JNA...

Price Communications

Responsive Website Design

When Price Communications reached out needing an immediate website redesign, I was happy my schedule could accommodate. In less than four weeks, the South Florida-based communications company underwent a complete digital makeover. Their new look is mobile-friendly and has the “light and bright professional” aesthetic the CEO wanted to convey. The site allows for multiple account types and utilizes user-friendly backend controls, not only meeting the four-week deadline but also fulfilling all client expectations.

My Role: 
  • Apply Creative UX Design Philosophy
  • Utilize server-side and client-side languages
  • Create back-end GUI
  • Communicate with client
  • Coordinate and manage development team for upgrades in 2023
     
Date: 
AUG 2018 – SEP 2018
Project Goals: 
  • Transform the company’s digital identity by creating a mobile-friendly site that boasts a more “professional” aesthetic
  • Display the company’s logo, business information, and client services
  • Develop user-friendly backend editing controls
  • Complete project in less than four weeks
discovery

Company website in less than four weeks? Challenge accepted

The new CEO was not a fan of the company’s current website. With dreams of completely revamping the company’s online presence, she used an approaching server renewal date as her opportunity. Enticed by mobile-friendliness and backend controls allowing in-house changes, the board approved with only one stipulation. The new site needed to be live before the other expired…in four weeks!

Because the client had a clear image of what she wanted and my schedule could accommodate, I stepped up to the challenge. Knowing time was of the essence, I immediately asked for links to specific websites that matched her desired “light and bright professional” aesthetic. I requested company logo files and all photos she wanted to be included.

define & design

A failure to plan is a plan to fail

Understandably, with infinite possibilities and combinations, many clients need time to weigh their options. Luckily, Price Communication’s CEO was both open to suggestions and at ease making decisions at the moment. She clearly articulated the site’s required functionality and an aesthetic she referred to as “light and bright professional.”

I began by organizing the site’s content into pages, sections, and blocks. I drew sketches of the two main pages and mapped both photograph and text placement. I made wireframes and used the content provided by the client to select headlines and call-to-action phrases. I used the preferred color scheme and supplemented company photos with high-definition images from my digital catalog. The client, when given a sneak peek, was all smiles.

prototype & development

Detailed planning and thorough testing facilitate a quick build

I ensured the site’s functionality through the use of a prototype. The interactive visual included screens for the Services and Agents sections as well as a handful of backend controls. After review, my client approved my selected content fields and made final decisions regarding the system’s updating logistics. She also advocated for foregrounding user ease when making decisions regarding backend controls.  She was thrilled to give me approval to move to development.

I started by selecting my tech stack. A solid CMS is capable of heavy lifting, so I procured a Linux server and installed DRUPAL. I set up my content types, created various reusable blocks, and designed a custom theme. I structured user access levels and customized backend systems controls. I populated the pages with content and the front end came to life. I shifted my focus to portal and backend systems. I finalized the site’s backend UI and authored customized backend operation instructions for the site owner. Most importantly, I met the customer’s required deadline and made a great impression on the board.

evaluate

Do or do not there is no try

On occasion, a factor outside my control has stalled a project, so agreeing to an expedited timeline with a hard deadline is risky. Luckily, there were no outside complications and I was able to complete the project with time to spare. My detailed plans proved invaluable, reminding me to never discount the value of preparation.