A World For Children
AWFC is a foster care agency serving 12 cities across Texas. In addition to providing foster care services, AWFC offers a comprehensive training and licensing program for individuals interested in becoming foster parents. The agency also collaborates with its sister organization, which specializes in adoption services.
Project Outline
Problem
The AWFC website is difficult to navigate and does not convey a professional or trustworthy image. As a result, potential foster parents may struggle to find the information they need, leading to missed opportunities for engagement.
Goal
Redesign the AWFC website to improve readability, navigation, and overall user experience. By creating a more accessible and professional online presence, the agency can increase foster parent sign-ups, ultimately helping more children in need.
Deliverables
Angel Franco
Adam Leon
Method
Time
UX/UI Design Thinking
4 weeks
Hi-Fidelity Prototype
Team Members
Lauren Dunn
Daniel Huerta
Ryan Wells
Josephine Marsala
Revitalizing AWFC’s Digital Experience
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." — Steve Jobs
Our team was tasked with this project over a four-week period, with the final deliverables including a high-fidelity mobile prototype and a presentation detailing our design process. The primary objective was to identify a nonprofit organization's website that violated multiple usability heuristics and redesign it using the Design Thinking process. By enhancing the usability and visual appeal of the AWFC website, we aimed to improve the organization's ability to attract and retain potential foster parents, thereby strengthening its overall impact and operational success.
“Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.”
— John F. Kennedy
“Usability does not only mean ‘easy to use,’ but also ‘easy to understand and navigate.”
— Jakob Nielsen
Design Thinking
Phase 1: Empathize
From Search to Signup: The AWFC Website Experience
To understand where the AWFC website falls short, we analyzed the user journey of a typical visitor. Our research indicated that most visitors are individuals actively seeking information on becoming a foster parent. They typically find AWFC through online searches and proceed to explore the website for guidance on the licensing process. However, due to poor navigation and readability, the existing site creates unnecessary friction in this journey.
Design Thinking
Phase 2: Define
Information Architecture
Based on our findings, we developed a visual representation of the website’s information architecture. This process helped us map out key content areas and ensure that our redesign included all necessary components while eliminating unnecessary complexity.
Establishing AWFC’s Visual Identity
To maintain consistency throughout the redesign, we established a style guide. The new design retains elements of AWFC’s existing branding while simplifying and modernizing the aesthetic. For instance, the logo was refined by reducing the number of colored hands, creating a cleaner and more professional look.
A Comprehensive Review of AWFC’s Digital Content
We conducted a thorough content inventory of AWFC’s existing website using a collaborative Google Sheet. This allowed us to systematically evaluate which sections needed revision, removal, or restructuring to enhance clarity and usability.
Usability Issues in AWFC’s Website: A Closer Look
Before the redesign, the AWFC website suffered from several usability issues, including confusing navigation, an outdated layout, and a color scheme that failed to establish a welcoming or professional atmosphere. Key usability heuristics, such as consistency, visibility of system status, and error prevention, were not adequately addressed.
Design Thinking
Phase 3: Ideate
Rebuilding AWFC’s Website for a Modern User Experience
Our redesign aimed to modernize the AWFC website, transitioning it from an outdated, early-2000s aesthetic to a clean, contemporary design aligned with modern usability standards. The focus was on intuitive navigation, structured content, and a professional yet approachable look.
Design Thinking
Phase 4: Prototype
A Fresh, Engaging Look for AWFC’s Website
For the final design, we carefully selected a color palette that was brighter and more inviting, reinforcing a sense of warmth and trust. The previous design felt cold and unengaging, so our goal was to create an atmosphere that resonates with visitors and encourages them to take action.