes with its own set of challenges – and Nova Doba was no exception. One of the most critical parts of the project was preserving the familiarity of the old structure while introducing modern design and features.

Users were already accustomed to how the site worked, so we couldn’t simply start from scratch. Instead, we needed to enhance the user experience without disrupting it.

We focused on:

• Streamlining the layout while keeping content hierarchy clear
• Improving page speed through optimization and clean architecture
• Integrating dynamic features without overwhelming the interface

From technical constraints to UX fine-tuning, this project reminded us how crucial it is to balance innovation with user expectations.

Designing for Everyone: Inclusivity in Action

Inclusivity was a cornerstone of the project – not just a checkbox.

We asked ourselves early on: How can we make this platform truly accessible to all?
The result was a set of thoughtful design decisions aimed at improving usability for people with different needs.

We implemented features like:

• 📏 Font size controls for better readability
• 🔲 High-contrast mode for improved visual clarity
• ⌨️ Full keyboard navigation for those using assistive technologies

These features don’t just serve people with disabilities – they improve the experience for everyone.

Our approach was guided by modern accessibility standards, and we’re proud to say the platform now aligns with WCAG principles in both spirit and practice.

Light and Dark Mode, Streamlined Donations, and More

In addition to accessibility, we built several features that enhance user personalization and support Nova Doba’s mission:

• ☀️ Light and dark themes, giving users the choice of reading experience
• 💳 A simple, intuitive donation page to support ongoing journalism
• 🔍 Improved search and categorization for better content discovery

These features help users feel more in control – and help Nova Doba grow its community of supporters and readers.

What We Learned Along the Way

This project reminded us that successful digital products are built on more than just code and visuals. They require:

• Empathy
• Flexibility
• Deep collaboration between designers, developers, and stakeholders
• A shared commitment to purpose

The Nova Doba redesign wasn’t just about launching a better website. It was about helping a trusted regional voice speak more clearly, more accessibly, and more confidently in the digital space.

We’re proud of the result – but even more proud of the process behind it.

📌 You can visit the live site here: https://novadoba.com.ua