Encore Learning
Design TLC recently launched a new website for Encore Learning, a membership nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia, which offers courses, clubs and events for people over age 50.
The former website was very outdated and was not responsive. The logo also needed an upgrade as well.
Updated Logo Block
We presented some options for the logo which kept the “swoosh” element, in order to maintain consistency. We flipped the swoosh, so it mimicks a lower case “e” for Encore, and changed the typeface to have more personality and to make the logo block look more professional. We also updated the color palette to be more vibrant and modern. The new logo is a vector image, so it is very crisp and the gradient more elegant.
New Website Design and Improvements
The old website was hard to navigate and didn’t work well on tablet and mobile devices. Many members use an iPad to access the internet, so the iPad layout was very important in the new website design. We paid attention to color contrast and type size, and added the Userway plugin to allow users to turn on accessibility features as needed. The new website presents the information in a more user-friendly way, as the client worked with their volunteers to refine the messaging, navigation and website architecture.
Customized Online Registration Website Header and Style
In addition to updating and improving the main website, we also helped customize the look and feel of the class management software used by Encore Learning, called ASAP. By adding the new logo and customizing the style code as much as allowed in ASAP, the class registration website is better matched to the new website.
We were honored to help this educational organization improve their online presence and make their website easier for their members to use! They had a great committee of volunteers who participated in the process, and we helped teach them about SEO, mobile responsive design and other website concepts. It was great to have an engaged group participating in the process of this website improvement project!
Objective
- Modernize Branding: Update the Encore Learning logo to be more professional, vibrant, and scalable while maintaining brand recognition.
- Improve Website Usability: Redesign the outdated, non-responsive website to enhance navigation, accessibility, and mobile/tablet functionality, particularly for iPad users.
- Enhance Online Registration Experience: Customize the ASAP class management system to better align with the new website’s branding and style.
Approach
- Logo Redesign & Brand Refresh
- Retained the recognizable “swoosh” element for consistency.
- Flipped the swoosh to resemble a lowercase “e” for Encore while updating the typography for a more polished, professional look.
- Introduced a modern, vibrant color palette and created a vector version of the logo for crisp scaling and an elegant gradient.
- Website Redesign & Accessibility Enhancements
- Developed a fully responsive website that works seamlessly across all devices, with a strong emphasis on iPad usability.
- Focused on color contrast, type size, and readability, ensuring an accessible user experience.
- Integrated the UserWay accessibility plugin, allowing users to enable additional features as needed.
- Collaborated with Encore Learning’s volunteers to refine messaging, navigation, and website structure, making information easier to find.
- Customizing the Online Registration Platform
- Updated the class management system (ASAP) to match the new website’s branding by adding the refreshed logo and styling.
- Applied customized CSS styling to improve consistency between the registration platform and the main website.
Outcome
- Stronger Brand Identity: The new logo and color palette provide a more professional, engaging look, improving brand recognition.
- Enhanced User Experience: The redesigned website is now mobile and iPad-friendly, featuring improved navigation and accessibility, making it easier for members to access courses and events.
- Seamless Registration Process: The customized class management platform (ASAP) now visually aligns with the main website, offering a more cohesive and professional user experience.
- Empowered Team & Volunteers: Through collaboration, volunteers gained valuable insights into SEO, mobile-responsive design, and website best practices, ensuring long-term site success and usability.
