SPD Redesign · Competitor Analysis

IA, usability, and discoverability.

SPD read against AIGA NY, TDC, and D&AD on how each site structures user pathways. Detailed case-study chart.

04 Sites

02 Views

Detailed view 9 categories · case study

Read across

Site Index	01Navigation	02Homepage	03Content	04Competitions	05Events	06Opportunities	07Membership	08Interaction	09Overall
01 SPD Society of Publication Designers Subject	Overloaded nav Equal-weight paths blur priority	No anchor moment Competing CTAs split focus	Repetitive page system Layouts repeat without intent	Awards de-emphasized Open status often unclear	Buried in flow Registration path is hidden	Listing, not a tool Filters feel decorative	Hard to find Value lives below the fold	Silent feedback Click destinations unclear	Structure, not surface Hierarchy is the redesign brief
02 AIGA NY AIGA New York chapter Peer	Community-led labels Fewer, simpler choices	Programming-first Events anchor the page	Programs as containers Resources cluster cleanly	Quiet surface Events lead instead	Front and center Clear path to register	Directory-supported Career via community ties	Support framing Participation visible everywhere	Predictable cards States behave consistently	Community as IA Grouping makes content reachable
03 TDC Type Directors Club Peer	Short, role-based Specialized labels do the work	Identity as anchor Type holds the page together	One subject, many views Tight context, fewer branches	Built into the brand Front-of-site placement	Owned calendar Upcoming list is scannable	Routed via membership No standalone job board	Benefit-first framing Access · discounts · archives	Minimal decisions Few actions per page	Focus-as-IA One subject can unify the site
04 D&AD Design & Art Direction Peer	Goal-led grouping Awards · learn · community · shop	Editorial hierarchy Pathways read as distinct	Ecosystem silos Each section is its own world	Strong front pathway Hierarchy guides entry	Linked to learning Discoverable through adjacency	Goal-driven paths Awards + learning over a job board	Framed as access Tied to outcomes, not status	Confident CTAs Flows feel intentional	Editorial at scale Hierarchy carries complex content

Slide view 6 categories · presentation

Read at a glance

Site Index	01Navigation	02Homepage	03Content	04Opportunities	05Membership	06Overall
01 SPD Society of Publication Designers Subject	Overloaded nav Equal-weight paths blur priority	No anchor moment Competing CTAs split focus	Repetitive layouts Pages blur into each other	Listing, not a tool Filters feel decorative	Hard to find Value lives below the fold	Structure, not surface Hierarchy is the brief
02 AIGA NY AIGA New York chapter Peer	Community-led labels Fewer, simpler choices	Programming-first Events anchor the page	Programs as containers	Directory-supported Career via community ties	Support framing Participation visible	Community as IA Grouping makes content reachable
03 TDC Type Directors Club Peer	Short, role-based Specialized labels	Identity as anchor Type holds the page	One subject, many views	Routed via membership No standalone board	Benefit-first framing Access · discounts · archives	Focus-as-IA One subject unifies the site
04 D&AD Design & Art Direction Peer	Goal-led grouping Awards · learn · community · shop	Editorial hierarchy Pathways read as distinct	Ecosystem silos	Goal-driven paths Awards + learning over jobs	Framed as access Tied to outcomes	Editorial at scale Hierarchy carries complex content

SPD — subject Peers Synthesis column

Scope — IA · usability · discoverability only