WaveSites

Recruitment website platform design focused on scalable UX, performance, and brand consistency

UI/UX DesignDesign SystemsPlatform Design

WaveSites is Wave's recruitment website platform, designed to produce high-performing, brand-led recruitment websites using a research-driven UX framework. Treating recruitment websites as a product rather than one-off projects, WaveSites is built around proven candidate and recruiter behaviours ensuring clear information hierarchy, effective job discovery, and strong conversion across all sites, while allowing each client's brand to be expressed through a flexible visual layer.

As Lead UX/UI Designer, I contributed to the ongoing evolution of the WaveSites platform by shaping the underlying UX framework, designing reusable UI patterns and templates, and creating a custom WordPress admin experience aligned with Wave's updated brand. The admin interface was designed to improve clarity and ease of use for non-technical users while maintaining visual consistency across the platform.

Wavesites user interface

Role
Lead UX/UI Designer

Purpose
To create high-performing recruitment websites using a consistent, research-led UX framework while allowing flexibility for brand-led design

Focus areas
Recruitment website UX best practices, conversion-focused page structure, design system thinking, and admin UX for non-technical users

Product
Recruitment website platform (WaveSites)

Scope of work
Defining the underlying UX structure and page templates, designing reusable UI patterns, and creating a custom WordPress admin experience to support content and brand management across multiple sites

Environment
Live platform used to deliver and manage multiple recruitment websites

Behaviour-led user journeys

Recruitment websites need to serve two distinct user groups -candidates and clients. Each with different goals, expectations, and behaviours. I mapped these journeys to ensure key actions were prioritised and content was structured around real user intent rather than static page templates.

Candidate Journey

Wavesites candidate journey map

Client Journey

Wavesites client journey map

Consistent structure through design systems

To support scalability across multiple client websites, I established a consistent design system covering layout patterns, components, and spacing rules. This ensured visual consistency while still allowing enough flexibility to adapt to different brand identities and content needs.

Modular and scalable page design

Each website is designed with a bespoke visual identity, while sharing a consistent underlying page structure built from reusable modules. This approach allows each client site to feel distinct, while enabling content to be managed through familiar, well-defined building blocks in the CMS. By separating structural consistency from visual expression, the platform supports scalability, usability for non-technical users, and long-term maintainability across multiple sites.

Intentional visual hierarchy and guidance

Colour, typography, and spacing are applied intentionally to guide attention toward key actions such as calls to action and form interactions. Subtle motion and transitions are used selectively to support flow and orientation without distracting from core content.

Mobile-first considerations

Layouts are adapted for mobile to prioritise clarity and action. Content is re-ordered for scanning, non-essential visual elements are reduced, and primary calls to action remain accessible, particularly on high-intent pages such as job listings. For example, job pages prioritise a clear role overview at the top of the page, with a sticky “Apply now” action to reduce friction and prevent drop-off.

WaveSites In Practice

The following examples demonstrate how the WaveSites platform adapts to different sectors and brand identities while maintaining a consistent, research-led UX structure. Each site is built using the same underlying framework, with brand expression applied through flexible visual design and modular components.

Evergen renewable energy website

WaveSites - Evergen

Brand-led recruitment website built on the WaveSites platform

Red Sea website design

WaveSites - Red Sea

Brand-led recruitment website built on the WaveSites platform

Vertex tech recruitment website

Vertex

Tech recruitment website built on the
WaveSites platform

Get In Touch

If you're interested in discussing a project, talking through an idea, or just stopping by to say hi, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn.

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