Making things better by making better things.
User Experience + Visual Designer
I help consumers have meaningful, positive engagements with companies
through digital products creating memorable, intuitive, and pleasing experiences
using research, user-centered design, and southern charm.
Here are some projects I’m proud of:
Centro Diba
An NGO changing the lives
of disabled adults.
Molinos Verde de Moringa
An NGO promoting education, conservation, & collaboration.
Inspirus Consulting, Inc.
Giving expert guidance for
today’s complex challenges.
Case Study
Centro Diba
How one website helped change
the lives of disabled adults
Overview
Centro Diba is a non-government organization in San Juan, Costa Rica. It was founded to give handicapped adults and their families access to occupational therapy, physical therapy, and socialization to teach life skills to its participants.
We were contacted by this organization through an applied Master of Arts program that helps organizations with its design expertise and serves the greater good. Our team assembled and flew to Costa Rica to take on this project.
Project Goals
Inform the community
Recruit 10 new families
Build organizational trust
Awards
This project won the Best of Web Design Award of the Association
for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).
My Role
Research
Product Design
UX Design
Visual Design
Problem
The disability community doesn’t know about the organization so they are not able to serve or grow.
Discovery
I started discovery by interviewing the organization’s founder to discover “Who, What, Why, and How” the organization exists.
The population served by this organization is family, friends, caregivers, and the disabled to provide
a safe space, and resources and remove abuse and loneliness the handicapped experience by creating
a home environment for them. With this vision, we set out to get to know the clients firsthand.
Research
Given a 3-week deadline, start to finish, I used qualitative research to pin-point critical needs without assuming, guessing, or wasting time.
Client
Interviews
Staff
Interviews
Contextual
Inquiries
Interviews
After talking with the clients, we found what they wanted was a connection.
The clients overwhelmingly desire relationships and social a life, while parents and caregivers are primarily concerned with safety.
Friends
Clients desire
relationships
most of all.
Home
Clients desire
a place to
call home.
Safety
Clients want
to be secure.
Interviews
In the interviews with staff, I found additional barriers that needed to be conquered. In the end, the MVP must be:
Bilingual
Accessible
Storytelling
Build trust
Free!
Insight
The interview sessions
helped us realize the
overlapping needs
of the organization.
Clients desire relationships
Families must trust the organization
The organization needs growth
Quantitative Research
Next, I used quantitative research to
understand attitudes and resources available
to the disabled in Costa Rica and found…
“It’s society,
not a disability, that puts
barriers in the way”.
— Nicole Marsden, Attorney & Activist
Quantitative research revealed that 18% of the population suffers from some sort of disability, yet the Costa Rican government does not supply aid to the disabled after the age of 18. This amounts to 670, 000 people.
There are no programs, public or private, that supply aid of any kind to the disabled because the community is a low-priority concern and is left to struggle on its own.
18%
Define the Solution
We synthesized our research into the solution that best met all the needs.
We realized the competing needs of the clients, and families, and the goals
of the organization is best met by building a custom website that recruits, informs, and tells their story.
Design
IA Design
I structured the information architecture to meet the goals of the project and ensure clarity for the user.
After the structure was organized, the copy was written, with the aid of a
translator, and then I drew up a site map.
Accessibility Design
Designing a website the disabled can use starts with accessibility to ensure everyone can engage without barriers.
I used a single-page website design because of its accessibility and low bandwidth consumption. Users can engage without searching, clicking, or typing in information. The design must-haves are:
Handicap Accessibility
Uses low bandwidth
Bi-lingual translation
Storytelling
Video and photography
Low costs to maintain
Simple navigation
Storytelling
I started telling their story from the jump
with videos, photos, and testimonials.
Designing an opening section with a video to tell the story of the organization, models
transparency which builds trust in the organization.
Day-in-the-life graphic
Visual Design
I created a brand identity that feels familiar to its clientele and families of the organization.
I used a favorite activity, putting puzzles together, as a visual metaphor to represent the atmosphere of Centro Diba. In a puzzle, each piece has a special place and not until all the pieces are in their place, is the picture complete. This is the atmosphere of belonging at Centro Diba. I also designed visual identity and a new logo for the organization.
Splash page visual
Color palette
Sunny logo design
Homepage Design
Final Design
Since there are no disability laws in Costa Rica, I used W3C guidelines to comply with modern accessibility standards, so when the law catches up to the people’s needs, the website will still be compliant.
Development
After client approval, we left Costa Rica to start development and testing in the United States.
We deployed the website on a staging server to test it for any bugs or glitches. We ran various tests, including browser testing and load testing to ensure the website's optimum performance. The final product was well-tested, bug-free, and exceeded the client's expectations.
“I thank God every day for discovering these people for I know and trust that they attend very well”.
Ms. Marielos
Parent
“The help is very great! It is quite great because he has learned to socialize more than anything. Before he was very difficult. Every time he saw a lot of people, he behaved badly. Now he knows how to behave very well”.
Ms.Sonia
Parent
Outcome
Having met all of the project goals, we turned the project over to the client and they were thrilled with the results!
• Centro Diba is a known and valued part of the disability community.
• Centro Diba added 19 new member families exceeding the goal by 190%.
• Centro Diba is known and trusted by parents.
Learnings
Building a website for a client in Costa Rica was an incredible experience that taught
us the importance of effective communication, planning, and execution.
We’re proud that the end product was an excellent representation of our team’s talent
and hard work. If you're looking for a team of experienced web designers and developers, We’ll bring your vision to life!
Kudos
This project won the Best of Web Design Award from the Association
for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).
Kudos
“I recommend him highly!”
“I'm pleased to recommend Gary Barber to you. Gary is a great communicator and he added tremendous value to our team through his deep experience and nuanced interactions with the clients. He takes time to deeply understand client needs and this was key to the team accomplishing so much in such a short time. I recommend him highly.”
Amanda Sturgill
Elon University
To learn more contact me:
919.201.2644
gary.o.barber@gmail.com
Thank you for your time
Case Study
Molinos Verde de Moringa
The redesign of a website that aims
to change sustaina as we know it.
Overview
Molinos Verde de Moringa (MVM) is a non-profit organization that promotes a lifestyle of conservative, educational, and collaborative farming called Permaculture. MVM believes all can enjoy this planet by practicing conservation, educating ourselves on our planet, and sharing the surplus it produces with others.
In that pursuit, MVM launched a website that recruits people for classes, and community projects and posts informational content. However, the website is not producing results.
Their events and classes are not attended and they asked for help to change it.
Kudos
This project won Best of Web Design Award of Association
for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).
My Role
Research
Product Design
Experience Design
Visual Design
Project Goals
Educate the community
Publicize the events
Engage the community
Problem
MVM projects and education sessions are not attended so they are not able to teach,
promote, or expand Permaculture in the community.
Discovery
We took this project with a 3-week deadline, start
to finish. When time is of the essence, I use guerilla research to lead the discovery.
Qualitative research interviews and focus groups helped diagnose quickly without assuming, guessing, or wasting time.
Employee
interviews
Group sessions
with users
Total of hours
interview time
Control of Time
People needed regularly scheduled sessions with advanced notice of events.
2
Collaboration
People needed to be inspired and taught to start Permaculture.
3
Information
People needed a
place they to access
information anytime.
Research
Interview sessions exposed the pain points current users are experiencing and if eliminated, would dramatically increase participation in classes, events, and projects.
1
4
Coaching
People needed coaching, and community to be successful.
5
Goal Setting
People needed help in
managing expectations
and reaching goals.
6
Success!
MVM needs to
make sure people
are successful.
Issues
I performed a website audit of the existing website and exposed critical user experience problems.
No “Calls To Action”
No brand identity
No instructions
Design is busy and unfocused
Accessibility problems
No maps or directions
Too many product offerings
Define the solution
Research determined that it was necessary to redesign the website if it
was going to:
Educate the community.
Publicize projects and events.
Engage the community.
IA Design
The information architecture (IA) was structured to fit the goals of the project to ensure clarity for the user.
With the aid of a translator, the copy was written and then a site map was drawn up.
Sitemap
Teaching Permaculture
Practicing Permaculture
Learning Permaculture
Visual Design
With the structure settled, I created a brand & visual identity that was simple and aspirational: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
By doing small things, we can save the community one garden at a time!
Content Design
I created a brand message that is simple, catchy,
and complete: Earth care, People care, Fair share.
Organizing the content added clarity and made for a better experience.
Earth Care
Natural Construction
Clean Energies
Water Management
Bio Controls
People Care
Teaching/Mentoring
Medicinal Plantings
Collaboration
Special Events
Fair Share
Community Gardens
Urban Gardens
Family Gardens
Experimental Farming
Education Design
In the design, I emphasized the learning opportunities the users suggested to address the lack of information.
I featured networking, social interaction, and learning opportunities on the website. Events are publicized monthly and members are allowed to join up online.
Engagement Deisgn
To push engagement, we featured the workshops
and initiatives that get the community involved.
Along with access to maps, projects, and events with online sign-up through “Calls to Action,” we addressed the lack of information and control of the schedule.
Highlighting Events
Publicity for events is a marketing problem.
Our solution leverages the power of social media
to build an online community.
To publicize the program and recruit new members, we started new social media accounts and linked to them to build an online presence.
Outcomes
Seamlessly blending visuals, user-friendly navigation, informative content, and a 150% increase in audience engagement have the
MVM founder saying, “We never looked better!"
—Santiago, Founder and CEO
Molinos Verde de Moringa was recognized by the community as a difference-maker and has never been more practiced or popular. Their events and classes are well attended and they had to add more instructors and classes to meet the demand.
MVM Team
Learnings
This project had a team of 6 strangers, go to an unfamiliar country, take on an unknown project, solve unidentified problems, for an unfamiliar client with a 3-week deadline, and work between 2 countries and in 2 languages, to build a website that serves a community.
This taught us the importance of effective communication, planning, and execution.
We’re proud that the end product was an excellent representation of our team’s talent
and hard work.
Kudos
“They got our brand right and communicated it amazingly”.
Santiago Moringa,
Founder and CEO
Kudos
This project won the Best of Web Design Award from the Association for Education
in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).
Thank you for your time
Inspirus Consulting, Inc.
A case study
for a divine website redesign
Overview
Inspirus Consulting, Inc. is a human resources firm that helps its clients address complex
issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion with proprietary methods and content.
My Role
Research
Product Design
UX Design
Visual Design
Project Goals
Engage/attract clients
Introduce new content
Update website
Team
PM: Allen
Designer: Gary
Developer: Jeff
Developer: Arvil
Problem
The CEO of Inspirus Consulting wondered why there was no traffic to his company’s website.
He asked me to look into it and propose a solution that would fix it.
Research
To start, I conducted an audit of the original website, including analytics, visual design,
and content evaluation.
Existing Website
Research
My review pinpoints the top 7 reasons why users
do not stay or return to the website.
Research
I conducted qualitative interviews to see what partners thought would help consumers return and engage with the site.
Users are those who are on the site for more than 30 minutes per day or use the site professionally and can offer valuable insights into the use, pain points, and intuitiveness of the site as part of the content review.
Interviews
with
Partners
Interviews
with
CEO
Meetings
with
Developers
Interviews
Partner interviews gave valuable tips and insights that added value to the online experience.
Partners are various disciplines of HR professionals who work through the site. They give their insights into their niche areas and add value by offering users online help, ending “empty” visits where nothing is learned or achieved.
Coaching
Consumers need
consistent coaching
to be successful.
Benchmarking
Consumers need
help to manage and
reach goals.
Freebies!
Valuable insights
offered regularly.
Define the Solution
To solve this problem, I redesigned the website with a new content strategy, and new visual design, to introduce the world to the new content.
I started with information architecture, and page
flow to design a solution with 11 pages of new engaging experiences.
New information architecture, page flows, and wireframes of page designs give the website clarity.
Wireframe page sketches
Design Strategy
Funneling traffic on the website directs clients to
take action that will achieve the company's goals.
Using keynote speeches, teaching sessions, and other services, to raise awareness and pique interest influences decision-making, and leads to new clients.
Visual Design
The landing page makes an attention-getting provocative statement that invites investigation.
The only constant is change. So, your organization better have an answer when the inevitable change comes. Better yet, how can your organization become an agent of change in diversity, equity, and inclusion? Here’s how. Here’s how.
We don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we face a challenge.
Page designs
Each page redesign provokes engagement.
Teasing is a literary tool that entices the user to venture further rather than just turning away.
A quiz at the end of the page further intrigues the user by challenging him/her to a game of
“How are you doing in diversity?” and then there is a call to action and a quiz to encourage further engagement. All pages were redesigned with this format.
Diversity page redesign mockup
Pages
The “About” page is where your humble
brags belong.
The ‘About’ page is designed to further engage the user and allows you to talk about your unique qualifications, interests, and skills that add value to the experience, and humanize your organization.
This is irresistible to true believers and casual users alike. If the user gets this far, they are interested in you. So, let them know why deciding to use your company is the best decision ever.
About page redesign mockup
About page mockup
Pages
Inspirius’ robust client list, over 50 strong, speaks volumes about the skill and expertise of the firm without saying a word.
Display this list of clients proudly, and prominently to let the users draw their own conclusions about your worth based on the company you keep. You can also feature the client lists, logos, or testimonials in a scroll.
Client page redesign mockup
Outcomes
After weeks of interviews, gathering data, and creative problem-solving, I designed a solution that is both elegant and engaging.
and the CEO was thrilled with the result.
Gary is both thoughtful and creative. His ability to have
a conversation, conceptualize a design, and deliver my brand message is nothing short of amazing. I've hired Gary to provide input on my website and he always delivers. My business is my baby and I trust Gary to provide Thought Leadership on how I keep my brand fresh and relevant.
Al Sullivan
CEO Inspirus
