Case Study : Website Interface Design

Client: U.S. Representative Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

Category: Government | Political

Website: maloney.house.gov

Description: U.S. Congressional website for Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-New York)

Challenge

Shifting user needs, outdated technology, unintuitive information architecture and cluttered design demanded a revolutionary redesign of the Congresswoman's website. Congresswoman Maloney tapped Barbara Lynn to develop the new site's strategy, information architecture, visual design and ensure the project met all specifications.

"I trust you to get it right", she said.

Results

Press Release: Website wins 'Gold Mouse Award', Top Prize for Congressional Sites

Considered one of the best sites on “The Hill”, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney was presented with the prestigious GOLD MOUSE AWARD for the first time when the new site launched at the end of 2006. The Congressional Management Foundation, the body that presented the award, states:

"While the sheer volume of information on this site could be overwhelming, the UNCLUTTERED SITE DESIGN, it's INNOVATIVE LAYOUT and INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE makes it thoroughly usable."

Successful in creating a virtual office and providing targeted information for specific audiences used to having their needs met online.

Intuitive interface design and innovative information finding methodologies makes it easy to locate information and related documents of all kinds online.

Flexible, State-of-the-art Content Management System saves time and increases productivity. It enables Congressional Administrative Staff members to track, sort, filter, organize and update content online as well as maintain a professional, consistent look and feel across the entire site. The site garnered the Gold Mouse Award once again in 2007 after staff added a few new features such as interactivity to the district map and video content and once again in 2009, a testament to the success of the project in meeting ease of "content management" requirements.

Innovative, creative features enhance visitors’ experiences on the site by making it more interesting and easier to use including: Open Source based Development Platform and Content Management System (CMS), Flag Order Form that calculates total price based on quantity and type of flag ordered, interactive tools, different information finding methodologies, improved constituent correspondence and management and attractive graphics.

The Work

Through our research, we discovered that constituents could not easily find information and that Congressional Administrative staff were frustrated by the inability to manage content efficiently.

Work closely with congressional administrative staff to identify organizational challenges and goals as well as constituent needs.

Craft high level needs analysis and RFP. Interview and select a Technical Development Team based on project criteria and experience working within the specified "Technical Platform" and "Capitol Hill Framework".

Craft interaction design models and visual prototypes to encourage user interaction with the Congresswoman; make finding, searching and organizing a library of informational content and related documents and media of all types online a breeze. Information architecture flow charts were fine tuned in collaborative working sections with Congressional Staff and Technical Development Team.

Create an aesthetically beautiful website with an easy to use, intuitive user interface design.

Ensure project met all specifications at every step of the way. Site testing and quality control.

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