Government website UI designs

Crafting Beautiful and Functional Websites

Communities around the U.S. come to revize with any number of needs and issues. Some have 100+ pages that need reorganizing, others have a website that (I kid you not) is from the 80s. My part in aiding these communities is by creating visual design and content.

Step One: Initial Meeting

Meeting with the client opens up a valuable conversation about the type of content they’d like to feature on key pages and helps us align on a design style that brings their vision to life. Every community comes with its own unique considerations, whether it’s specific content needs, timeline constraints, or how often the site will be updated.

While I’m always ready to share my expertise and recommendations, I also recognize that no one understands their community better than they do. That shared knowledge is what makes collaboration so important during these early meetings. By working together, we’re able to create a solution that not only looks great but genuinely serves their needs.

Step Two: Designing Their Website

Once the foundation is set, I move into the design phase, where I create high-fidelity mockups that bring the vision to life. My goal is to make the design visually appealing, user-friendly, and in line with the client's brand and objectives.

While aligning with the client’s preferences and goals, I also stay true to my core values of WCAG compliance and a strong user experience. A website can look fantastic, but it has little purpose if it’s not accessible or if users struggle to find what they need. That’s why my design style leans toward clean, minimal layouts with careful attention to details like spacing, which makes for a smooth and intuitive user flow.

Step Three: Feedback and Updates

After we send the client their initial mockup, the next step is to open the conversation and let them review it. We go over design, layout, and content to ensure everything aligns with their vision and make adjustments where needed.

Thankfully, clients typically trust my approach and don’t request too many changes, though I’ve definitely had my fair share of challenges along the way. We continue refining the design through this back-and-forth process until the client is completely satisfied. Once they approve, we move forward to the development stage.

Step Four: Development Hand-Off

Preparing the mockup for development involves three key steps: creating an asset folder, establishing a style guide, and documenting important UI function. These steps shorten the time spent in development and enables the creation of a website that's consistent with the mockup.

From there, my role is close to complete but no less important. Throughout the project, I regularly review the design to ensure it stays true to the mockup. If any inconsistencies arise, I collaborate with the lead developer to resolve them.

Lessons Learned

• Working with a client is all about collaboration - finding the right balance between their vision and my expertise to create the best possible website, while ensuring it follows best practices.
• Accessibility is a foundational part of a website so users can effectively navigate through content.
• Understanding the type, volume, and structure of content helps shape designs that are scalable and organized.

What Would I do Different?

• While the website's are initially accessible, many client don't know/follow certain ADA guidelines. I'd like to incorporate some guidance on keeping content updates accessible long-term.
• We don’t often include mobile mockups, which can be a challenge when clients want to see more than just desktop view. As I’ve learned more in Figma, I've realized how simple adding mobile view can be and is something I’m aiming to incorporate in the near future.

Hard & Soft Skills

• Figma (Prototyping, Components, and Styles)
• UI Design
• Accessibility Standards
• Project Management
• Attention to Detail
• Stakeholder Discussions