Revamping Girlstart’s website to streamline navigation and efficiency
Revamping Girlstart’s website to streamline navigation and efficiency
Revamping Girlstart’s website to streamline navigation and efficiency
ROLE
ROLE
UX Design Intern
UX Design Intern
UX Design Intern
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
September - December 2024
(10 weeks)
September - December 2024
(10 weeks)
September - December 2024
(10 weeks)
MENTORS
MENTORS
Kyla Kalugdan
Sarah Guenther-Moore
Kyla Kalugdan
Sarah Guenther-Moore
Kyla Kalugdan
Sarah Guenther-Moore
METHODS
METHODS
User Research,
User Interviews,
Information Architecture,
Prototyping,
User Research,
User Interviews,
Information Architecture,
Prototyping,
User Research,
User Interviews,
Information Architecture,
Prototyping,
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Girlstart is a nonprofit organization empowering young girls in STEM
Girlstart is a nonprofit organization empowering young girls in STEM
Girlstart is a nonprofit organization empowering young girls in STEM
Guardians
Volunteers
Staff
Sponsors
Alumni
Young girls
In fall of 2024, I had the opportunity to independently redesign Girlstart’s website under the guidance of my supervisors. With decades-old designs in need of purposeful updates, the challenge was to address the needs of six main user groups with distinct needs. I focused on improving clarity through better organization and reducing user friction to meet the needs of Girlstart’s diverse user base.
In fall of 2024, I had the opportunity to independently redesign Girlstart’s website under the guidance of my supervisors. With decades-old designs in need of purposeful updates, the challenge was to address the needs of six main user groups with distinct needs. I focused on improving clarity through better organization and reducing user friction to meet the needs of Girlstart’s diverse user base.
In fall of 2024, I had the opportunity to independently redesign Girlstart’s website under the guidance of my supervisors. With decades-old designs in need of purposeful updates, the challenge was to address the needs of six main user groups with distinct needs. I focused on improving clarity through better organization and reducing user friction to meet the needs of Girlstart’s diverse user base.
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
Users have difficulty navigating through the website
Users have difficulty navigating through the website
Users have difficulty navigating through the website
Google surveys with 68 users helped me understand that users feel frustrated completing their desired task — taking longer than it should be.
Google surveys with 68 users helped me understand that users feel frustrated completing their desired task — taking longer than it should be.
Google surveys with 68 users helped me understand that users feel frustrated completing their desired task — taking longer than it should be.
20/68 users felt some pages were too cluttered and overall design looked outdated.
20/68 users felt some pages were too cluttered and overall design looked outdated.
20/68 users felt some pages were too cluttered and overall design looked outdated.
31/68 users disliked the website’s organization and struggled with information overload.
31/68 users disliked the website’s organization and struggled with information overload.
31/68 users disliked the website’s organization and struggled with information overload.
USER RESEARCH
USER RESEARCH
Digging deeper into user's frustrations with their interactions
Digging deeper into user's frustrations with their interactions
Digging deeper into user's frustrations with their interactions
I conducted five user interviews to uncover specific pain points within the website, which guided my design decisions and ensured they remained user-centered.
I conducted five user interviews to uncover specific pain points within the website, which guided my design decisions and ensured they remained user-centered.
I conducted five user interviews to uncover specific pain points within the website, which guided my design decisions and ensured they remained user-centered.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Rebuilding the organizational foundation for greater clarity
Rebuilding the organizational foundation for greater clarity
Rebuilding the organizational foundation for greater clarity
Based on my research insights, I began by redefining the website’s information architecture. I limited navigation to five main tabs as a rule of thumb and reorganized pages to create an intuitive structure.
Based on my research insights, I began by redefining the website’s information architecture. I limited navigation to five main tabs as a rule of thumb and reorganized pages to create an intuitive structure.
Based on my research insights, I began by redefining the website’s information architecture. I limited navigation to five main tabs as a rule of thumb and reorganized pages to create an intuitive structure.
USER TESTING & FEEDBACK
USER TESTING & FEEDBACK
Experimenting different routes and putting it to the test
Experimenting different routes and putting it to the test
Experimenting different routes and putting it to the test
After creating the first version of the information architecture, I noticed some pages could fall under multiple categories. To better understand user’s thought process, I ran user testing to see where users naturally looked first.
After creating the first version of the information architecture, I noticed some pages could fall under multiple categories. To better understand user’s thought process, I ran user testing to see where users naturally looked first.
After creating the first version of the information architecture, I noticed some pages could fall under multiple categories. To better understand user’s thought process, I ran user testing to see where users naturally looked first.
Users prefer volunteer page in join us tab
Users prefer volunteer page in join us tab
Users prefer alumni page in about us tab
Users prefer alumni page in about us tab
Users prefer employment page in join us tab
Users prefer employment page in join us tab
Users struggled to find the support page
Users struggled to find the support page
What did I learn from 4 user testing sessions? The power of feedback.
What did I learn from 4 user testing sessions? The power of feedback.
What did I learn from 4 user testing sessions? The power of feedback.
The best way to clear up uncertainty is by going straight to the users. Watching how users navigated not only helped me finalize the placement of those tricky pages, but also revealed critique I hadn’t considered. Here’s what I learned:
The best way to clear up uncertainty is by going straight to the users. Watching how users navigated not only helped me finalize the placement of those tricky pages, but also revealed critique I hadn’t considered. Here’s what I learned:
The best way to clear up uncertainty is by going straight to the users. Watching how users navigated not only helped me finalize the placement of those tricky pages, but also revealed critique I hadn’t considered. Here’s what I learned:
Keep in mind best practices from other nonprofit websites
Keep in mind best practices from other nonprofit websites
Keep in mind best practices from other nonprofit websites
I experimented converting the donate button into a combined support page. However, users preferred keeping it as a dedicated donate button because of its familiarity.
I experimented converting the donate button into a combined support page. However, users preferred keeping it as a dedicated donate button because of its familiarity.
I experimented converting the donate button into a combined support page. However, users preferred keeping it as a dedicated donate button because of its familiarity.
Homepage needs to tell a story
Homepage needs to tell a story
Homepage needs to tell a story
The homepage should meaningfully explain what Girlstart does before asking to “Donate.” Information about the organization was hidden in other pages, making the homepage feel disconnected.
The homepage should meaningfully explain what Girlstart does before asking to “Donate.” Information about the organization was hidden in other pages, making the homepage feel disconnected.
The homepage should meaningfully explain what Girlstart does before asking to “Donate.” Information about the organization was hidden in other pages, making the homepage feel disconnected.
FINAL DESIGNS
FINAL DESIGNS
Designing a smoother experience so users can find what they need, faster
Designing a smoother experience so users can find what they need, faster
Designing a smoother experience so users can find what they need, faster
Homepage with purpose
Homepage with purpose
Homepage with purpose
Understand where your support goes and why it matters
Understand where your support goes and why it matters
Enhanced navigation bar
Enhanced navigation bar
Enhanced navigation bar
Simplified for straightforward access
Simplified for straightforward access
Footer with purpose
Footer with purpose
Footer with purpose
Improved access points
Improved access points
New information architecture
New information architecture
New information architecture
Revised after user feedback
Revised after user feedback
TAKEAWAYS
TAKEAWAYS
Set a realistic scope 🙅♀️
Set a realistic scope 🙅♀️
Set a realistic scope 🙅♀️
In the beginning I was given full freedom to improve Girlstart’s website however I deemed fit. I wanted to redesign the entire website but quickly realized the scope was much larger than I anticipated. Through user research, I discovered that the website’s foundations needed to be rebuilt first and ended up sacrificing more time to do so. Although I produced a strong starting point with the information architecture, navigation bar, and footer, I wasn’t able to redesign the full website within the 10 week timeline, and even the homepage left me wanting to do more.
I learned the importance of setting realistic goals for myself and my team. It’s better to set expectations that you know you’ll be able to meet early on than falling short later. With more time, I would have created a clearer roadmap to better balance ambition with feasibility.
In the beginning I was given full freedom to improve Girlstart’s website however I deemed fit. I wanted to redesign the entire website but quickly realized the scope was much larger than I anticipated. Through user research, I discovered that the website’s foundations needed to be rebuilt first and ended up sacrificing more time to do so. Although I produced a strong starting point with the information architecture, navigation bar, and footer, I wasn’t able to redesign the full website within the 10 week timeline, and even the homepage left me wanting to do more.
I learned the importance of setting realistic goals for myself and my team. It’s better to set expectations that you know you’ll be able to meet early on than falling short later. With more time, I would have created a clearer roadmap to better balance ambition with feasibility.
In the beginning I was given full freedom to improve Girlstart’s website however I deemed fit. I wanted to redesign the entire website but quickly realized the scope was much larger than I anticipated. Through user research, I discovered that the website’s foundations needed to be rebuilt first and ended up sacrificing more time to do so. Although I produced a strong starting point with the information architecture, navigation bar, and footer, I wasn’t able to redesign the full website within the 10 week timeline, and even the homepage left me wanting to do more.
I learned the importance of setting realistic goals for myself and my team. It’s better to set expectations that you know you’ll be able to meet early on than falling short later. With more time, I would have created a clearer roadmap to better balance ambition with feasibility.
Shoutout to my mentors! ⋆｡°✩
Shoutout to my mentors! ⋆｡°✩
Thank you to Sarah Guenther-Moore and Kyla Kalugdan for being amazing mentors and showing me what it means to be a self-leader! My work isn’t perfect but is filled with priceless lessons that have allowed me to grow as a designer. Please check out Girlstart and support the cool work they do in their community!
Thank you to Sarah Guenther-Moore and Kyla Kalugdan for being amazing mentors and showing me what it means to be a self-leader! My work isn’t perfect but is filled with priceless lessons that have allowed me to grow as a designer. Please check out Girlstart and support the cool work they do in their community!
Thank you to Sarah Guenther-Moore and Kyla Kalugdan for being amazing mentors and showing me what it means to be a self-leader! My work isn’t perfect but is filled with priceless lessons that have allowed me to grow as a designer. Please check out Girlstart and support the cool work they do in their community!
Like what you see? Check out more of my work :)
Like what you see? Check out more of my work :)
