Learning to Wash Wisely
As a freelance designer and developer, I partnered with Accord Australasia and Ident to revitalise the WashWise website. This project involved a complete redesign and rebuild, transforming the outdated site into a modern, responsive and accessible platform focused on educating Australians about sustainable washing practices.
Client
Accord
Industry
Public Sector
Year
2018
Challenge
The original WashWise website, built in 2009, predated responsive design and lacked accessibility, findability and readability. Its graphic-heavy approach and cumbersome content organisation damaged the user experience.
The primary challenge was to reimagine WashWise for a new generation of users, making the wealth of information accessible and engaging.
Solution
I collaborated with Ident to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing website. Recognising the need for a fresh start, I proposed a complete overhaul, beginning with a restructuring of the information architecture (IA). The content was reorganised into three clear top-level sections (Setting up your laundry, During the wash, After the wash), each with three sub-sections. This foundational change streamlined navigation and facilitated a more user-friendly experience. The design was then built around this new IA.
My Role and Approach
The redesigned WashWise website has significantly improved user engagement and reach:
- The restructured IA and modern design improved the user experience, making it easier for users to find the information they need.
- Interactive elements and new content presentation methods encourage exploration and learning and increased engagement.
- The user-friendly design and improved content organisation have led to increased organic traffic and improved search engine ranking.
- The website is now accessible to a wider audience, including users with disabilities.
- The success of the WashWise redesign paved the way for the revamp of Accord’s Hygiene for Health website.
Impact
The redesigned Hygiene for Health website launched at the 2019 AOSDAC & Accord Cleaning & Hygiene Conference, met with enthusiasm from industry members. This modern and effective platform is:
- Fully responsive and accessible, ensuring a positive user experience across all devices.
- Interactive, encouraging exploration and learning and making complex information more digestible.
- Aligned with WashWise to create a cohesive brand identity and consistent experience for Accord’s sustainability initiatives.
- A foundation, serving as a template for future development of Accord’s other sustainable initiatives, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
