Make Some Noise
Make Some Noise is Global’s official charity, supporting small UK charities that help disadvantaged people in local communities.
Global’s Make Some Noise charity needed a full-scale website redesign. The existing site, while functional, felt dated, text-heavy, and uninspiring. Lacking the visual energy and emotional warmth needed to reflect the incredible causes it supports. My task was to reimagine the site from the ground up: modernising the brand’s digital presence, injecting vibrancy and personality, and ultimately encouraging users not just to browse or enter competitions, but to feel emotionally compelled to donate.
Client
Global
Role
Senior UX/ UI Designer
Team
2 Designers, 3 Developers and 1PM
Timeframe
July 2025 - September 2025
Stefan
Senior Developer at Global
“Collaborating with Alex has been a seamless experience. His UX designs are not only visually polished but thoughtfully structured, making implementation straightforward and efficient. Alex’s clear communication and deep user empathy consistently elevated the final product."
The Problem
Shifting user perception
The existing site positioned competitions as the primary interaction point, which risked overshadowing the charity’s core purpose. A key challenge was reframing Make Some Noise as a charity-first platform, while still preserving the excitement and accessibility that competitions bring. The experience needed to feel purpose-led without becoming overly serious or transactional.
Outdated and text-heavy experience
The previous visual identity lacked energy and warmth, relying heavily on dense copy and static layouts. The challenge was to evolve the design language into something more modern, vibrant, and emotionally engaging — without alienating existing supporters or losing brand recognition.
Balancing playfulness with credibility
Make Some Noise operates in a unique space: fun, music-led campaigns supporting deeply serious causes such as mental health, domestic abuse recovery, and family care. The redesign had to strike a careful balance — maintaining joy, optimism, and momentum, while treating the subject matter with sensitivity and respect.
Improving the donation journey
The original donation flow lacked urgency and emotional connection. I needed to simplify the journey, improve visual hierarchy, and use storytelling, colour, and clear calls to action to encourage users to move from awareness to action — without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.
Cross-team alignment
With input from editorial, radio, charity leads, and digital teams, aligning priorities and feedback was an ongoing challenge. This required clear communication, rapid iteration, and a flexible design approach that could accommodate different perspectives while protecting the integrity of the overall experience.
The Project Goals
The primary goal of this project was to reposition Global's Make Some Noise as a charity-first digital experience that inspires people to connect with the causes behind the campaigns, rather than simply engaging with competitions. The redesign needed to create a stronger emotional connection by bringing the stories, impact, and purpose of the charity to the forefront, while maintaining the optimism and energy that make the brand so distinctive.
Another key objective was to modernise the overall experience through a more vibrant visual identity, improved content hierarchy, and a simpler user journey. By reducing cognitive overload and making donations feel more accessible and meaningful, the aim was to encourage users to move naturally from awareness to action. Alongside this, the new design system needed to be flexible enough to support future campaigns and content, while providing a cohesive experience across the charity's growing digital presence.
The Process
Every project starts with understanding the problem before designing a solution. I use the Double Diamond design process as a guide because it keeps the work focused on real user needs while ensuring the final product meets business goals.
Discover (Understanding the Problem)
Before opening Figma, I take time to learn about the business, the users, and the challenges they're facing.
This might include:
- Learning about your business goals
- Understanding your target audience
- Reviewing existing products or websites
- Looking at competitors and industry trends
- Identifying pain points and opportunities
The goal is to build a clear picture of what needs to be solved—not just what needs to be designed.
Define (Creating a Clear Direction)
Once the research is complete, I organise the findings into a clear plan.
During this stage, I:
- Prioritise the biggest user and business needs
- Define project goals
- Map out user journeys
- Decide which features or pages will have the greatest impact
This creates a strong foundation before moving into design, helping avoid unnecessary revisions later.
Develop (Exploring Solutions)
With a clear direction in place, I begin designing and testing ideas.
This typically includes:
- Wireframes
- User flows
- Interface design
- Interactive prototypes
- Gathering feedback and refining the design
Rather than settling on the first idea, I explore different approaches to find the solution that works best for both users and the business.
Deliver (Building the Final Product)
The final stage is about turning the chosen solution into something ready to launch. This includes:
- High-fidelity UI designs
- Design systems and components
- Developer handoff
- Final quality checks
- Support during implementation when needed
The result is a polished, user-focused product that is designed to solve real problems, not just look good.
Why This Process Matters
Following a structured design process helps reduce guesswork, keeps projects aligned with business goals, and ensures every design decision has a purpose.
It also creates better communication throughout the project, giving clients visibility into each stage and confidence that we're solving the right problem before investing time in the final design.
Conclusion
The redesign delivered a more expressive, human-centred digital experience that better reflects the energy and impact of Make Some Noise. The new site shifted the focus from simply entering competitions to understanding why donations matter, using storytelling, motion, and bold visuals to create a stronger emotional connection with users.
The refreshed visual identity brought warmth, confidence, and clarity to the brand, helping it feel more approachable and trustworthy across all touchpoints. Simplified layouts, improved hierarchy, and clearer messaging made it easier for users to engage with content, understand the charity’s impact, and take meaningful action.
Crucially, the redesigned donation journey helped increase engagement and intent by guiding users through a more compelling narrative — turning passive visitors into active supporters. Internal stakeholders responded positively to the clarity and flexibility of the new design system, which now better supports future campaigns, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives.
Overall, the project successfully repositioned Make Some Noise as a modern, emotionally resonant charity platform. One that inspires generosity while staying true to its energetic, music-led roots.a
38% Increase
in donations conversions following the redesign
+42 increase
in average session duration
-25% reduction
in drop-off during the donation journey
Reflection & Take-Away
This project reinforced how much design can influence not only usability, but also perception and emotional engagement. Creating an experience that felt energetic and optimistic while representing sensitive and often challenging causes required careful consideration of every design decision, from colour and imagery to content hierarchy and interaction design. It highlighted the importance of balancing creativity with empathy to build trust and encourage meaningful action.
Working closely with multiple stakeholders also strengthened my ability to collaborate, communicate design decisions, and iterate quickly in response to feedback without losing sight of the project's core objectives. One of the biggest lessons was recognising that successful charity websites are not driven by aesthetics alone; they rely on clear storytelling, thoughtful user journeys, and an understanding of what motivates people to support a cause. The final outcome demonstrated how a user-centred approach can transform a functional website into an experience that feels memorable, purposeful, and capable of driving real engagement.
Say Hello
I’m open for freelance and permanent role opportunities. Or simply say hello, if you like the site!
LinkedIn
me@alexwaters.co.ukSite designed and built by Alex Waters
©2026
Make Some Noise
Make Some Noise is Global’s official charity, supporting small UK charities that help disadvantaged people in local communities.
Global’s Make Some Noise charity needed a full-scale website redesign. The existing site, while functional, felt dated, text-heavy, and uninspiring. Lacking the visual energy and emotional warmth needed to reflect the incredible causes it supports. My task was to reimagine the site from the ground up: modernising the brand’s digital presence, injecting vibrancy and personality, and ultimately encouraging users not just to browse or enter competitions, but to feel emotionally compelled to donate.
Client
Global
Role
Senior UX/ UI Designer
Team
2 Designers, 3 Developers and 1PM
Timeframe
July 2025 - September 2025
Stefan
Senior Developer at Global
“Collaborating with Alex has been a seamless experience. His UX designs are not only visually polished but thoughtfully structured, making implementation straightforward and efficient. Alex’s clear communication and deep user empathy consistently elevated the final product."
The Problem
Shifting user perception
The existing site positioned competitions as the primary interaction point, which risked overshadowing the charity’s core purpose. A key challenge was reframing Make Some Noise as a charity-first platform, while still preserving the excitement and accessibility that competitions bring. The experience needed to feel purpose-led without becoming overly serious or transactional.
Outdated and text-heavy experience
The previous visual identity lacked energy and warmth, relying heavily on dense copy and static layouts. The challenge was to evolve the design language into something more modern, vibrant, and emotionally engaging — without alienating existing supporters or losing brand recognition.
Balancing playfulness with credibility
Make Some Noise operates in a unique space: fun, music-led campaigns supporting deeply serious causes such as mental health, domestic abuse recovery, and family care. The redesign had to strike a careful balance — maintaining joy, optimism, and momentum, while treating the subject matter with sensitivity and respect.
Improving the donation journey
The original donation flow lacked urgency and emotional connection. I needed to simplify the journey, improve visual hierarchy, and use storytelling, colour, and clear calls to action to encourage users to move from awareness to action — without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.
Cross-team alignment
With input from editorial, radio, charity leads, and digital teams, aligning priorities and feedback was an ongoing challenge. This required clear communication, rapid iteration, and a flexible design approach that could accommodate different perspectives while protecting the integrity of the overall experience.
The Project Goals
The primary goal of this project was to reposition Global's Make Some Noise as a charity-first digital experience that inspires people to connect with the causes behind the campaigns, rather than simply engaging with competitions. The redesign needed to create a stronger emotional connection by bringing the stories, impact, and purpose of the charity to the forefront, while maintaining the optimism and energy that make the brand so distinctive.
Another key objective was to modernise the overall experience through a more vibrant visual identity, improved content hierarchy, and a simpler user journey. By reducing cognitive overload and making donations feel more accessible and meaningful, the aim was to encourage users to move naturally from awareness to action. Alongside this, the new design system needed to be flexible enough to support future campaigns and content, while providing a cohesive experience across the charity's growing digital presence.
The Process
Every project starts with understanding the problem before designing a solution. I use the Double Diamond design process as a guide because it keeps the work focused on real user needs while ensuring the final product meets business goals.
Discover (Understanding the Problem)
Before opening Figma, I take time to learn about the business, the users, and the challenges they're facing.
This might include:
- Learning about your business goals
- Understanding your target audience
- Reviewing existing products or websites
- Looking at competitors and industry trends
- Identifying pain points and opportunities
The goal is to build a clear picture of what needs to be solved—not just what needs to be designed.
Define (Creating a Clear Direction)
Once the research is complete, I organise the findings into a clear plan.
During this stage, I:
- Prioritise the biggest user and business needs
- Define project goals
- Map out user journeys
- Decide which features or pages will have the greatest impact
This creates a strong foundation before moving into design, helping avoid unnecessary revisions later.
Develop (Exploring Solutions)
With a clear direction in place, I begin designing and testing ideas.
This typically includes:
- Wireframes
- User flows
- Interface design
- Interactive prototypes
- Gathering feedback and refining the design
Rather than settling on the first idea, I explore different approaches to find the solution that works best for both users and the business.
Deliver (Building the Final Product)
The final stage is about turning the chosen solution into something ready to launch. This includes:
- High-fidelity UI designs
- Design systems and components
- Developer handoff
- Final quality checks
- Support during implementation when needed
The result is a polished, user-focused product that is designed to solve real problems, not just look good.
Why This Process Matters
Following a structured design process helps reduce guesswork, keeps projects aligned with business goals, and ensures every design decision has a purpose.
It also creates better communication throughout the project, giving clients visibility into each stage and confidence that we're solving the right problem before investing time in the final design.
Conclusion
The redesign delivered a more expressive, human-centred digital experience that better reflects the energy and impact of Make Some Noise. The new site shifted the focus from simply entering competitions to understanding why donations matter, using storytelling, motion, and bold visuals to create a stronger emotional connection with users.
The refreshed visual identity brought warmth, confidence, and clarity to the brand, helping it feel more approachable and trustworthy across all touchpoints. Simplified layouts, improved hierarchy, and clearer messaging made it easier for users to engage with content, understand the charity’s impact, and take meaningful action.
Crucially, the redesigned donation journey helped increase engagement and intent by guiding users through a more compelling narrative — turning passive visitors into active supporters. Internal stakeholders responded positively to the clarity and flexibility of the new design system, which now better supports future campaigns, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives.
Overall, the project successfully repositioned Make Some Noise as a modern, emotionally resonant charity platform. One that inspires generosity while staying true to its energetic, music-led roots.a
38% Increase
in donations conversions following the redesign
+42 increase
in average session duration
-25% reduction
in drop-off during the donation journey
Reflection & Take-Away
This project reinforced how much design can influence not only usability, but also perception and emotional engagement. Creating an experience that felt energetic and optimistic while representing sensitive and often challenging causes required careful consideration of every design decision, from colour and imagery to content hierarchy and interaction design. It highlighted the importance of balancing creativity with empathy to build trust and encourage meaningful action.
Working closely with multiple stakeholders also strengthened my ability to collaborate, communicate design decisions, and iterate quickly in response to feedback without losing sight of the project's core objectives. One of the biggest lessons was recognising that successful charity websites are not driven by aesthetics alone; they rely on clear storytelling, thoughtful user journeys, and an understanding of what motivates people to support a cause. The final outcome demonstrated how a user-centred approach can transform a functional website into an experience that feels memorable, purposeful, and capable of driving real engagement.
Site designed and built by Alex Waters
©2026
Say Hello
I’m open for freelance and permanent role opportunities. Or simply say hello, if you like the site!
LinkedIn
me@alexwaters.co.uk