West Sound Academy
We loved working with West Sound Academy, a small independent college preparatory school located on a wooded, twenty-acre campus overlooking Liberty Bay in Poulsbo, Washington. West Sound Academy serves students in grades six through twelve, offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in the junior and senior years.
Objective
West Sound asked us to redesign the website with new home page messaging, and a new design for subpages using their existing content. We also helped them rework their site map and created redirects for content that was removed or changed.
Our goals were to refresh the home page messaging, improve the look and usability of subpages, and update the overall design and functionality while retaining the existing content. We also helped rework the site architecture, cleaning up outdated content and creating redirects to maintain usability and SEO value.
Our key tasks were to:
- Redesign the website with refreshed home page messaging
- Create new subpage layouts using existing content
- Reorganize the site map and apply redirects for removed content
- Update the color palette and logo for a more modern, cohesive look
- Implement technical improvements and backend cleanup
Approach
Our approach began with a deep dive into West Sound Academy’s existing site structure and messaging. We collaborated with the school to identify key features and differentiators to highlight on the home page, crafting a layout that balanced strong visual elements with clear calls to action.
We updated the color palette to reflect the natural surroundings of the school, and made a subtle enhancement to the logo by incorporating a secondary color and emphasizing the lowercase type style. For interior pages, we used Beaver Builder to create reusable subpage templates with sidebar navigation, ensuring design consistency and ease of use. We also cleaned up the WordPress back end, removing redundant content and optimizing the site for improved performance.
Our approach was to:
- Collaborate with the school to prioritize key messaging and page goals
- Develop a new home page design with parallax imagery and bold typography
- Highlight the school’s global outlook and IB program using thematic visuals and language
- Create subpage templates using Beaver Builder with consistent layout and sidebar navigation
- Update the color palette and logo to reflect the school’s setting and branding
- Optimize performance by cleaning up unused content and improving load speed
Outcome
The refreshed West Sound Academy website is now visually appealing, easy to navigate, and fully reflective of the school’s unique offerings. The updated home page draws visitors in with compelling messaging and a clean, modern design that showcases the school’s commitment to global education and community. The redesigned subpages provide a consistent and accessible experience, while backend optimizations ensure better performance and easier maintenance. With improved navigation and a more engaging visual identity, the website is now better positioned to support enrollment and communication goals.
Working with the team at West Sound Academy we were able to provide:
- A more modern and engaging home page with improved messaging and design
- Consistent subpage layouts for a better user experience
- Enhanced branding with updated color palette and logo adjustment
- Faster site speed and improved backend organization
- A refreshed online presence that reflects West Sound Academy’s values and programs
Before
New Website
