Website Design for Research and Publication Platforms

Designing for Credibility and Trust

Project Overview

International Monetary Monitor is a specialist research and publication platform focused on global economics, monetary policy, and financial analysis. The goal of this project was to create a website that reflects authority and credibility while making long-form written content easy to navigate, read, and explore.

It was essential that the site function well for readers as well as for the publishers, so they could easily upload new articles as they liked without needing assistance.

I developed a modern, structured platform designed to support ongoing publishing, clear content hierarchy, and a growing library of insights. The result is a professional digital presence built for trust, usability, and long-term scalability, helping research-driven organisations present their work with professionalism and clarity.

I handle ongoing management of this website as well as potentially expanding it in the future.

Portfolio Website - International Monetary Monitor
The site is optimised for all screens - laptop, phone and desktop

Key Considerations for the International Monetary Monitor Website

Professionalism and Credibility

The primary goal of this project was to present the International Monetary Monitor in a way that feels professional, credible, and appropriate for a long-standing research publication. The design avoids visual excess and focuses on clarity, consistency, and structure, allowing the work itself to convey authority. Layout, typography, and spacing were chosen to support serious reading and reference use rather than to attract attention through stylistic devices.

Clear Navigation and Content Structure

Given the volume and range of material published by the International Monetary Monitor, highlighting clarity of navigation was essential. Content is organised into clearly defined sections so readers can quickly locate newsletters, articles, courses, and archived material without confusion. The structure is intentionally conventional, reducing cognitive load and ensuring the site remains easy to use for both new and returning readers.

Technical Structure and Content Management

The website was built to support regular publication and long-term content management rather than one-off updates. Custom post structures and consistent templates make it straightforward to publish new articles, newsletters, and archival material while maintaining a coherent layout across the site. This allows content to grow organically without requiring structural changes or manual formatting each time new material is added.

Video content is integrated in a way that feels native to the site rather than embedded as an afterthought. YouTube videos are presented within the same visual system as written content, ensuring consistency while allowing media to be updated or expanded externally without affecting site performance or layout stability.

The site also supports downloadable resources, including publications and reference material, with clear presentation and predictable access points. This ensures readers can easily engage with longer-form material while preserving a structured, dependable experience across different content types.

Restrained Use of Colour and Visual Elements

The site makes sparing use of the organisation’s teal brand colour to provide subtle visual cues without overwhelming the content. Colour is used to reinforce hierarchy and orientation rather than decoration, supporting a calm and consistent reading experience. This restrained approach helps maintain a neutral, authoritative tone and ensures the design remains durable over time.

Ongoing Site Management and Publication Support

Following launch, I continue to support the International Monetary Monitor as an active publication rather than a static website. Ongoing work focuses on ensuring the site remains stable, reliable, and easy to maintain as new material is added over time.

This includes managing technical updates, maintaining compatibility with hosting and platform changes, and supporting the publication of new articles, newsletters, video content, and downloadable material. The emphasis is on preserving consistency and avoiding disruption, so the structure and presentation remain familiar to regular readers.

Rather than periodic redesigns or feature-driven changes, updates are handled incrementally and with restraint. This approach ensures the website continues to function as a dependable archive and publishing platform, aligned with the long-term nature of the work it hosts.

Want to Learn More?

Exposure Creative designs websites that look good and perform well for businesses, services and professionals worldwide. See more about my website design service.

Do you need a Website for Publication or Research Platform?

I look forward to learning about your work and coming up with a tailored proposal for you.

Included in My Web Design Service

Exposure Creative example of a website I've made from my Portfolio of Websites showing across devices
Website for a Siem Reap Tour Operator

User-friendly, conversion-focused design that guides visitors toward enquiries or bookings

Clear brand messaging so the right people immediately understand what you offer

Responsive design that works seamlessly across desktop, tablet, and mobile

SEO-optimised structure, including clean page hierarchy and on-page best practices

Solid technical foundations, with semantic HTML and schema markup where appropriate

Properly optimised images for fast loading and strong visual impact

Performance optimisation to keep load times fast and reliable

Why work with me?

  • SEO focused website structure built for long-term visibility and growth

  • Practical, conversion-driven design that prioritises clarity, usability, and trust

  • Proper technical implementation inlcuding semantic structure and markup schema
  • Clear, reliable and straightforward communication from planning through to launch
  • One point of contact for web design and commercial photography, avoiding misalignments and streamlining the process

  • Original, authentic photography created specifically for your brand with your website needs in mind

  • Strong visual branding that enhances credibility, usability, and site performance

  • Trusted by clients through consistent results and repeat business