WEBSITE REDESIGN

for CENTER FOR AUTISM & REL. DIS.

role: UX/UI Design, Visual Design, Front-End Dev.

About a 15 min read

result: failed to launch

CARD WEBSITE REDESIGN

Center for Autism & Related Disorders (CARD)

CARD treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at treatment centers around the globe.


STRATEGY

[ user needs + product objectives ]

Started with assessment of current website with site map, content audit, analytics report with 5 years of data. As well as definition of content owners per section and interview meetings with each.

Current website was static, had outdated branding, “mystery meat”/inconsistent navigation, long load time, and a high drop off rate. Each page or section of the site was owned by different individuals throughout the course of years, creating redundant content and often an unclear user experience.

Lead development team by defining roles, task assignments and keeping project documentation as well as directing weekly status updates. I introduced an agile development approach to take place of the current waterfall approach. I also facilitated design workshops with stakeholders to define the business requirements; defined project goals, audiences, and technical needs.

User Needs

  • Parents/ care takers: Autism research, community, support, service guide
  • Professionals: job opportunities, training programs
  • Funding sources: contact information, reputation, locations

Product Goals

  • Establish CARD as leading authority on the autism subject among professionals in industry.
  • Educate and inform public about the autism subject.
  • Inform, guide and qualify website visitor for CARD services and products.

SCOPE

[ functional specifications + content requirements ]

I took inventory of the content after I met with every contributor and content owner. With this in hand I could begin to strategize the content; what we had, what was outdated, and what needed to be created.

At this phase I also met with our assigned programmer and the tech manager. We defined technical considerations and needs, as well as set expectations for an agile development approach.

TECHNICAL GOALS

  • RESPONSIVE
  • CONTENT CLARITY
  • EASE OF USE
  • SITE-WIDE SEARCH
  • SCALABLE

STRUCTURE

[ interaction design + information architecture ]

With our audiences and goals in mind, I began to clarify our content, navigation, and branding.

Did card sorting exercises with the development team to create clarity in content and navigation. I took our card sorting findings and set a structure map. I met with all the stakeholders to sign off on the structure of their section. There were some corrections and adjustments. Then I followed up with each contributor to set a plan on their content creation.

In collaboration with the marketing manager, a branding strategy was done. We defined logo usage, brand language and color palette. We also recruited two graphic designers and collaborated in assigning design tasks.


SKELETON

[ information design + interface design + navigation design ]

I started by testing out navigation system ideas with quick pencil wireframes. I met with the development team to “try out and vote” on my top three navigation ideas. Then I designed the interface for the best navigation idea.

I did pencil sketch wireframes per page and set layout patterns. Working along with the marketing manager, our two visual designers and our programer, a design guide for the website started to take shape. This was valuable to the technical goal of scalability.

RAPID SKETCHES

NAVIGATION DESIGN


SURFACE

Because I was the UI designer and the front-end programmer, I was able to bypass making design comps. Instead I created a style guide demo; which also supported our scalability goal. I took a rapid prototype approach; from sketch wireframe to clickable prototype.

All the while leading our visual designers along side the marketing manager. Working closely with the back-end programmer seeing deliverables to completion. As well as corralling content from contributors and getting sign offs from stakeholders.


SUMMARY

This project failed to launch. I wish I could tell you why that is. I was laid off two weeks away from the planned launch date. I learned a lot in this project and it helped me grow immensely in my craft. At the end of the day I’m proud of what I delivered and would be more than happy to see it through to launch if given the chance.

OUTCOME

Failed to launch.

LEADING THE WAY IN THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF AUTISM.

Center for Autism & Related Disorders (CARD) treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at treatment centers around the globe.

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