Council for Thriving Children
The New Hampshire-based Council for Thriving Children had just restarted their work following a leadership change, and was ready for a new website to match. The website needed to convey who they are and what they do, and provide key resources for a few specific audiences. More than anything, it served as their reintroduction to the child welfare space, a place to express the simple message that guides the work: a child’s wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility.
My Role
UX Research
As the UX Researcher on this project, I interviewed new Council members to understand what they wanted to see on the new website, and who the website was for. This work was conducted through interviews and a collaborative workshop with key leaders of the Council.
UX Strategy
I led UX Strategy for this project, which included creating the site map and wireframes. Because this was the Council’s first website, I worked with their internal team to guide them on content that needed to be developed in order to reach their goals for the website.
The Approach
Role at this phase: Researcher
Skills: Interviews, collaborative workshop
The Council for Thriving Children sit in an interesting space: they are not a nonprofit, and not a government organization, though they do function in a policy space. Their priorities for the new website were to make this distinction clear, while providing key resources needed for families and childcare providers visiting the site. They also wanted to make sure that the new website focused on the positive side of child welfare: their work was impactful, and moving the needle in New Hampshire.
The Process
Role at this phase: Strategist
Skills: Site map, wireframes
The strategy for the new website focused on a simple navigation. Storytelling elements, such as quotes and case studies paired neatly with resource links and impact figures. An index was included that allowed Council members to view upcoming and past meetings and download meeting minutes and agendas. While working with the designer, we focused on a light color palette to create a sense of warmth and friendliness.
The Council's website needed a simple drop down navigation to organize their pages.
The homepage layout prioritized images, quotes, and case studies to demonstrate their work to potential audiences.
The visual design stayed true to the wires and brought a light, welcoming feel to the site.
The Outcome
Role at this phase: Strategist
Skills: QA, presentation to Council and external members
The new website launched successfully earlier this year. It has provided a central location where the Council can promote their work and access meeting agendas and minutes, and families and providers in New Hampshire can learn about the impact of the Council and have access to key resources.
This project was supported by:
Designer
Developer
Project Manager
Copywriter