ASSETS Conference Redesign
ASSETS Conference Redesign
ASSETS Conference Redesign
Duration
Oct 2023 - Nov 2024
Stakeholders
ACM SIGACCESS
David Flatla
Faustina Hwang
Team
Suraj Goraya, Developer
Jaipreet Singh, Developer
My Role
I lead the research and user experience design for the ASSETS conference website. I collaborated with Suraj and Jaipreet on brand identity and development handoff. I created mobile, tablet, and desktop interfaces and design components based on research findings that supported our goals of accessibility, discoverability, and navigability, while preserving ASSETS core essence of accessibility, technology, and play.
Skills
UI/UX Design
UX Research
Brand Identity
Accessible Design
Modular Design
Tools
Figma
Google Suite
Github
Duration
Oct 2023 - Nov 2024
Stakeholders
ACM SIGACCESS
David Flatla
Faustina Hwang
Team
Suraj Goraya, Developer
Jaipreet Singh, Developer
My Role
I lead the research and user experience design for the ASSETS conference website. I collaborated with Suraj and Jaipreet on brand identity and development handoff. I created mobile, tablet, and desktop interfaces and design components based on research findings that supported our goals of accessibility, discoverability, and navigability, while preserving ASSETS core essence of accessibility, technology, and play.
Skills
UI/UX Design
UX Research
Brand Identity
Accessible Design
Modular Design
Tools
Figma
Google Suite
Github
Duration
Oct 2023 - Nov 2024
Stakeholders
ACM SIGACCESS
David Flatla
Faustina Hwang
Team
Suraj Goraya
Jaipreet Singh
My Role
I lead the research and user experience design for the ASSETS conference website. I collaborated with Suraj and Jaipreet on brand identity and development handoff. I created mobile, tablet, and desktop interfaces and design components based on research findings that supported our goals of accessibility, discoverability, and navigability, while preserving ASSETS core essence of accessibility, technology, and play.
Skills
UI/UX Design
UX Research
Brand Identity
Accessible Design
Modular Design
Tools
Figma
Google Suite
Github
Overview
Overview
Overview
About Assets
DESCRIPTION
ACM SIGACCESS is an interdisciplinary group of professionals who develop technologies for people with disabilities. The annual ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility allows authors to make contributions which are peer-reviewed and archived in the ACM Digital Library. If selected, authors can travel to the conference to present their work and engage with the community to share insights, foster collaboration, and advance accessibility research.
About Assets
DESCRIPTION
ACM SIGACCESS is an interdisciplinary group of professionals who develop technologies for people with disabilities. The annual ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility allows authors to make contributions which are peer-reviewed and archived in the ACM Digital Library. If selected, authors can travel to the conference to present their work and engage with the community to share insights, foster collaboration, and advance accessibility research.
Design Goals
DESCRIPTION
The ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility brings together academics, industry researchers, policymakers, end users, students, and vendors interested in accessibility to collaborate and engage with a community of like-minded individuals. Our design vision aligns with the mission of ASSETS, aiming to create a digital space where these diverse stakeholders can easily navigate and access relevant information while showcasing the conference venue.
Design Goals
DESCRIPTION
The ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility brings together academics, industry researchers, policymakers, end users, students, and vendors interested in accessibility to collaborate and engage with a community of like-minded individuals. Our design vision aligns with the mission of ASSETS, aiming to create a digital space where these diverse stakeholders can easily navigate and access relevant information while showcasing the conference venue.
Solution
Make a conference website which prioritizes accessibility, discoverability and navigation while reflecting the local charm of the venue.
Make a conference website which prioritizes accessibility, discoverability and navigation while reflecting the local charm of the venue.
Make a conference website which prioritizes accessibility, discoverability and navigation while reflecting the local charm of the venue.
Context
Context
Context
Problem
DESCRIPTION
The ASSETS conference is organized by 18 sub-committees which need to come together to create a cohesive conference experience, but there are significant web communication challenges. Coordinating across this large, distributed team creates bottlenecks in publishing timely updates, with each stakeholder requiring separate coordination and content verification processes. These inefficiencies directly impact attendees' decision-making regarding travel, accommodations, and participation, while compromising the website's accessibility standards and overall effectiveness in serving its audience before, during, and after the conference.
Problem
DESCRIPTION
The ASSETS conference is organized by 18 sub-committees which need to come together to create a cohesive conference experience, but there are significant web communication challenges. Coordinating across this large, distributed team creates bottlenecks in publishing timely updates, with each stakeholder requiring separate coordination and content verification processes. These inefficiencies directly impact attendees' decision-making regarding travel, accommodations, and participation, while compromising the website's accessibility standards and overall effectiveness in serving its audience before, during, and after the conference.
Opportunity
DESCRIPTION
By developing an accessibility-first framework and establishing core ui elements early in the process, we can create a flexible system that accommodates gradual content updates while maintaining transparency for attendees. This approach would not only improve the user experience by providing reliable, timely information, but also serve as a model for accessible design that aligns with the ASSETS conference mission.
Opportunity
DESCRIPTION
By developing an accessibility-first framework and establishing core ui elements early in the process, we can create a flexible system that accommodates gradual content updates while maintaining transparency for attendees. This approach would not only improve the user experience by providing reliable, timely information, but also serve as a model for accessible design that aligns with the ASSETS conference mission.
Challenge
How might we create a web platform that coordinates the collaborative efforts of 18 sub-committees while delivering timely, accessible information to ASSETS conference attendees?
Challenge
How might we create a web platform that coordinates the collaborative efforts of 18 sub-committees while delivering timely, accessible information to ASSETS conference attendees?
Challenge
How might we create a web platform that coordinates the collaborative efforts of 18 sub-committees while delivering timely, accessible information to ASSETS conference attendees?
Research
Research
Research
Building on the Past to Shape 2024
DESCRIPTION
Studying previous ASSETS websites revealed what worked, what didn’t, and where the experience could grow. By identifying familiar patterns, gaps, and opportunities, I shaped a 2024 redesign that feels both intuitive and refreshingly modern.
Building on the Past to Shape 2024
DESCRIPTION
Studying previous ASSETS websites revealed what worked, what didn’t, and where the experience could grow. By identifying familiar patterns, gaps, and opportunities, I shaped a 2024 redesign that feels both intuitive and refreshingly modern.
Even with a familiar structure, it became clear that attendees represent distinct user groups, each with their own priorities and expectations. Understanding these differences revealed where the site could better support users while bringing the conference’s energy and personality to life.
Even with a familiar structure, it became clear that attendees represent distinct user groups, each with their own priorities and expectations. Understanding these differences revealed where the site could better support users while bringing the conference’s energy and personality to life.
Even with a familiar structure, it became clear that attendees represent distinct user groups, each with their own priorities and expectations. Understanding these differences revealed where the site could better support users while bringing the conference’s energy and personality to life.
Discovery
Discovery
Every stakeholder looks for something different, yet the site tells only one story.
Every stakeholder looks for something different, yet the site tells only one story.
Insights from Attendees
DESCRIPTION
I interviewed five attendees to learn about their expectations, frustrations, and accessibility needs. Balancing everyone’s vision was challenging, so I focused on maintaining familiarity while improving navigation speed, visual cues, and overall usability.
From these conversations, I developed personas to represent distinct goals and guide the team toward a unified direction. Organizers and sponsors were excluded as they fell outside our primary audience.
Insights from Attendees
DESCRIPTION
I interviewed five attendees to learn about their expectations, frustrations, and accessibility needs. Balancing everyone’s vision was challenging, so I focused on maintaining familiarity while improving navigation speed, visual cues, and overall usability.
From these conversations, I developed personas to represent distinct goals and guide the team toward a unified direction. Organizers and sponsors were excluded as they fell outside our primary audience.
Insights from Attendees
DESCRIPTION
I interviewed five attendees to learn about their expectations, frustrations, and accessibility needs. Balancing everyone’s vision was challenging, so I focused on maintaining familiarity while improving navigation speed, visual cues, and overall usability.
From these conversations, I developed personas to represent distinct goals and guide the team toward a unified direction. Organizers and sponsors were excluded as they fell outside our primary audience.
Building on the Past to Shape 2024
DESCRIPTION
Studying previous ASSETS websites revealed what worked, what didn’t, and where the experience could grow. By identifying patterns, gaps, and opportunities, I shaped a 2024 redesign that feels both familiar and refreshingly modern.
Building on the Past to Shape 2024
DESCRIPTION
Studying previous ASSETS websites revealed what worked, what didn’t, and where the experience could grow. By identifying patterns, gaps, and opportunities, I shaped a 2024 redesign that feels both familiar and refreshingly modern.
Consistent, Character-Driven Experience
DESCRIPTION
Conference websites often feel generic or inconsistent, making it difficult for attendees to navigate or feel the event’s energy.
Consistent, Character-Driven Experience
DESCRIPTION
Conference websites often feel generic or inconsistent, making it difficult for attendees to navigate or feel the event’s energy.
Consistent, Character-Driven Experience
DESCRIPTION
Conference websites often feel generic or inconsistent, making it difficult for attendees to navigate or feel the event’s energy.
Opportunity
Opportunity
Design a unified, intuitive site that reflects the conference’s personality and helps every attendee navigate with ease.
Design a unified, intuitive site that reflects the conference’s personality and helps every attendee navigate with ease.
Contextual Inquiry
Contextual Inquiry
Contextual Inquiry
Design Inspired by Place
DESCRIPTION
To showcase the venue and the city, I explored Saint John’s history, culture, and landmarks. Inspired by downtown architecture, Jellybean Row, scenic oceanside views, and landmarks like the harbor and Signal Hill, I translated these elements into a website that is vibrant, practical, and accessible.
Design Inspired by Place
DESCRIPTION
To showcase the venue and the city, I explored Saint John’s history, culture, and landmarks. Inspired by downtown architecture, Jellybean Row, scenic oceanside views, and landmarks like the harbor and Signal Hill, I translated these elements into a website that is vibrant, practical, and accessible.
Design Inspired by Place
DESCRIPTION
To showcase the venue and the city, I explored Saint John’s history, culture, and landmarks. Inspired by downtown architecture, Jellybean Row, scenic oceanside views, and landmarks like the harbor and Signal Hill, I translated these elements into a website that is vibrant, practical, and accessible.
Design Inspired by Place
DESCRIPTION
To showcase the venue and the city, I explored Saint John’s history, culture, and landmarks. Inspired by downtown architecture, Jellybean Row, scenic oceanside views, and landmarks like the harbor and Signal Hill, I translated these elements into a website that is vibrant, practical, and accessible.
Design System
Design System
Design System
Building Consistency with Purpose
DESCRIPTION
To ensure visual harmony and streamline development, I created a design system rooted in Saint John’s character. It established clear patterns, reusable components, and accessible color guidelines, helping the team move faster while maintaining consistency across pages and platforms.
Building Consistency with Purpose
DESCRIPTION
To ensure visual harmony and streamline development, I created a design system rooted in Saint John’s character. It established clear patterns, reusable components, and accessible color guidelines, helping the team move faster while maintaining consistency across pages and platforms.
Building Consistency with Purpose
DESCRIPTION
To ensure visual harmony and streamline development, I created a design system rooted in Saint John’s character. It established clear patterns, reusable components, and accessible color guidelines, helping the team move faster while maintaining consistency across pages and platforms.
Structure & Flow
Structure & Flow
Structure & Flow
Designing for Depth and Discoverability
DESCRIPTION
With dozens of interconnected pages, the ASSETS website required a clear structure to guide diverse users. I mapped the full information architecture to visualize content depth and reveal simplification opportunities. A sample page layout illustrates how consistent hierarchy and visual balance make complex information easy to navigate.
Designing for Depth and Discoverability
DESCRIPTION
With dozens of interconnected pages, the ASSETS website required a clear structure to guide diverse users. I mapped the full information architecture to visualize content depth and reveal simplification opportunities. A sample page layout illustrates how consistent hierarchy and visual balance make complex information easy to navigate.
Accessibility
Accessibility
Accessibility
Designing for Depth and Discoverability
DESCRIPTION
With dozens of interconnected pages, the ASSETS website required a clear structure to guide diverse users. I mapped the full information architecture to visualize content depth and reveal simplification opportunities. A sample page layout illustrates how consistent hierarchy and visual balance make complex information easy to navigate.
Designing for Depth and Discoverability
DESCRIPTION
With dozens of interconnected pages, the ASSETS website required a clear structure to guide diverse users. I mapped the full information architecture to visualize content depth and reveal simplification opportunities. A sample page layout illustrates how consistent hierarchy and visual balance make complex information easy to navigate.
Accessible by Design
DESCRIPTION
I reviewed each page using automated tools and manual screen reader testing to ensure an inclusive experience. By using semantic HTML, descriptive alt text, logical headings, and full keyboard navigation, the site remains accessible and easy to use for everyone.
Accessible by Design
DESCRIPTION
I reviewed each page using automated tools and manual screen reader testing to ensure an inclusive experience. By using semantic HTML, descriptive alt text, logical headings, and full keyboard navigation, the site remains accessible and easy to use for everyone.
Accessible by Design
DESCRIPTION
I reviewed each page using automated tools and manual screen reader testing to ensure an inclusive experience. By using semantic HTML, descriptive alt text, logical headings, and full keyboard navigation, the site remains accessible and easy to use for everyone.
Accessible by Design
DESCRIPTION
I reviewed each page using automated tools and manual screen reader testing to ensure an inclusive experience. By using semantic HTML, descriptive alt text, logical headings, and full keyboard navigation, the site remains accessible and easy to use for everyone.
The Outcome
DESCRIPTION
We are extremely proud of the website's resounding success. It became an essential conference navigation tool for over 500+ attendees who actively used it throughout their ASSETS experience. The platform effectively guided participants to upcoming sessions, helped them discover Saint John's local attractions, and provided critical accessibility information. Most importantly, first-time attendees reported feeling well-oriented and informed, while returning participants appreciated the familiar structure enhanced with improved navigation.
The Outcome
DESCRIPTION
We are extremely proud of the website's resounding success. It became an essential conference navigation tool for over 500+ attendees who actively used it throughout their ASSETS experience. The platform effectively guided participants to upcoming sessions, helped them discover Saint John's local attractions, and provided critical accessibility information. Most importantly, first-time attendees reported feeling well-oriented and informed, while returning participants appreciated the familiar structure enhanced with improved navigation.
Final Design
Final Design
Final Design
The Outcome
DESCRIPTION
I’m proud that the redesigned site became a core tool for 500+ attendees, guiding them through sessions, showcasing Saint John’s attractions, and delivering essential accessibility info. First-time participants felt oriented and confident, while returning users appreciated a familiar structure paired with clearer navigation and a more expressive, character-filled experience.
The Outcome
DESCRIPTION
I’m proud that the redesigned site became a core tool for 500+ attendees, guiding them through sessions, showcasing Saint John’s attractions, and delivering essential accessibility info. First-time participants felt oriented and confident, while returning users appreciated a familiar structure paired with clearer navigation and a more expressive, character-filled experience.
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Things I learned
Things I learned
Things I learned
Automated Accessibility Tools Tell Only Half the Story
DESCRIPTION
Relying solely on automated accessibility compliance tools provides an incomplete picture of a website's accessibility. By personally conducting screen reader navigation tests, I uncovered critical user experience gaps that automated tools failed to detect. This hands-on approach revealed how certain design elements, though technically compliant, could still confuse users. I now view accessibility as a holistic practice that combines automated checks, manual testing protocols, and, ideally, direct feedback from users with disabilities.
Figma Is My Cup of Tea
DESCRIPTION
This project significantly enhanced my Figma skills beyond the basics of design. I developed more efficient documentation workflows and handoff protocols that streamlined the design-to-development process.
Automated Accessibility Tools Tell Only Half the Story
DESCRIPTION
Relying solely on automated accessibility compliance tools provides an incomplete picture of a website's accessibility. By personally conducting screen reader navigation tests, I uncovered critical user experience gaps that automated tools failed to detect. This hands-on approach revealed how certain design elements, though technically compliant, could still confuse users. I now view accessibility as a holistic practice that combines automated checks, manual testing protocols, and, ideally, direct feedback from users with disabilities.
Figma Is My Cup of Tea
DESCRIPTION
This project significantly enhanced my Figma skills beyond the basics of design. I developed more efficient documentation workflows and handoff protocols that streamlined the design-to-development process.
Automated Accessibility Tools Tell Only Half the Story
DESCRIPTION
Relying solely on automated accessibility compliance tools provides an incomplete picture of a website's accessibility. By personally conducting screen reader navigation tests, I uncovered critical user experience gaps that automated tools failed to detect. This hands-on approach revealed how certain design elements—though technically compliant—could still confuse users. I now view accessibility as a holistic practice that combines automated checks, manual testing protocols, and, ideally, direct feedback from users with disabilities.
Automated Accessibility Tools Tell Only Half the Story
DESCRIPTION
Relying solely on automated accessibility compliance tools provides an incomplete picture of a website's accessibility. By personally conducting screen reader navigation tests, I uncovered critical user experience gaps that automated tools failed to detect. This hands-on approach revealed how certain design elements—though technically compliant—could still confuse users. I now view accessibility as a holistic practice that combines automated checks, manual testing protocols, and, ideally, direct feedback from users with disabilities.
Figma Is My Cup of Tea
DESCRIPTION
This project significantly enhanced my Figma skills beyond the basics of design. I developed more efficient documentation workflows and handoff protocols that streamlined the design-to-development process.
Figma Is My Cup of Tea
DESCRIPTION
This project significantly enhanced my Figma skills beyond the basics of design. I developed more efficient documentation workflows and handoff protocols that streamlined the design-to-development process.
Early Alignment Matters
DESCRIPTION
I discovered the importance of aligning design and development efforts early, especially when working with multiple stakeholders. By front-loading key design tasks and establishing communication channels with developers from the outset, I saw how early alignment helps ensure smoother collaboration and more successful outcomes across the team.
Early Alignment Matters
DESCRIPTION
I discovered the importance of aligning design and development efforts early, especially when working with multiple stakeholders. By front-loading key design tasks and establishing communication channels with developers from the outset, I saw how early alignment helps ensure smoother collaboration and more successful outcomes across the team.
Early Alignment Matters
DESCRIPTION
I discovered the importance of aligning design and development efforts early, especially when working with multiple stakeholders. By front-loading key design tasks and establishing communication channels with developers from the outset, I saw how early alignment helps ensure smoother collaboration and more successful outcomes across the team.
Early Alignment Matters
DESCRIPTION
I discovered the importance of aligning design and development efforts early, especially when working with multiple stakeholders. By front-loading key design tasks and establishing communication channels with developers from the outset, I saw how early alignment helps ensure smoother collaboration and more successful outcomes across the team.
Figma Is My Cup of Tea
DESCRIPTION
This project significantly enhanced my Figma skills beyond the basics of design. I developed more efficient documentation workflows and handoff protocols that streamlined the design-to-development process.
Figma Is My Cup of Tea
DESCRIPTION
This project significantly enhanced my Figma skills beyond the basics of design. I developed more efficient documentation workflows and handoff protocols that streamlined the design-to-development process.
About Assets
DESCRIPTION
ACM SIGACCESS is an interdisciplinary group of professionals who develop technologies for people with disabilities. The annual ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility allows authors to make contributions which are peer-reviewed and archived in the ACM Digital Library. If selected, authors can travel to the conference to present their work and engage with the community to share insights, foster collaboration, and advance accessibility research.
About Assets
DESCRIPTION
ACM SIGACCESS is an interdisciplinary group of professionals who develop technologies for people with disabilities. The annual ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility allows authors to make contributions which are peer-reviewed and archived in the ACM Digital Library. If selected, authors can travel to the conference to present their work and engage with the community to share insights, foster collaboration, and advance accessibility research.
Design Goals
DESCRIPTION
The ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility brings together academics, industry researchers, policymakers, end users, students, and vendors interested in accessibility to collaborate and engage with a community of like-minded individuals. Our design vision aligns with the mission of ASSETS, aiming to create a digital space where these diverse stakeholders can easily navigate and access relevant information while showcasing the conference venue.
Design Goals
DESCRIPTION
The ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility brings together academics, industry researchers, policymakers, end users, students, and vendors interested in accessibility to collaborate and engage with a community of like-minded individuals. Our design vision aligns with the mission of ASSETS, aiming to create a digital space where these diverse stakeholders can easily navigate and access relevant information while showcasing the conference venue.
Problem
DESCRIPTION
The ASSETS conference is organized by 18 sub-committees which need to come together to create a cohesive conference experience, but there are significant web communication challenges. Coordinating across this large, distributed team creates bottlenecks in publishing timely updates, with each stakeholder requiring separate coordination and content verification processes. These inefficiencies directly impact attendees' decision-making regarding travel, accommodations, and participation, while compromising the website's accessibility standards and overall effectiveness in serving its audience before, during, and after the conference.
Problem
DESCRIPTION
The ASSETS conference is organized by 18 sub-committees which need to come together to create a cohesive conference experience, but there are significant web communication challenges. Coordinating across this large, distributed team creates bottlenecks in publishing timely updates, with each stakeholder requiring separate coordination and content verification processes. These inefficiencies directly impact attendees' decision-making regarding travel, accommodations, and participation, while compromising the website's accessibility standards and overall effectiveness in serving its audience before, during, and after the conference.
Opportunity
DESCRIPTION
By developing an accessibility-first framework and establishing core ui elements early in the process, we can create a flexible system that accommodates gradual content updates while maintaining transparency for attendees. This approach would not only improve the user experience by providing reliable, timely information, but also serve as a model for accessible design that aligns with the ASSETS conference mission.
Opportunity
DESCRIPTION
By developing an accessibility-first framework and establishing core ui elements early in the process, we can create a flexible system that accommodates gradual content updates while maintaining transparency for attendees. This approach would not only improve the user experience by providing reliable, timely information, but also serve as a model for accessible design that aligns with the ASSETS conference mission.