Developing Beautiful Experiences For Blazer's Fans

Background

The Rose Quarter is a vibrant sports and entertainment district located in the heart of Portland, Oregon. It encompasses the Moda Center, home of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, as well as the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and several other venues. The Rose Quarter Marketing Manager sought to enhance the experience for partners by providing a unified platform that combines access to both the Trail Blazers' and Rose Quarter's discount links, eliminating the complexity of managing separate codes.

Problem

The primary challenge faced by the Rose Quarter Marketing Manager was the need to provide partner organizations with a simplified process for accessing discount links. Previously, partners had to manage two separate codes – one for the Trail Blazers and another for the Rose Quarter. This led to confusion and inconvenience for partners, requiring them to keep track of multiple codes and URLs. The client sought a solution that would consolidate these codes into a single, easily accessible page, enhancing partner satisfaction and promoting the Rose Quarter brand.

Solution

1. Webflow Limitation: The Rose Quarter's website was built with Webflow, which limited the development of a custom application. To overcome this limitation, I proposed creating a widget that could be embedded on the webpage, providing the desired functionality within the existing framework.
2. Widget Development Process: As the development of the widget was a new endeavor for the Portland Trail Blazers, we established a process and tech stack for its creation and maintenance. This ensured efficient development and seamless integration with the existing infrastructure.
3. Design Component Library: To facilitate collaboration with the Marketing Manager and key stakeholders, we created a mini design component library in Figma. This allowed us to present wireframes and mocked-up widget views, providing a visual representation of the proposed solution and enabling feedback and iteration.
4. Trail Blazers Code System: The Trail Blazers code system presented a complex challenge. To address this, we collaborated with the Business Intelligence team responsible for managing the codes. Working closely with team member Travis Rockey, who built the database, we gained insights into the intricacies of the existing code system and developed strategies for its integration into the widget.
5. API Development: Utilizing Next.js Routes and Prisma, we developed a custom API that served as the middleware between the database and the widget. This allowed for seamless data retrieval and interaction, ensuring a smooth user experience for partners.
6. Integration and Connectivity: We connected the API to the database, establishing a robust and secure connection. Furthermore, we linked the API to the widget, enabling real-time updates and ensuring that partners always had access to the latest discount links and information.