RadioGaala and Kaiku
A flexible platform and design system
RadioMedia, the umbrella organization for Finnish commercial radio, hosts the annual Radio Gaala and Kaiku competitions, celebrating the best in radio programs, music, and advertising. To support these events, they needed a highly flexible digital platform that could adapt to new branding each year while seamlessly managing submissions, judging, and public voting.
Starting point
The existing competition websites lacked the adaptability needed to accommodate annual branding updates, making it difficult to refresh colors, logos, and typography. The platform also needed to serve multiple user groups: applicants submitting their work, judges evaluating hundreds of entries, the public participating in voting, and the RadioMedia team managing competition themes and accessibility requirements. A key challenge was ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience for each of these distinct audiences.
Approach
The solution was a dynamic, modular website structure that could efficiently serve all user groups. I designed a streamlined participant submission flow, ensuring applicants could easily submit their work with all required details. A dedicated judging system provided a structured evaluation process, while a mobile-first public voting system encouraged engagement.
A key focus was on flexibility—the website’s interface elements were designed to automatically adjust to different branding elements, allowing RadioMedia to refresh the look and feel each year without rebuilding the site. Usability, accessibility, and interaction design were top priorities to ensure a seamless experience for all users.
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Impact
The new system transformed the way RadioMedia manages its competitions. The scalable and adaptable platform allows for effortless branding updates while delivering a smooth experience for applicants, judges, and voters. The intuitive backend enables the team to manage two distinct competition websites with ease, ensuring a seamless and engaging digital presence for Radio Gaala and Kaiku—now and in the years to come.
"Lia has a sharp ability to translate complex ideas into intuitive digital experiences. Her expertise in product and service design ensures that every solution is not only visually compelling but also highly functional, user-centered, and scalable."
