Year: 2024
Timeline: 6 Weeks
Tools: Figma / Photoshop
Project: Public Service Design / Project Design
VPL is known for their variety of programs and environment perfect for studying, however I encountered some issues:
Poor accessibility of ESL information
Confusing navigation within the ESL resources section
Programs primarily tailored to intermediate learners, with no clear entry point for beginners
Lack of external touchpoints to raise awareness of available ESL programs
View Project
My role
Mobile Website Redesign - improve usability and accessibility for excluded groups
User Research and Testing - conducted usability tests to guide and improve design decisions
Visual Design - designed posters to promote library service and increase engagement
Objectives
Translations
Seamless translations across all pages that are also grammatically correct
New ESL Programs
Encourage language and culture exchange whilst building communities.
Translink Ads
Create external touch points to draw engagement from new comers to Canada.
Research + Outcomes
View Maps
VPL's ESL resources are difficult to navigate due to missing filters, information overload and inaccurate translations. By mapping out an ESL user journey and service blueprint for these programs, I was able to improve accessibility and the program registration experience.
The redesign now includes the ESL category that navigates to corresponding programs
Information has been reorganised and condensed so there’s no repetition or redundant information.
To make navigation simpler, filters were added. They now also include varying fluency depending on user needs.
Now all translations are seamless and are grammatically correct, with no sections that are left untranslated.
Translink Ad Design
There are no advertisements from VPL that showcase their facilities and programs, let alone are they targeted towards ESL users. For the adverts I wanted these to reflect the diverse user group.
Made bilingual posters to draw attention to those who speak the language
Promotes how these services can aid in that process was a key motive behind these posters
Lessons Learned
As this was my first service design project I learned how to approach a problem and how to combat obstacles in the design process.
What I Learned
how to make designs more accessible for users with language barriers
design ads to increase engagement
importance of user testing with target users
importance of translation for accessibility as languages can be elaborate
Obstacles
translating and making sure it’s grammatically correct, ensuring a smooth navigation
Next Steps
find ways to include older audiences
expand translations to include common foreign languages in Vancouver
e.g: Punjabi, Tagalog, Spanish, Japanese and more
