At eCoreXperience, we provide unique solutions to our clients that maximize visual impact, increase brand awareness, provide users with easy navigational access to desired content, and incorporate functionality that supports both user and business goals—solutions that integrate seemlessly with new or existing back-end systems. A sampling of the diversity of our solutions are noted below.
The American Institutes for Research (AIR), a non-profit, non-partisan organization with headquarter offices in Washington, DC, is one of the world's largest behavioral and social science research organizations.
Based on thorough requirements gathering, a specification document was developed to inform the development of the site on the Joomla 1.5 platform. Working closely with AIR stakeholders, both a visual design and information architecture were developed. With the specification, design and architecture in place, a database-driven site was developed in Joomla with an easy-to-use backend to allow staff-members to make updates to the site in a timely, efficient manner. Section 508 compliance was incorporated into the development cycle with testing conducted during the final stages prior to launch. The resulting site has a fresh look and feel that is related to the RTI site but with its own, engaging character, tailored to the audience the site serves and its search-based functionality.
- Conducted a thorough Requirements Gathering session to validate requirements about structure, design and accessibility;
- Designed a fresh, engaging look and feel for the State Database that tied in with the RTI parent site, while giving the companion site its own, clearly defined identity;
- Developed a robust suite of search functions on the Joomla 1.5 platform with custom PHP;
- Ensured Section 508 compliance through the development of a compliant code package and rigorous compliance testing.
Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the leading national construction trade association. In response to feedback from its membership base, AGC determined that their current website needed to be redesigned from both a visual and structural perspective.
eCoreXperience identified the key areas that needed to be addressed to move the website forward to a more user-focused orientation, from both a structural and visual perspective. Working in conjunction with key content and marketing owners a streamlined navigation structure was developed and a new look and feel was established that better represented the association membership base. The result was a redesign that won a 2008 WebAward from the Web Marketing Association for Outstanding Achievement in Website Development.
- Analyzed existing content and content structures
- Identified usability issues relating to multiple add-on content services and provided recommendations
- Streamlined information architecture to move from an organizational-based to a user-focused structure
- Created an engaging visual design that more effectively represented AGC's business goals and audience interest
- Developed HTML code and wireframe "roadmap" to facilitate Content Management System implementation
The Reading and Writing Project, associated with Columbia University Teachers College, is a research and staff development organization dedicated to supporting expert literacy instruction.
eCoreXperience developed a custom Registration Management tool to store online registration and enable administrators to make registration decisions regarding enrollees (Accept/Reject). In conjunction with this development, a redesign of their existing website took place to simplify navigation, provide a fresh visual design and integrate with the Registration Management tool. Finally a Content Management System solution was put in place.
- Performed detailed technical and business requirements gathering for both website and Registration Management tool.
- Managed system integration points with existing Columbia Learning Management and Accounting Systems.
- Designed a clean and easy to use navigation and integrated with a visual design reflective of the Project's mission with a focus on children and the joy of learning.
- Implemented ProfitSuite Content Management System.
A coalition of construction industry organizations, led by the Associated General Contractors of America, required a website to promote their contract documents offerings. Although some content currently existed, it needed to be re-addressed and structured to represent the interests of the broader coalition.
eCoreXperience developed a new web site that streamlined and refined content areas in a design that incorporated the coalition's new logo and clearly establishes the organization's identity as the go-to site for industry contract documents. Additionally, through all stages of requirements gathering, analysis and development, integration with the client's backend systems was maintained as the ultimate goal, yielding a flexible design that can easily be incorporated into the Content Management System.
- Conducted a thorough site analysis to gain an understanding of all content and functionality as well as integration points to the back-end e-Commerce system.
- Created a clear, straightforward navigation scheme and up-to-date look and feel designed to appeal to the core site audience.
- Developed HTML code for launch with the goal of integrating the site into the Content Management System (CMS) as a next step.
Founded in 1958, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School is a co-educational secondary school which emphasizes a rigorous college preparatory education. Located in Poughkeepsie, NY, the school sets high standards for its students and needed those standards reflected on their website.
eCoreXperience developed a website with two "doors" — one for parents, alumni and the general public and one specifically aimed at the students. Each door has a distinct look and feel oriented to the targeted user audience. By implementing a Content Management System, ExpressionEngine by pMachine, site content could easily be represented in a visually different way based upon the "door" selected.
- Conducted focus group sessions with students to identify their specific needs from a visual and content perspective and mapped to identified business needs.
- Conducted photographic sessions on site of buildings and students.
- Created a cohesive visual design and information architecture.
- Implemented a Content Management System (CMS) solution that met the required budget of OLLCHS and trained content administrators and contributors on how to use it.
The U.S. State Department responded to a government mandate that required every agency within the Federal Government to develop a website targeted at the country's youth. As part of an evolution to provide interesting and educational information, two disparate websites emerged. At Secretary of State Colin Powell's direction, a decision was made to consolidate these sites and make them more appealing to teenagers. The goal was to create a site that would encourage teenagers to access up-to-date information relating to the myriad functions of the State Department and serve as a first choice resource for research on foreign affairs from this targeted age group.
eCoreXperience designed a new look and feel for a single, consolidated site, restructured the information architecture and reworked the navigation in full compliance with the Section 508 Accessibility Standards as mandated by the Department of Justice for all federal web sites to ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities.
- Conducted a targeted Focus Group with 9th to 12th grade students to solicit input and feedback on visual design elements to determine what would work best and appeal most to teens.
- Conducted a Creative JAD (Joint Application Design) at the Department of State. This interactive workshop was broken down into a series of exercises aimed at further defining the audience mindset as well as the State Department's attitude and positioning goals.
- Designed all deliverables to rigorous standards of the Section 508 statute while maintaining an exciting look and feel that appeals to a teenage audience.
The Hechinger, associated with Columbia University Teachers College, is dedicated to equipping journalists with the knowledge and skills to produce fair and accurate reporting on education issues through the use of seminars and supportive publications.
eCoreXperience redesigned the existing Hechinger Institute website to more accurately reflect the mission and vision of the Institute. Sessions were held to identify content, structural and visual design needs as well as site maintenance requirements. A Content Management System was implemented to enable Hechinger staff to easily maintain site content and keep it current.
- Performed detailed technical and business requirements gathering.
- Created a dynamic and easy to navigate site structure.
- Incorporated new branding into visual design.
- Implemented ProfitSuite Content Management System and trained Hechinger staff on its use.
