Design Strategy & Execution:

• Discovery & Audit: Assessed the existing site covering layout, navigation, content hierarchy, and branding. Ran SEO audits, analytics reviews, and technical diagnostics including site load speed benchmarks.

• Client Alignment: Presented audit findings to the client stakeholder (Ryan Richards, Director of Workforce Development) and defined project scope, expectations, and deliverables collaboratively.

• Project Management Setup: Created and maintained a project board in Asana; educated client stakeholders on its use, enabling rapid design approvals and feedback cycles.

• Redesign & Rebuild: Rebuilt the site within the Avada Child Theme framework using custom CSS, revised layout structures, and new page templates for each of the 10 key pages.

• Content Restructuring: Reorganized navigation menus and page content to serve three distinct user groups: Employers, Job Seekers, and Students — with dedicated landing pages for each.

• Weekly Progress Reports: Maintained high-touch communication with a weekly retrospective-style progress report throughout the full project duration.

• Training & Handoff: Provided WordPress training sessions to the client team to ensure long-term content management independence post-launch.

Visual Assets:

The following pages are documented in the accompanying Before/After Comparison Slide Deck (Desktop, Version 2.1):

• 01_Home: Redesigned hero carousel; audience-selector CTAs (Employer / Job Seeker / Student); improved header navigation

• 02_Employers: Reorganized sub-navigation; cleaner content hierarchy replacing crowded icon-button row

• 03_Job Seekers: New "Connect with a Career Center" section; tabbed navigation replacing bottom button bar

• 04_Students & Training: Redesigned resource layout with imagery and clear section structure

• 05_Clusters: Replaced cluttered legacy layout with structured, scannable two-column content blocks

• 06_News: Implemented sidebar filter categories and events calendar; replaced full-width dark hero with cleaner header

• 07_Regional Data & Info: Featured "Alabama House Bill HB554" callout card; cleaner sub-navigation tabs

• 08_WIOA: Improved text hierarchy and on-page navigation; added Region 6 Local Area Plan quick-access link

• 09_About: Restructured with "Our Story" and "Who Is SEALWorks" sections; added Strategy Map asset

• 10_Contact: Redesigned with location/phone/email info cards, embedded Google Map, social links panel

Goals & Intent:

• Rebuild the site's information architecture for clarity and audience-specific navigation

• Redesign the visual UI to align with SEALWorks' professional brand identity

• Improve mobile responsiveness across device types

• Increase site performance (load speed, SEO health)

• Empower the client with WordPress management knowledge post-launch

• Deliver the project on time with transparent, Agile-informed communication

Skills Applied

• UX Design — Information architecture, user flow mapping, navigation redesign

• UI Design — Layout composition, visual hierarchy, brand-aligned styling

• Web Development — WordPress, Avada Child Theme customization, custom CSS, page builders

• Graphic Design — Banner imagery, icon styling, page-level visual assets

• SEO & Analytics — Audit, diagnostics, and performance optimization

• Project Management — Asana board setup, stakeholder alignment, scope definition

• Client Communication — Weekly reporting, Agile retrospectives, training sessions

• Technical Writing — Progress reports, scope documentation