HOPE International

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HOPE International was non-profit with a growing support-base. This required a better communication platform. The existing website was not mobile-friendly and a separate mobile site had been developed as a stop-gap measure. This led to a variety of problems including mobile device users not being able to follow links from any email communication. At the same time the HOPE brand was evolving and the website needed a refresh.

I led the redesign initiative on the UX, Design and Front-end front. I created a CMS-friendly responsive CSS framework which allowed for rapid prototyping, but would also later allow content strategists and other marketing staff to easily lay out new content within the CMS without a real knowledge of HTML and CSS.

What we did:

Research:

I conducted a competitive analysis of non-profit websites including their design direction, content hierarchy, navigational structure and naming conventions. Subsequently I devised a new navigational structure and content hierarchy.

Front-End:

I created a mobile-first responsive CSS framework that is CMS-friendly and in conjunction with the visual design provided design patterns that could easily be reused and applied to a variey of layout needs by even non-developers.

Design:

HOPE International employed a very earthy, rustic and dark design prior to the refresh. This had been effective in focussing on the hard work the organization does working to alleviate poverty in some of the most difficult places on earth. Visually this seemed to focus more on the problem of poverty rather than the hope the organization stands for. A lighter, more hopeful look was needed without completely abandoning the earthiness that had become a recognized part of the brand identity.