MCSSP

Project Goal

Create a comprehensible and accessible resource hub for the Queer community in Mendocino

By organizing and presenting MCSSP’s resources and free services in a clear, user-friendly way, users quickly find what they need, making it easy to discover and access details about upcoming events, and encouraging donations by providing a simple, seamless contribution process.

View Prototype

User experience research

Competitive Analysis

Among 16 other website with similar goals and missions, some key factors that provided a usable and welcoming user experience are:

Warm and approachable branding

Useful resource listings

Content addresses all user groups

Encouraging Donations

By refocusing the website as both reliable information hub and a testimony of personal connections, which improved both donation conversion and trust for MCSSP’s online visitors. Analysis showed that:

About 50% of websites use direct pop-ups that appear promptly encourage donation.

About 50% of websites utilize an impact statement page, focusing on storytelling and mission clarity to establish trust before asking for support.

research insights

From our research, we identified 4 insights:

Insight 1

A lack of concise, reliable, local LGBTQ+ resources and support system

Insight 2

Websites with accurate local and national resources gain more trust

Insight 3

Use of an impact statement establishes reliability and credibility

Insight 4

Use of personal stories establishes more emotional user-reactions

creative strategy

Our team strategized to design a website that increases the visibility of MCSSP’s impact in Mendocino by surfacing resources and reflecting community presence, driving engagement through participation and donation.

Tactic 1

Create easy access to information for everyone engaging with MCSSP.

Tactic 2

Highlight an established LGBTQIA+ community ready to support anyone seeking connection.

Tactic 3

Create a website that captures MCSSP’s personality and serves as a single source of truth for all work.

new visual identity

Established new branding that conveys a more positive and welcoming art direction:

Designed to welcome users to MCSSP, the homepage uses:

01
Vibrant color palette visually communicate pride, celebration, and a sense of togetherness
02
Community photography highlights of real people so the viewer can connect with MCSSP
03
Accessible paths for services, events, and support so it is easy to understand website offerings and services
04
Testimonials build trust and showcase the connection MCSSP has within Mendocino County.

Key Layouts

Resource Page

A primary goal for MCSSP is to establish itself as a resource for queer youth and their allies within the community. Like other LGBTQ+ institutions, the website includes a comprehensive list with key organizational features to help users skim available resources.

Suggest A Resource allows community members to add needed resources.

Program And Services

MCSSP offers free services to members of the Mendocino community, but rely heavily on community donations. The Program & Services page is structured to streamline MCSSP's offerings for the visitor while also encouraging any contributions.

takeaways

Our website redesign created an accessible resource for queer youth, allies, and parents.

This project evolved beyond a standard website redesign. It became an effort to improve visibility, access, and representation for a rural queer community. MCSSP already had a strong foundation rooted in care and advocacy. This work focused on providing a digital home capable of carrying that mission forward in a clear and accessible way