Timeline

  • February - April 2024 (7 Weeks)

My Role

  • Independent UI/UX Class Project

THE PROBLEM

EIGOPDT requires a modern yet reverent platform that is accessible, and user-friendly, enabling navigation of live sermons, events, and donations for its community.

THE SOLUTION

Enhanced functionality, accessibility and user-centric design

Streamlined Navigation

  • A modern yet reverend website with organized sections and clear call-to-action buttons for sermons, giving, and events.

Effective call to action and easy giving

  • A bold call to action directing congregants to a simple giving page with minimal distractions and multiple giving options.

Accessibility and User-Centric design

  • A search bar for effortless browsing

  • WGAC-compliant, high contrast colors for clarity and accessibility

Responsive design across all devices

  • Optimized to ensure seamless access and functionality across all screen sizes enabling users to engage with the website anytime, anywhere.

OVERVIEW

Project Kickoff

The Ebenezer International Gospel of Peace and Deliverance Temple (EIGOPDT) sought to establish a new website that would enhance usability, accessibility, and visual appeal for a diverse audience, including congregation members, new visitors, and individuals seeking online services.

As the sole designer, I led the design process utilizing like Figma, Adobe Photoshop, CSS, and HTML. The goal was to craft a cohesive digital experience that reflects EIGOPDT's values, strengthens community engagement, and supports core features like sermons, events, and online giving.

THE PROCESS

  • Discovery

  • Define

  • Ideate

  • UI Design

  • Validate & Iterate

RESEARCH

Discovery: Competitive Analysis & Remote User Interviews

I analyzed polished church websites (e.g., The Potter’s House, COGIC, New Life Covenant) to identify effective design approaches for navigation, accessibility, sermon access, and online giving.

I then conducted 2 rounded of remote user interviews. Because of the limited resources available for this project io focused on three main questions

  1. "When you visit the EIGOPDT website, what are the most important tasks you need to accomplish, and what challenges have you faced in completing them?"

  2. "How do you currently access sermons, event information, or online giving, and what would make these processes easier or more meaningful for you?"

  3. "What features or information would make the EIGOPDT website feel more welcoming, accessible, or aligned with your expectations as a congregation member or visitor?"

Define: Analysis

Using the insight l got from user interviews, l came up with three themes:

Theme 1: Streamlined Accessibility

Theme 2: Engagement and Community Connection

Theme 3: Modern yet reverent design

PERSONAS & JOURNEY MAPPING

"Dedicated Deacon"

Age: 70
Occupation: Lifelong church member and community leader
Tech Savviness: Moderate—comfortable with basic smartphone and tablet use but prefers straightforward, intuitive platforms.

Goals:

  • Stay informed about church programs and community service opportunities.

  • Access sermons for spiritual enrichment and reflection.

  • Easily navigate to donation options to support the church's mission.

Needs/Pain Points:

  • Simple and accessible pathways to find sermons and event schedules.

  • A clear and uncluttered interface that doesn’t feel overwhelming.

  • Mobile-friendly design for quick access on her smartphone or tablet.

Frustrations:

  • Struggles with overly complex menus or features that require multiple steps.

  • Difficulty locating specific information, like event times or service details.

  • Lack of accessibility features like larger text or high-contrast options for readability.

Motivations:

  • Deeply committed to fostering community within the church.

  • Values tools that allow her to connect with others and share spiritual resources.

  • Wants a platform that reflects the reverence and mission of the church while being easy to use for her age group.

The church is my foundation, and I want to stay connected in every way possible—whether it’s attending events, supporting our mission, or simply hearing the Word, even when I’m at home.

DESIGN

Ideation

My first instinct was to take a mobile-first approach. I believed this would be the best route to facilitate inclusive design.

How might we

“create a welcoming and accessible experience that fosters spiritual connection, encourages community engagement, and simplifies access to sermons, events, and online giving?"

A New Direction.

I quickly realized that mobile-first design resulted in massive usability issues when viewed on other devices.

I then switched to a responsive design approach. 

UI DESIGN

This is where the user journey begins. It has 3 notable features:

  1. A modern yet reverent design

  • A bold Call-to-Action button that draws attention to giving

  • A mission statement that communicates the church's core mission and values succinctly.

  • An actionable CTA provides easy access to live sermons.

2. A call for community and fellowship

  • Call for Engagement: An immediate way to promote fellowship and position the church as inclusive and community-focused.

  • Simple Layout: A clean design ensures readability and simplicity for all users

3. Simplicity, Scannability and Accessibility

  • A block, side-by-side layout for organized content

  • High contrast between text and background colors ensures readability for users with visual impairments

Validation + Implementation

Working towards responsiveness

Final Designs

A modern yet reverent design

REFLECTIONS AND LESSONS

What l learned + Growth Areas

  • Understanding User Needs is Paramount: I learned that engaging directly with stakeholders, from church leaders to members, uncovered diverse perspectives that shaped the platform’s design. This experience reinforced the importance of truly listening to users to create something meaningful.

  • Balancing Functionality with Spirituality: Designing for a faith-based organization taught me how to integrate technical features with a tone that reflects values. I realized the significance of creating a platform that not only works efficiently but also resonates deeply with the community it serves.

  • Accessibility is Non-Negotiable: Ensuring the platform was inclusive, from color choices to mobile responsiveness, showed me how intentional design can make a difference for all users. This process got me thinking deeply about WCAG.

  • Team work makes the Dream work: Carrying out a project with a very tight budget taught me the importance of resourcefulness and adaptability. I had to be frugal, finding creative solutions even when resources were scarce.

    • Moving from research to building a fully functional and responsive website was challenging, but the team I worked with, though not UX designers, provided invaluable insights and support. Their contributions made implementing design principles into code a much smoother and more rewarding process.”

You made it to the end! Amandla ✊🏾

Thank you for reading!

Switch gears: