Embrella

Project Summary

Timeline 1 year

Role UX Design, UX Strategy

Team 1 Design Director
1 UX Designer

How might improve the application process for foster care programs?

I was tasked to research and re-design embrella’s website. Embrella is a non-profit organization funded by the State of New Jersey, and its mission is to train foster parents.

Outcome

  • Improved application and donation flow process

  • Created a centralized location for all foster care programs

PROBLEM

Foster care resources are currently difficult to navigate

Currently, there is not a single point of reference for foster care parents to see all foster care programs available that the organization provides.

SOLUTION

Re-designing the foster care programs page for all-in-one access

I re-designed the Foster Care Program webpage so that it shows all available programs in an navigable, accessible manner which allowed clearer visibility to application and donation paths. 

LEADING WITH RESEARCH

Conducting Think Aloud Usability Tests

I conducted think aloud sessions with 3 aspiring parents

Make options comparable

01

Users wanted to be able to see all the different foster care programs in a single place

Make CTA’s accessible

02

Accessibility contrast check wasn’t meeting the minimum AA standard. The formatting of the webpage needed to be clearer and more accessible to applicants and donors.

Make navigation easier

03

Users were having trouble clicking through the navigation bar, as semantics and labeling weren’t mapping to the content they were seeing.

DESIGN

Wireframes

Once we aligned on a story-driven app, we crafted low fidelity wireframes with no color to focus on the interaction and usefulness of information to parents.

Usability Testing

I conducted 2 rounds of usability testing with 3 aspiring parents, and they found that the second wireframe was easier to navigate.

Before Redesign

The final designs consisted of the landing page with the playtime summary and recommended stories, the ability to search for stories by learning category, and the ability to shop for toys that are recommended in the stories

After Redesign

OUTCOME

We improved the time it took for people to complete applications and donate to the organization.

Improved Application Flow

2 min saved

Improved Donation Flow

1 min saved

REFLECTION

There is great need for thoughtful design

  • Sometimes all you need are simple, cost effective solutions that help people get what they need in their daily lives.

  • It’s important to align our design goals with what people need when it comes to financial and educational resources.