Lead UX/UI Designer + Project Manager
Background Context
I led the redesign of the STARTALK website, a language-learning initiative funded by the National Security Agency. The existing site lacked intuitive navigation, and the client wanted a modern, accessible design that would enhance user engagement. My role focused on creating a user-friendly interface and improving the information architecture to better serve educators and students.
Timeline
February 2021
9.5 weeks
Team
Research + support
Skills
Strategy
Design + Restructure
Information Architecture
Collaboration
Subject Matter
Higher Education
Library Resource
Database
Toolkit
Adobe XD
The Big
How do I decipher pre, pandemic, and post-covid data on past website behavior to predict future needs and behaviors; while increasing awareness and navigation?
Main Story
2015-2017
About
A federal grant program managed and funded by the National Security Agency
The NFLC goal as an agency is to increase the number of U.S. citizens learning, speaking, and teaching critical-need foreign languages, with programs for students and teachers. This is a nation wide project spanning across all states.
Any program associated with the languages STARTALK focuses on is listed on this website. Filtering options included: state and language, age/grade (k-16), type of program - includes summer programs too.
NFLC’s ultimate want was to create a library of libraries. With 3 main types of users (educator, administers, participants) the solution was to make a site that filtered all the wants of these users, who didn’t always know what they needed, or what they were looking for when they got to the site. We looked at the google analytics data and found a pattern in usage that aligned with their program cycle.
Challenges
With all the planning committee does to keep this program afloat, they have limited internal resources to help their users who are struggling to find information they need on a cluttered, out-of-date interface.
The government can adjust the sponsored languages in the grant at any time. This messaging is critical to users, but nonexistent.
Solution
Make a language research library that reflects the program cycle with evolving information synced to the academic calendar. Give users access to the resources they need during the time of year they visit the site, while also educating new users about Startalk as a whole grant funded by the National Security Agency.
The current logo is confusing and has too many colors. A simplified logo helps users pronounce the program as "Start Talk" as in start talking - the tagline - instead of "Star Talk" which is a science podcast by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Initial product images
Project Photos
for business