Redesigning a platform to increase user retention

Challenges

Users struggled to complete basic core actions for the platform, and colors failed accessibility standards, creating usability and compliance concerns. Our challenge was to simplify key flows and create a playful yet accessible design.

Understanding the Users

To learn what families truly needed, I surveyed 15 parents and caregivers navigating disability and autism resources. Their input shaped how flows and priorities were redesigned.

Defining the website

Although there is an existing site, it was necessary to do an overflow for the mapping of the screens. With the updated site map, I was able to show the overall structure and organization of my application. This was highly beneficial to both the client and developers to understand the functionality of the product.

Iterating Solutions

The main components to focus on were simplifying navigation, creating a reusable component system, and ensuring colors and typography met accessibility standards while staying true to TCP's brand personality. A large constraint in this phase, as well as through a lot of the design implementation, was the restricted search feature that required users to select keywords instead of typing them in. This impeded user experience and would later be rectified in later developments.

Accessibility updates

The accessibility updates proved to be an immense undertaking, as it required careful consideration of all existing marketing materials, emails, and other assets. The scope of the task involved ensuring that the new colors not only addressed accessibility concerns but also seamlessly integrated across their entire range of materials.

Through this collaborative process, the client and I worked together to refine the palette and found an outcome that exceeded the client's expectations.

Prototype

The redesign focused on clarity and trust rather, creating a tool that families could navigate with confidence. Every decision centered on improving usability and accessibility to ensure the experience felt intuitive, reliable, and supportive.

Reflection

Designing this app held a deep personal significance for me because my brother-in-law has a disability in which he requires comprehensive support in his daily life. Because of this, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and obstacles involved in accessing disability resources, particularly for adults. This drove my passion to assist the client in enhancing their existing website to better serve users.

Embarking on this project, I found great excitement in my client's enthusiastic approach. It became clear to me that prioritizing the user's needs and ensuring the brand's identity aligned with its function were of utmost importance. Throughout the process, there were numerous obstacles, such as determining the right colors for the brand, which required multiple discussions with the client. However, the end result is a design that is inclusive and user-friendly, and it fills me with pride.

Looking ahead, the design has the potential to expand as additional features, including a social platform, are incorporated into the website. I am eager to further refine and develop these ideas, building upon the foundation we have laid he final design of The Connected Parent platform offers an enhanced user experience, improved accessibility, and a refined visual identity. This project reinforced the importance of user-centered design principles in creating impactful digital solutions.