Author: Joseph Mukorivo, Front-End Developer at AMAKA 

We're excited to unveil the first iteration of our platform redesign! This update brings a range of enhancements to user experience, performance improvements, and new platform features. 

Here’s a look at what’s new and improved:

Key Improvements

Enhanced User Experience

• Refreshed Look and Feel: We've modernized the platform with a sleek, new design, elevating the overall user experience (UX).

• Dark Mode: The platform now supports dark mode, seamlessly adjusting to your system preferences for optimal usability.

• Focus Mode: Enjoy articles distraction-free with our new focus mode, which hides non-essential elements for a cleaner reading experience.

Performance Boost

• Faster Load Times: Our platform now loads faster than ever, offering a smoother and more responsive experience for all users.
• Optimized Video Performance: Videos load and play more efficiently, with auto-play for desktop coming soon for a seamless video experience.

Content Creation and Consumption

• Improved Reading Experience: Articles now feature better formatting with clear distinctions for links, headings, and other elements, improving content readability.
• Enhanced Writing Tools: We’ve streamlined the article creation process, making it easier for contributors to share high-quality content.

SEO and Discoverability

• SEO Optimization: All pages now include optimized titles, meta descriptions, and preview images to improve search engine visibility and attract more visitors.
• Improved Content Recommendations: While still using test data, we’ve laid the groundwork for personalized content recommendations to enhance user engagement.

Platform Features

• Better Onboarding: New users can get started more easily with our revamped onboarding process, enhancing their overall platform experience.
• Enhanced Gig Listings: We’ve improved how gig listings are displayed and interacted with, making it easier for users to find relevant opportunities.

What’s Next

We’re not stopping here! Our team is already working on:

• Finalizing the design for an improved search experience
• Implementing auto-play for videos on desktop
• Refining our recommendation system with real user data for enhanced personalization

Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to enhance the platform. Please share your thoughts, suggestions, or any issues you encounter during testing.

Thank you for helping make our platform the best it can be!