WordPress Template Website Redesign for Research Facility
JP Vergara
Overview
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.
Role & Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities:
Homepage design conceptualization and execution
Visual design system development
Theme selection and customization guidance
Development team collaboration and support
Design consistency oversight across subpages
Collaborative Process:
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
Strategy
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
Template Selection & Customization
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
Development Collaboration
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
Key Design Elements
Visual Identity
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
User Experience Enhancements
Streamlined navigation structure
Mobile-first responsive design approach
Improved content accessibility
Clear call-to-action placement throughout the site
Content Architecture
Organized information hierarchy for easy content discovery
Research-focused content presentation
Stakeholder-specific content pathways
Optimized page load performance
Projects Page
Single project page layout
Technical Implementation
Platform: WordPress
Theme Source: ThemeForest
Customization Level: Moderate to extensive template modification
Responsive Design: Mobile-first approach
Performance: Optimized for fast loading and SEO
Results & Impact
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
Key Takeaways
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!
Like this project
Posted Jun 4, 2025
Led design and assisted with the development for P.I.E.R.'s new website, increasing the visibility of both research projects and press mentions.
