Project Details

Slowdown Summit had a unique challenge: their conference was intentionally designed for introverts, neurodivergent leaders, and nontraditional thinkers, but most conference websites are overwhelming, unpredictable, and designed for neurotypical users. They needed a digital experience that actually reflected their mission of creating calm, thoughtful spaces.

I started by researching neurodivergent design principles, discovering that many common practices actually work against accessibility: unclear instructions, excessive animations, poor typography spacing, and unpredictable layouts all contribute to cognitive overload. But I also learned that some neurodivergent users benefit from interactive elements and subtle stimulation. The challenge was finding the right balance.

My design decisions centered on reducing mental load while maintaining engagement: I created clear visual hierarchy, established predictable hero sections that matched across pages, incorporated generous spacing, and carefully selected which interactive elements to include. The wireframes prioritized clarity and intentional interaction over flashiness, ensuring every element had a clear purpose. I delivered the design specifications and patterns and continue to provide feedback and guidance as the site is implemented.

* Due to ongoing event building, certain pages and information are omitted to maintain the surprise factor.