Back in February, we announced the launch of the new brand and website for the Novel Foods Expert Network (NFX UK) – you can read the full story here. This first phase established the brand identity and created a public-facing website to introduce the network and its mission.
With the second phase now live, we’ve extended the website to include a dedicated members area, transforming it into an online resources platform where experts and organisations working in novel foods can access exclusive guides, documentation and connect with each other.
Designing the members experience
Our aim was to create a seamless extension of the original site, giving existing visitors a clear pathway to join while ensuring members have an intuitive and engaging environment once signed in. We developed a dedicated members area that integrates smoothly with the public site, maintaining a consistent design language while introducing new interactive features.
Building the online Knowledge Hub
At the heart of Phase 2 is the Knowledge Hub, designed as the go-to resource centre for the network. We structured the hub to house:
- A resources library: curating reports, guidance and insights
- A members directory: showcasing the growing community of members and experts
- An interactive forum: providing a space for discussion, knowledge-sharing and collaboration
- A Novel Foods Roadmap: designed as a visual guide to help demystify the processes involved in bringing new products to market
Sign-up and exclusive content
Access to the Knowledge Hub is exclusive to those who sign up as members. We developed a clear sign-up flow that gives novel food experts and organisations a straightforward way to join, unlocking the ability to access content, showcase their expertise, and engage with peers in a select community.
Membership levels are all controlled in the website dashboard, by our client’s website team with easy management of members and the exclusive online content that they have access to.
Connecting content and people through shared topics
To make the Knowledge Hub more than the sum of its parts, we introduced shared topics that link resources, member profiles, and forum discussions. This means members exploring a specific area of novel foods can see related reports, connect with experts in that field, and join conversations on the same theme — creating a joined-up experience across the hub’s different features.
Extending the platform
By evolving the site from a public-facing website into a dynamic members platform, we’ve expanded NFX UK to deliver greater value to its community. This represents a significant step in evolving the website, creating an online hub that not only informs but actively connects and supports professionals shaping the future of food.
Following a successful launch conference at The Royal Society in London this week, we look forward to seeing how the network evolves.