American Anthropological Association
Davey Awards - Gold: Features-Website Redesign - 2023
User Interface Design
Visual Design
2022
Founded in 1902, the American Anthropological Association (AAA) is the leading organization advancing anthropology and its real-world applications.
Project Overview
The American Anthropological Association (AAA), the leading organization advancing anthropological knowledge, sought a website redesign to enhance accessibility, engagement, and user experience. The goal was to create a welcoming and inclusive digital space that effectively connected diverse audiences—researchers, educators, students, and the public—to AAA’s wealth of resources, programs, and advocacy efforts.
Challenges
AAA’s existing website suffered from cluttered content, complex navigation, and an unclear mission, making it difficult for users to find relevant information. Additionally, a lack of intuitive CTAs hindered engagement, and accessibility shortcomings limited the site's inclusivity. Ensuring compliance with WCAG AA and AAA standards was a key priority to accommodate all users.
Approach
As the lead UI designer, I focused on crafting a cohesive, visually appealing, and user-friendly design that embraced accessibility best practices. The approach centered on:
Establishing a clean and modern UI aligned with AAA’s mission and audience needs.
Enhancing navigation with a clear hierarchy and intuitive user pathways.
Incorporating inclusive design principles to improve readability, contrast, and overall usability.
Developing a scalable design system that maintained consistency across the site.
Solution
The redesigned website enhances user experience with a modern visual identity that balances professionalism and warmth.
Streamlined navigation and better content organization simplify resource access, while WCAG AA and AAA compliance ensures broad accessibility. A modular UI system allows adaptability across sections, maintaining consistency as the site evolves. This user-centered design promotes greater engagement and serves the diverse AAA community more effectively.