Théâtre Déchaînés is a Montreal-based cultural venue dedicated to making the performing arts open and welcoming to all.
As part of our DART 484 UX design course, we partnered with them to reimagine their ticketing experience from the ground up. This site documents our design process, from discovery and research to prototyping and testing, as we worked to build a billetterie that any user, regardless of ability or device, can navigate independently and with confidence.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project explores how to design a more accessible online ticketing experience for Théâtre Déchaînés.
The design challenge is framed by the organization’s day-to-day need to run its programming and communications through its own website, where people should be able to discover artists, read updates through an infoletter, and complete key transactions like submitting support tickets and buying tickets online (billeterie).
Right now, the site is not accessible enough, which means they need a full redesign focused on web accessibility and eco-responsible web practices, backed by research. They have internal support (an intern specialist and an accessibility intern) and will also be accompanied by people such as Marie Ayotte, but the current limitations are affecting real opportunities because they cannot reliably sell tickets online, they are restricted in collaborating with bigger theatres, even though they are already working in that ecosystem.
Accessibility-First Approach
The ticketing platform must prioritize accessibility to ensure that users with different abilities can independently browse events, select tickets, and complete purchases.
CMS & Technical Foundation
The system will be built using Concrete CMS. Development must rely on clean, semantic HTML and CSS.
Lightweight and Clean Code
Reducing technical complexity improves performance and accessibility while preventing unnecessary barriers for users.
Maintainability & Long-Term Stability
A simplified architecture ensures longevity and lowers maintenance risks.
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
How might we design a ticketing system that enables independent ticket purchasing for diverse users while respecting the client’s need for clean, lightweight, and maintainable technology by improving accessibility, participation, and inclusion without increasing system complexity?
(01)
Perceivable
Information must be readable and accessible to screen readers.
(02)
Operable
Users must navigate the interface with a keyboard.
(03)
Understandable
Instructions, pricing, and actions must be clear.
(04)
Robust
The system should work with assistive technologies.
We designed a ticketing experience built on accessibility and inclusion.
Our work for Théâtre Déchaînés spans every phase of the UX design process from uncovering user needs through research to building a consistent design system and to crafting prototypes that put accessibility first. Each deliverable reflects our commitment to creating a ticketing experience that is simple, equitable, and genuinely usable by everyone.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
We build trust through listening, collaboration and shared purpose.
Throughout this project, we worked closely with Théâtre Déchaînées to ensure our design decisions aligned with their real needs and operational reality. Every meeting, feedback session, and design iteration was guided by open communication and a genuine commitment to getting it right together.
"Working with Meiji and Angelina was simple and straightforward. They well understood our needs and listened to our requests. The project we worked on together is not small nor easy, and when we realized this, we made some choices about what we should focus on knowing that we realistically couldn't do everything. They help and invest themselves in all the reflections we add."
Pierre Tremblay-Thériault
Web and Accessible Communications Manager, Théâtre Déchaînés