WordPress Template Website Redesign for Research Facility

Project: WordPress template website redesign

Client: Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research (P.I.E.R. - pier.org), is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Oceanside, California, dedicated to advancing sustainable fisheries management.

Issue: As a research-focused environmental organization, P.I.E.R. needed a modern, professional web presence that could effectively communicate their mission, showcase their research initiatives, and engage with both the scientific community and the general public.

Homepage design conceptualization and execution

Visual design system development

Theme selection and customization guidance

Development team collaboration and support

Design consistency oversight across subpages

Worked closely with the development team to ensure design integrity

Provided detailed design specifications and assets

Supported the implementation of the chosen ThemeForest template

Maintained design consistency across all subpages

The homepage design focused on:

Clear Mission Communication: Prominent positioning of P.I.E.R.'s environmental research mission

Professional Credibility: Clean, scientific aesthetic that builds trust with researchers and stakeholders

User Journey Optimization: Intuitive navigation paths for different audience segments

Visual Hierarchy: Strategic use of typography, color, and whitespace to guide user attention

Selected an appropriate WordPress theme from ThemeForest that aligned with the organization's needs

Customized the template to match the homepage design vision

Ensured responsive design principles across all devices

Maintained consistency with the established visual identity

Created detailed design specifications for the development team

Provided ongoing design support during the build process

Conducted design reviews to ensure subpages reflected the homepage aesthetic

Facilitated smooth handoff between design and development phases

Clean, professional color palette reflecting environmental themes

Typography choices that enhance readability and scientific credibility

Consistent use of imagery that supports the research mission

Strategic whitespace utilization for improved content digestion

Streamlined navigation structure

Mobile-first responsive design approach

Improved content accessibility

Clear call-to-action placement throughout the site

Organized information hierarchy for easy content discovery

Research-focused content presentation

Stakeholder-specific content pathways

Optimized page load performance

Platform: WordPress

Theme Source: ThemeForest

Customization Level: Moderate to extensive template modification

Responsive Design: Mobile-first approach

Performance: Optimized for fast loading and SEO

Modern, professional web presence that accurately represents P.I.E.R.'s mission

Improved user experience across all devices

Scalable WordPress foundation for future content growth

Enhanced visual consistency across all pages

Stronger online credibility for research initiatives

Improved stakeholder engagement capabilities

Foundation for future digital marketing efforts

Easier content management for the organization

Importance of maintaining design consistency when working with development teams

Value of thorough template selection in WordPress projects

Critical role of clear communication in design handoff processes

Benefits of designing with the organization's specific mission and audience in mind

Overall, this was a great project with a mix of Oceanlife visuals that were fun to play around with!