Creating a digital home for the Royal Navy’s history and stories
The National Museum of the Royal Navy needed a fresh digital presence to replace a website that had barely changed since 2015.
The task was to bring multiple independent sites together into one coherent platform that felt modern, easy to use, and true to the museum’s vision of being the world’s most respected naval museum. More than just a functional site, it needed to inspire people to visit, support, and engage with the museum’s work.
We began by listening. Through workshops with staff, focus groups, user testing, and accessibility audits, we built a clear picture of who the museum’s audiences were and what they needed. Visitors wanted to find practical information quickly, but they also wanted to connect with the stories, collections, and experiences that make the museum unique. These insights became the foundation of a user-centred strategy shaped as much by people’s motivations as by the organisation’s goals.
Designing the new site was about clarity and storytelling. We used clean layouts and striking photography to draw attention to collections and places, while making journeys to tickets, donations, and learning resources straightforward. Every choice – from navigation to content style – was made to make the museum feel welcoming, accessible, and easy to explore.
The result is a single platform that feels like a natural extension of the museum itself. It brings together diverse audiences and locations, helping people plan their visits, explore collections from home, and engage more deeply with the Royal Navy’s heritage. It is both a digital shop window and a trusted public face, blending the museum’s identity with the needs of its audiences.
This project shows how a website can do more than provide information. By focusing on people – their journeys, their questions, and their desire for connection – we created a platform that supports long-term goals, builds confidence, and inspires pride. It is a space where history feels alive and accessible to all.
