SPDBS

Project Overview

The Society for the Perpetuation of the Desert Bred Saluki (SPDBS), a U.S.-based nonprofit, approached me to redesign their outdated WordPress website. Their existing site was plagued with ongoing maintenance issues, plugin failures, poor mobile responsiveness, and an unintuitive structure—resulting in high annual costs and frustration for both the organization and its members.

The goal was to create a more stable, user-friendly platform that empowered the organization to manage their content independently, while also delivering a better experience for their users—many of whom are older and less tech-savvy.

‍

Objectives

The redesign needed to achieve the following:

• Eliminate reliance on WordPress and migrate to a more reliable, low-maintenance platform (Squarespace)
• Ensure the site was easy to navigate, especially for an older audience
• Integrate an online store to sell memberships and merchandise
• Provide clear access to digital and printable registration forms
• Design for mobile responsiveness and accessibility, meeting at least AAA contrast and readability standards

My Role

I managed the entire project end-to-end as the sole designer and developer. My responsibilities included:

• Leading the design process from structure to visuals
• Gathering and implementing content from the client
• Building and testing the site in Squarespace
• Ensuring full mobile compatibility
• Providing detailed walkthroughs so the client could confidently manage the site after handoff
• Communicating regularly with the organization’s president to keep the project on track

‍

Design Process

Foundation

I began by auditing the old website to understand its structure and pain points. From there, I focused on reworking the information architecture, aiming to reduce the number of clicks needed to find essential content.

Early Ideation

• Sketched wireframes to explore layout options
• Created a visual moodboard aligned with the nonprofit's heritage and mission
• Used the old site as a baseline while significantly improving clarity and hierarchy

Design Principles

My design decisions were guided by three core principles:

• Accessibility: Fonts and contrast levels were selected to meet AAA accessibility standards.
• Simplicity: Content was grouped intuitively to minimize cognitive load and frustration.
• Brand integrity: The visuals reflect SPDBS’s legacy while modernizing their digital presence.

Mobile & Maintenance

The site was built to be fully responsive, ensuring functionality on phones and tablets. I also delivered a set of walkthroughs and best practices to help the client maintain the site without ongoing tech support.

‍

Results

‍

Outcome

This project was a great opportunity to blend UX design with practical problem solving for a real-world nonprofit. It highlights my ability to:

• Lead a project solo from start to finish
• Design for accessibility and clarity
• Create sustainable, user-first websites that serve both clients and their audiences

‍

‍

‍

‍