Objective
Our objective for the website project was to create a user friendly, well organized and extremely optimized website that can be used as a hub for both those involved in the project and users seeking information on it for the first time.
Our intent was to create a narrative on the homepage that showcased statistics on hate crimes, gave quick information on how to gain more information and ultimately offered users the opportunity to get involved, get in touch or report hate crimes.
Strategy & Approach
The first step in achieving our objectives was to create a sitemap of the navigation and an architecture of how all the content would interact. Using design software, we laid out the navigation, architecture and wireframes before then creating a design. Our initial approach was also to create the architecture for all the resources, ensuring that it would be easy to use with the ability to search for important items. We split up “Resources” and “Learning Center” into two separate sections, deciding that resources would be more of a list of information and a learning center implied more robust items such as downloadable documents and videos. We wanted the homepage to be hopeful and inviting, with subtle animation and an emphasis on speed.
Implementation
After initial discovery meetings and timeline assessments, we provided a proposed sitemap (navigation layout), architecture (how the content linked and interacted), wireframes (a skeleton of the designed pages), four web page designs, templated content documents so content could be easily provided and edited, and ultimately a fully functioning website that first existed on a development link. Before taking the website live we were able to provide it for client review, implement edits and content updates before performing QA testing.
Website was tested on all screen sizes and browsers, before going live after final approval. After the site was live, Uptown developers provided a WordPress training to their team via Zoom showing them how to navigate the back end and make minor modifications and edits. The video of the training was also provided so it can be referenced when needed.
Conclusion
The City of Davis and their affiliates were pleased with the outcome of their site, as well as the time and ease of the project overall. Completed in just under three months, the Hate-Free Together website is hosted on the Uptown server and remains under our monthly management. We were happy to support their initiative and create something valuable and helpful for the community at large.
