Web Design + Dev
NECCA Website
My goal was to create a website that better aligned with the recent brand updates I implemented. Prior to this project, the website was difficult to navigate and lacked a structure that adequately supported NECCA’s diverse range of programs and offerings.
The Project
In 2019, I undertook a full redesign and rebuild of the NECCA website, starting from the ground up with a new sitemap and information architecture. I managed both the design and development processes, creating a site that met our needs at launch and continues to grow with us over time.
Since its completion, I’ve personally maintained and updated the site to ensure it evolves alongside NECCA’s goals and remains a valuable resource for our community. Over the years, we’ve implemented several refreshes, with another planned for 2025, depending on budget availability.
The Solutions
The original NECCA site was minimal, with no cohesive branding, a basic layout, and a rainbow color palette that didn’t reflect our organization’s identity. The redesign focused on tackling three main challenges:
- Creating a responsive site and Incorporating the brand standards I developed to give the site a polished and professional look.
- Organizing our events and workshops to make them easy to find and register for.
- Expanding the site’s content to provide clear, accessible information about NECCA and how the community can support us.
1. Structure & Aligning with the Brand
The first step was organizing the site around our core offerings, prioritizing adult and youth programming, events, and key information about NECCA.
I kept the design simple and approachable by using brand-approved colors and typography, ensuring the layout was easy to navigate. I also created a mobile layout that improved usability greatly. All of this was completed while staying within budget and resource constraints. The result was a user-friendly structure that effectively showcases what NECCA has to offer.
2. Displaying Events
As a small circus school with numerous workshops, we needed an affordable and organized way to display our events without overwhelming users.
I utilized the theme’s blog function to display upcoming workshops and events, leveraging post categories to enable sorting features on the front end. This system allows users to filter and find specific workshops easily, streamlining the registration process and improving the overall user experience.
3. Spreading the Word
Another critical focus was expanding the site’s content to better tell NECCA’s story as a nonprofit organization. I added sections about our staff, history, and ways to donate, consolidating this information into a few digestible pages under one main menu.
This approach ensured the site remained navigable while providing a comprehensive view of NECCA’s mission and opportunities for community involvement.
The Result
The redesigned NECCA website has significantly improved functionality, branding, and user experience since its launch in 2019.
The enhanced structure makes it easy for users to navigate our offerings, find events, and engage with our organization. Custom solutions, like our event display categories, simplified workshop listings while staying within budget. The addition of pages about NECCA’s history, staff, and donation opportunities has helped foster community engagement and support.
Regular updates and refreshes have kept the site aligned with NECCA’s evolving needs, ensuring it remains an essential tool for promoting our programs and mission. A planned refresh in 2025 will continue this trajectory, provided the budget allows.
Email
Behance
LinkedIn