Fusion Online
Building a bespoke virtual conference platform for the scientific community
During the pandemic, Fusion Conferences, a leader in organising scientific conferences for the medical community, wanted to create an online platform specifically designed for their community stepping beyond the “Zoom rooms”. Their goal was to host live academic conferences that allow scientists and researchers to present findings, exchange ideas, and build connections—all online. I supported them by designing a platform that would not only enable live presentations but also promote meaningful interactions.
Deliverables: Product Design, Design System
Project Type: Full End-to-End using Fresh Framework
Team: Project Lead (me), Junior Designer, Development Agency
Business Goal
Fusion Conferences wanted to establish a comprehensive digital platform that would replicate the engagement of in-person conferences to support them during Covid-19. The goal was to create a scalable platform that could support various scientific disciplines, facilitate live presentations and Q&A sessions, and enable meaningful networking opportunities.
User Impact Goal
For the users, Fusion aimed to provide researchers and scientists with a dynamic space where they can connect, collaborate, and exchange knowledge without geographical limitations. The platform was designed to “deliver an engaging, interactive experience that encourages meaningful connections and makes sharing research feel effortless.”
Design Process
I worked closely with Fusion Conferences to understand their specific needs in managing conferences, and user expectations, ensuring that the platform supported both live events and meaningful engagement between participants.
01/ Research & Ideation
During the research phase, we broke down why existing conferencing tools did not meet the full needs or experience of an in-person conference. Feedback showed a need for features like moderated Q&A sessions, interactive rooms for discussions, easy access to conference materials, and peer to peer connection. All this guiding the feature set that would lead the platform.
02/ Flow Mapping
With an outline of features, I mapped out the entire user journey—from initial registration to attending live sessions and engaging in networking rooms. The goal was to make the experience intuitive, ensuring participants could easily navigate between sessions, ask questions, and connect with other attendees.
03/ Wireframes
Wireframes were created to outline the layout and structure of key features like the conference dashboard, live sessions, and networking rooms. This allowed for early feedback and adjustments, particularly within the networking capabilities, ensuring that the final design met the needs of both attendees and organisers.
04/ Concept Designs
Fusion Conference already had a set brand style, so, using this, I explored visual styles to reflect the brand, but also bring in a level of familiarity to a conferencing tool. Colour schemes and typography were chosen to keep the platform clean and easy to navigate, while conveying a sense of community and collaboration.
05/ Final Designs
The final platform brought together thoughtful deep levels of UX and UI design to make sure integrating interactive features such as live chat, video Q&A, and a central forum for discussions felt natural and intuitive. Every interaction was optimised to encourage participation, with clear calls-to-action and strategically placed elements to support user engagement and retention.
06/ Implementation & Growth
I worked closely with the development team to implement the design, ensuring all features—from live video streaming to peer-to-peer messaging—were smooth. Extensive testing was conducted to identify and fix any UX weaknesses. This process ensured that the platform delivered on the design expectations and provided a reliable experience for both organisers and attendees.
Next Steps
Fusion Conferences are now back to running in-person conferences, but their Online platform continues to evolve. Future updates include advanced networking tools, enhanced speaker management features, and additional analytics to help organisers better understand participant engagement and optimise future events.
Round Up
The project was focused around redefining how virtaul conferences were held, not just for Fusion Online but for everyone. By focusing on engagement, interactivity, and ease of use, the platform enabled Fusion to extend their reach and create a more connected scientific community. If you’re looking for a designer who can help create impactful digital experiences, I’d love to chat.