Kaye's World
Kaye Kagaoan | Senior UX Designer
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Helping Other People (HOPe)

Rescuing a non-profit website from the Web 1.0 age (Responsive Web, 2018)

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Brief

Helping Other People (HOPe) is a New York and New Jersey-based non-profit that has worked on a number of projects in developing countries for over 18 years. Unfortunately, it seemed as if their website hadn’t been updated in 18 years.

One of HOPe’s board members reached out to me about redesigning their website for the appropriate decade. This meant more than updating layouts, photos, and text. I had to completely redo the website from the ground up, overhauling the information architecture to simplify navigation and the donation process.

 

Client

HOPe (hope-charity.org)

Point of Contact: Maura Kelly

Responsibilities

Web Design, Information Architecture

TOOLS

Squarespace, Photoshop, Illustrator, GoDaddy, Google Docs

 
The HOPe website as of April 2018. Images courtesy of Wayback Machine.

The HOPe website as of April 2018. Images courtesy of Wayback Machine.

The Problem

When I first saw HOPe’s website in Spring 2018, it looked like it had been designed using a Wordpress theme gone haywire. Right-aligned page titles and left-aligned body text were set against a pair of mismatched images of clouds. Photos were small, and extremely low-resolution. Navigational links were out of order, misplaced, and/or led to blank or incomplete pages.

HOPe has done great work around the world for nearly two decades. They deserved a website that reflects their values and continued efforts to help areas that need it most.

 

Methodology

  • Research & Comparative Analysis

  • Content Inventory & Audit

  • Site Mapping

  • Image Sourcing

  • Sketching & Wireframes

  • Copy Writing & Editing

  • Squarespace Build

  • Domain Transfer

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Project Goals

 
 

For the Client

Improve visual appearance
Establish credibility
Promote events
Encourage PayPal donations

For Visitors

Easily navigate website
Learn about the organization’s projects
RSVP to upcoming events
Donate without friction

 
 
 

Constraints

 
 

Original Sitemap

Disorderly content, chaotic hierarchy, unclear call to action.

Revised Sitemap

Emphasis on impact and prominent “Donate” buttons.

 
 

Impact

This project has had a positive overall impact on HOPe’s overall engagement and fundraising. When I requested photos for the About page, the HOPe board took their first set of team headshots since the organization was founded!

Based on site analytics, the HOPe charity website has experienced:

  • Increased newsletter signups

  • Increased event RSVPs

  • Increased donations via PayPal

 
 
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