Serve Wyoming
Serve Wyoming
👤About
ServeWyoming is Wyoming’s center for volunteerism and national service. They exist to help implement and coordinate the AmeriCorps programs, as well as build, maintain and mobilize the volunteer infrastructure we believe necessary to address the critical needs in Wyoming.
Role: UI/UX Designer + Developer
Tools Used: WordPress, Elementor
Responsibilities: Web Design, Image Selection, Development
🎯Objective
The objective of the project was to build a website that met the requirements for AmeriCorps, showcased the different programs, offered a volunteer spotlight, and linked to the volunteer database for the organization.
Deliverables for this project:
The main deliverable for this project is a fully redesigned website with updated information architecture and a content reorganization.
📛Problem
The existing website was 7 years old and needed optimization in a few areas. It needed to be responsive, display ways that made it easier for volunteers to find their area to volunteer, and better organize the information to be displayed as required by AmeriCorps.
📋The Process
This project was a collaborative effort involving multiple teams at LUM Studio. I worked with the copywriter to develop the site's sitemap and information architecture. I also collaborated with the graphic designer to incorporate the newly created brand elements into the website, and I even created web standard brand guidelines for the client to utilize in the future.
Website Before
🧩 Solutions
The agency specifically requested that I utilize a WordPress website template as the foundation for creating and designing this website. The primary objective was to ensure ease of future updates and modifications for the client. Alongside this, I incorporated various custom elements that were specifically tailored to meet the organization's unique requirements. For instance, I implemented a visually appealing grid layout with icons to simplify volunteer navigation and aid in locating suitable areas of contribution. To enhance functionality, I worked on customizing the header call-to-actions by manipulating the PHP and I utilized custom post types to effectively display volunteer testimonials and showcase organizations.
🚫 Home Page Before
Although the home page was streamlined and successfully conveyed what Serve Wyoming is all about, there were a couple of missed opportunities. These included the absence of social proof and community impact, a lack of a clear call to action, and insufficient information about the organization as a whole. These elements could have further enhanced the page and engaged users effectively.
✅Home Page Layout Solution
To enhance the home page, we implemented an effective solution that expanded on the information provided to offer immediate insights into the organization's mission. We also incorporated quick links, similar to those found on the existing home page, to ensure easy navigation. Furthermore, we included a prominent call to action for the volunteer portal and we introduced a volunteer and organization spotlight feature to highlight the organization's involvement in the local community.
🚫 AmeriCorps Page Before
Finding information about the local and national AmeriCorps programs became a bit of a hassle for users as it was scattered across multiple pages. This resulted in the need for excessive clicking just to gather the details they were looking for. To add to the inconvenience, neither page offered a clear call to action or a properly organized information hierarchy. This made it challenging for users to navigate and locate the information they needed efficiently.
✅ AmeriCorps Page Solution
To make the page more engaging and visually appealing, I made a few addition which included a section that highlights the benefits of the organization's programs, drawing attention to what sets them apart and provided information about both national AmeriCorps programs and the local programs available. It's all about condensing the important info and making the page look great!
🚫 Volunteer Page Before
The volunteer page succeeded in providing clear instructions on how to access the volunteer portal, but it missed an important aspect: effectively communicating the value and impact that volunteers can have. Additionally, there was a secondary page that mainly featured an application form for Pro Bono services, resulting in unnecessary clicks for users that were looking to volunteer. The biggest UI opportunity was the absence of a visual hierarchy to showcase more information and emphasize the diverse ways individuals can get involved and create a positive impact through volunteering.
✅ Volunteer Page Solution
The main focus of this page was to make volunteering information easily accessible for volunteers, without having to navigate to the portal. I made it user-friendly by placing a call to action at the top, so if users knew what they needed, they could quickly take action. We decided to include relevant stats that demonstrate the difference volunteers make. Additionally, I made a custom grid with icons and clickable links for users to see the available volunteer areas. Lastly, we realized there was an opportunity to combine content from a separate page about professional volunteers and combined information and adding a professional volunteer application form.
🏆Challenges/Lessons Learned
I had a great time collaborating with various team members who were responsible for different aspects of the project. It was a true team effort to ensure that all areas seamlessly fit together. While I had open communication with the copywriter, the agency hadn't initially planned any internal meetings between the graphic designer and myself. However, recognizing the importance of maintaining cohesive design elements, I took the initiative and organized a meeting with the graphic designer. During this meeting, we delved into the different styles, usage, and pieces to create a unified brand and style guide. This guide encompassed brand styles for both print and digital applications, ensuring a smooth and consistent brand experience across all platforms.
