Statewide Database
SWDB (Statewide Database) is a vital resource providing comprehensive access to California's election and census data. This platform is crucial for researchers, policymakers, and the general public who need accurate and up-to-date information.
I worked on the redesign of the SWDB website, focusing on a complete overhaul of the home page and revamping the data download experience. These improvements made the platform more intuitive, efficient, and accessible for users seeking public data.
Role
UX Designer
Duration
Jan - Dec 2023
Team
Heteng Li, Grace Thompson
Tools
Figma, After Effects
Homepage Redesign
Background
The previous SWDB homepage was outdated and presented significant usability challenges. Users often found it difficult to navigate due to poor readability, a lack of visual hierarchy, and overly complicated navigation. These design flaws made it challenging for users to locate essential information, resulting in an inefficient and frustrating experience.
Hero Section: Before
One of the first problems that emerged was the hero section. Initial testing reflected that users struggled with navigating and understanding its content.
Low Contrast
The hero section’s background image clashed with the hero text, causing poor contrast and making the text difficult to read.
Vague Language
The language used in the hero section was ambiguous, failing to clearly convey the site’s purpose and value to users.
Hero Section: After
To enhance the hero section for better readability, clarity, and navigability, we implemented the following solutions:
Improved Readability
We created a vector art background that is scalable and can dynamically change color, ensuring clear readability. Additionally, we adjusted the font size and color to enhance visibility.
Clear and Friendly Language
The copy was revised to be more direct, and friendlier, communicating the site’s purpose and benefits. Additionally, the title text was reformatted to a single line to enhance readability.