A Digital Tribute to Excellence - Portfolio

merdeka award

A Digital Tribute to Excellence

Reimagining the Merdeka Award’s online presence with AI

Background

overview

The Merdeka Award, one of Malaysia’s highest recognitions for outstanding contributions in fields such as education, healthcare, science, and the arts, partnered with XIMNET to enhance their digital presence. We transformed their website into an elegant, user-friendly platform that reflects the prestige of the award while streamlining the application and nomination process. By integrating innovative features like a seamless form-filling experience, interactive AI chat, and a visually dynamic layout. We created a website that not only celebrates excellence but also improves accessibility and engagement for users across the globe.

the client

The Merdeka Award is a prestigious Malaysian accolade that honours individuals and organisations for their exceptional contributions to the nation’s development and global standing. Established in 2007 to commemorate Malaysia’s independence, the award recognises achievements in various fields including arts, education, healthcare, environment, and science.

Named in celebration of Malaysia’s history and values, the Merdeka Award aims to inspire future generations by showcasing excellence and outstanding dedication across different sectors. Each year, the award celebrates individuals whose work has made a meaningful impact both locally and internationally, while encouraging continued progress and innovation in their respective fields.

Through its continued legacy, the Merdeka Award upholds the spirit of excellence and nation-building, positioning itself as one of Malaysia’s highest recognitions for remarkable achievement.

challenges

One of the main challenges faced during the Merdeka Award website revamp was how to present a large volume of diverse content in a clean and visually appealing way. With various categories, information, and multimedia elements, it was essential to ensure that the website didn’t feel cluttered while still effectively communicating the breadth of the award’s work.

The previous website relied on Google Forms for submissions and other functionalities, which created a less seamless user experience. The goal was to replace this with more integrated, intuitive features that would allow users to engage more easily with the platform, all while maintaining a professional, polished appearance.

our approach

We focused on creating a seamless form-filling experience with easy navigation across the various steps. We ensured that the process was intuitive, allowing users to easily move through the application while maintaining clarity and simplicity at every stage.

We also digitised the entire nomination process, replacing the previous Google Forms system with a fully integrated, professional online form that allows for a smoother, more organised experience for both applicants and administrators.

To also streamline the content, optimise the site structure, and introduce modern functionalities that would make the website both user-friendly and visually balanced.

The design embodies prestige, honour, and the spirit of national pride.

The Work

Research

During the research phase, we took inspiration from streamlined, high-traffic systems such as university admission and grant application processes, focusing on how complex forms are managed with ease and efficiency. Valuable insights were obtained by structuring a multi-step form that is intuitive, user-friendly, and designed to handle large amounts of data without overwhelming the user.

This allows us to digitise the Merdeka Award’s nomination form, ensuring the process was both straightforward for applicants and efficient for administrators.

online tools

The previous form design used an accordion layout with multiple columns and token code applications, which, while functional, made navigation challenging. We redesigned the form with a stepper, clearly outlining the sequence of steps for an intuitive flow. Users can now easily track their progress, either vertically or horizontally.

To further enhance user experience, we added a progress indicator that shows users how much of the form they’ve completed and how much remains. This feature reduces uncertainty and encourages users to continue through the process.

We also introduced multimedia submission options, allowing users to submit text, images, or videos. This makes the process more inclusive and accessible to different user preferences.

Streamlining application process with new experience to bring greater results.

Design Concept

For the Merdeka Award website, we wanted to create an experience that felt as prestigious and luxurious as the award itself. The design incorporates a rich, dark background that evokes a sense of sophistication, paired with floating particle effects that add a dynamic and immersive quality to the site. This visual approach captures the essence of the award—celebrating excellence and achievement in a manner that feels both modern and refined.

The content was carefully arranged to ensure clarity and ease of comprehension. We organised the layout in a way that highlighted key information while guiding users seamlessly through their journey on the site. The dynamic layout ensures the website feels interactive and engaging, while also maintaining a clean and structured appearance that enhances the overall user experience.

XTOPIA AI Chat

XTOPIA AI Chat is an innovative feature integrated into the website to provide users with immediate, intelligent assistance. Powered by your website’s content, the AI chat leverages a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) model to generate accurate and consistent responses. By using the website’s content as a knowledge base, XTOPIA ensures that users receive precise information, enhancing their overall experience with the platform.

The AI is also designed to summarise key content from multiple sections of the site, allowing for quicker, more efficient responses. This feature not only aids in user navigation but also ensures that visitors can easily access relevant information, driving engagement and satisfaction.

Past Recipients Repository

The Past Recipients Repository features a dynamic and visually appealing fluid masonry layout that presents past award recipients in an organised yet flexible format. Able to browse easily & adjusting to different screen sizes while maintaining a structured view of past winners.

Precise filtering options are also introduced, allowing users to narrow down results by year, category, and award type. Allowing users to find specific recipients or explore particular categories, making the repository not only user-friendly but also more organised and efficient in presenting the award’s rich history.

AI Chatbot

Empowering user interactions with intelligent responses, enhancing engagement through real-time support.

Digitisation

Streamlining the nomination process with simplified forms for greater efficiency and accessibility.<br>

Masonry Layout

A fluid, organized display of recipients, enabling effortless exploration through precise filters.

The Results

The introduction of an unconventional chat UI brings a modern touch to the site, providing instant support without distracting users from their main tasks. By integrating the XTOPIA AI Chat in a subtle yet accessible way, we’ve ensured that users can interact with the chat system while maintaining focus on the content and objectives of the website.

Visually, the website now boasts a more refined, user-centric design that balances elegance and functionality. The clean and sophisticated layout ensures that users can enjoy an intuitive and visually appealing experience while seamlessly interacting with the various features and content.

project achivements

1.2k

users since its launch less than a month

1.19

minutes per session on average

11x

growth in mobile traffic

40%

and below in bounce rate, with an increased in sessions

The website’s vibe is as prestigious as the Merdeka Award itself—elegant, engaging, and designed to facilitate meaningful interactions, all while staying true to the award’s mission of celebrating excellence.

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