Nature-Based Solutions
2024-2025
Web Design, UI, Low-Code Development
Nature-Based Solutions
2024-2025
Web Design, UI, Low-Code Development
Nature-Based Solutions
2024-2025
Web Design, UI, Low-Code Development
Objective
I was given a Google Sites mockup for the Nature-Based Solutions page (and related pages) and asked to turn it into a fully designed, interactive hub. My goal was to make the content engaging, easy to navigate, and visually aligned with Seaside Sustainability’s brand.
The final page connects users to nature-based solution strategies across New England, organizing content into four major categories, dedicated state pages, and a centralized resources section.
Problem
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Converting a bare-bones Google Sites mockup into a fully designed, user-friendly interface.
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Balancing educational depth with readability and visual engagement.
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Structuring navigation so users could easily explore themes, states, and resources without feeling lost.
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Maintaining design consistency across multiple interconnected pages.
Goals
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Create a central hub for all New England nature-based solution content.
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Design interactive navigation between four solution categories and individual state pages.
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Incorporate a resources section with external toolkits and adaptation plans.
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Establish a color scheme and typography that aligns with Seaside’s branding.
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Make the layout fully responsive and easy to expand in the future.
Mockup
Solution
Structured Navigation & Layout
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Organized content into three tiers: Overview, State Profiles, and Resources. This established a clear hierarchy for the site's content.
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Added visual links to subpages for each state (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, etc.) and each category (Aquatic, Agriculture, Urban, Forestry), making the navigation intuitive.
Visual Branding & Color System
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Developed a calming green-based palette and typographic hierarchy (headings, subheads) to guide readers visually. This established a cohesive brand identity aligned with nature-based solutions.
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Enhanced the visual identity using consistent background tones and iconography, creating a professional and polished look across all pages.
Scannable, Educational Design
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Created modular sections for each solution theme with descriptive text, allowing users to quickly digest complex information.
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Formatted state profiles with map visuals and concise summaries to support quick reading and exploration of regional content.
Resources Integration
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Prominently featured a Resources section linking to adaptation tools like RAINE (Resilience and Adaptation in New England) and other external guides. This provided a centralized hub for practical user-focused content.
Impact Summary
Element | Original Mockup | Final Designed Pages |
|---|---|---|
Visual Appeal | Plain white background, minimal imagery, no brand styling | Branded color palette, high-quality images, and consistent iconography |
Navigation | Basic text links buried in body content | Clickable image cards and interactive map for quick navigation |
Content Structure | Long, uninterrupted text blocks | Modular sections with clear headings and concise descriptions |
Interactivity | No interactive features | Image-based buttons, hover states, and clickable maps |
Resources | Links embedded in paragraphs | Standalone resource page with visual callouts for key tools and guides |
Consistency | Layout varied between pages | Unified design system across hub, states, and resources |
Element | Original Mockup | Final Designed Pages |
|---|---|---|
Visual Appeal | Plain white background, minimal imagery, no brand styling | Branded color palette, high-quality images, and consistent iconography |
Outcome
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Delivered a cohesive, interactive hub connecting all Nature-Based Solutions content.
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Transformed static, text-heavy mockups into engaging, branded pages that invite exploration.
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Improved navigation with image cards, clickable maps, and clear CTAs.
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Created a scalable framework for adding more states, categories, and resources in the future.
