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The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is the official metropolitan planning organization and regional planning commission for the seven-county southeastern Wisconsin area.
The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission needed a new website and an easy-to-use content management system that could track, organize, and maintain databases of committee memberships, calendars, and reports. Its previous website was cluttered and text-heavy, making it difficult for users to scan and find key information.
The Northwoods UX team redesigned the website with a focus on engaging users and presenting dense information in a way that is structured, on brand, and visually appealing. We developed the site on Titan CMS, an enterprise content management system powered by Northwoods. Titan CMS allows the Commission to assign content editing permissions to various individuals, while enabling the webmaster to provide oversight.
The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission had a lot of content but very few images to work with, which presented a unique design challenge. We needed to create a layout that was visually engaging without relying heavily on imagery. To ensure that users would not feel overwhelmed by the amount of information, our UX designers focused on making content digestible and easy to scan.
We designed the mobile experience with usability and readability in mind. All elements stack seamlessly to fit smaller screens, ensuring a smooth and intuitive layout without unnecessary clutter. We paid special attention to spacing, alignment, and proportions so that content remains easy to scan, whether users are skimming quickly or diving into details.
Our UX designers leveraged strong typography, strategic use of whitespace, and a well-structured layout to naturally guide users through the information. We incorporated clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points that break up large blocks of text, making it easier for users to find key details at a glance.
Additionally, we introduced subtle design elements—such as color blocks, dividers, and iconography—to add visual interest and hierarchy without overwhelming the page. By carefully balancing text density with thoughtful spacing and contrast, we maintained website readability across different devices, especially on mobile.
From initial prototypes through development, Northwoods prioritized WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility—implementing best practices like strong color contrast, clear headings, and keyboard navigation—and thoroughly tested code and content to ensure compliance at launch.
The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission now has a fully redesigned website equipped with a variety of design elements that enhance functionality, accessibility, and visual appeal. The new layout provides flexibility, allowing content to be presented in a way that is engaging, well-structured, and easy to navigate.
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