Services
Creative Direction, Research
Year
2017
plainlanguage.gov
Project details
I directed the redesign of plainlanguage.gov, an online resource for civil servants and government agencies.
We’re very grateful for how the website has come together, the look and feel, and all of the work [18F] did to make it what it is.
Plain language is a crucial and often overlooked part of designing for accessibility. It’s particularly important in government, where there’s a long history of using language to limit understanding, civic participation, and access to social services.
When I was a civil servant at 18F, colleagues at the General Services Administration started the 10x innovation fund. I pitched the idea that we should make plainlanguage.gov more modern (read: better navigation, responsive design, bigger type, fresh examples). I saw the guidelines as a critical government resource that could benefit a broad audience, including writers, program managers, and policymakers across the country.
We got approval for two weeks of investigation, and worked closely with the Plain Language Action and Information Network to understand their needs and make the case for more funding. Ultimately, we had about two months for research, prototyping, design refinements, and relaunching the site. I led interviews, a design workshop, and usability sessions to inform the visual design and information architecture.
In 2020, Katherine Spivey invited me to share the whole story at the Federal Plain Language Summit. Learn more in my talk, Putting Plain Language to the Test, and in our interview about the launch.
