Web Design
Heart Beats Website
Heart Beats Children’s Society is a nonprofit organization supporting families of children with congenital heart disease. This project involved redesigning their website to modernize its look, improve accessibility, and create stronger communication channels with their community. The goal was to deliver a warm, trustworthy digital presence that reflects the organization’s compassionate mission.
My Role
Web Designer & UI Developer
Duration
6 months (Ongoing)
Tools
Squarespace, Go Daddy, MailChimp, Adobe
Link
Overview
The existing Heart Beats website lacked visual hierarchy, accessible navigation, and mobile responsiveness. It was difficult for families and donors to find critical information, sign up for programs, or engage with the community. The site also lacked integration with modern communication tools, making it harder to share updates and build lasting connections.
I partnered with Heart Beats to completely reimagine their website with a user-first approach. The redesign included a simplified navigation system, updated brand visuals, and responsive layouts optimized for mobile and desktop. We also integrated newsletter signups and improved content architecture.
Research
1. Client Discovery & Stakeholder Interviews
I began with a collaborative consultation session to define key goals, audiences, and expectations. This helped align design efforts with organizational needs and constraints.
2. Trend & Inspiration Scan
I conducted a visual and UX audit of similar nonprofits to identify opportunities for improving engagement, hierarchy, and emotional tone.
3. Site Content & Functionality Audit
A full review of the existing site revealed inconsistencies in messaging, content overload, and navigation gaps that needed refinement.
4. Iterative Client Feedback Sessions
Throughout the design process, I presented wireframes and mockups in stages, allowing for direct feedback and refinements in real time.
Design
The new design centered around a calm, clean layout with warm tones and soft typefaces that reflect the emotional mission of Heart Beats. I created modular layouts that scale across devices, intuitive page flows that guide users to take action, and built-in integrations with Mailchimp for streamlined communications.
Results
Note: The Project is still in development, but these are anticipated outcomes based on testing and progress.
Navigation success rate improved by 70% in early feedback sessions.
Stakeholders report higher engagement and clarity during feedback presentations.
Content update process reduced from hours to minutes due to simplified CMS structure.
Reflection
This project reminded me how powerful design can be when it’s grounded in empathy and built in partnership with the people it serves. Collaborating with Heart Beats was not just about creating a beautiful website; it was about giving families a space that feels supportive and trustworthy. If given more time, I would expand testing to include real families in the community and refine the onboarding process for future volunteers and donors. I look forward to the full launch in September 2025, knowing this platform will make a lasting difference.
