Project Brief

The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services website was not keeping up with technology nor was it providing content and services in an efficient manner. The redesign focused on the following:

• Provide an up to date user interface
• Be completely responsive.
• Be easy to update and maintain.
• Provide quick access to RFP data.

A new brand for ITS

The project started with a complete re-branding effort that went through dozens of iterations. I started the redesign by doing a photoshoot of the new ITS building interior and exterior. The new logo that I created was inspired by elements from the new ITS building that I captured in my photos. I also created business cards and letterhead with the new brand. The new logo and photography were then used to create a visual design for the new site.

Above: Photo I took of the new ITS building and the new ITS logo based off the window pattern of the building.

One of the first responsive SharePoint Sites

Once the branding was in place, I worked with ITS to perform a full content audit and review as well as a comprehensive discovery. I then created mocks that showed the new structure, which were quickly approved. I then built out the new design within the SharePoint 2010 content management system.

As one of the core goals of the project was to be responsive, I had to work through several technical constraints in order to  get the new site to not only work in SharePoint, but be 100% responsive. The end result was the new ITS site was one of the first externally-facing responsive SharePoint sites in the world.

Easy to maintain

I was able to use several of the features of SharePoint, such as data query webparts, custom lists, and workflows, to create easy to maintain content functionality. Agency employees could then use these features to update RFP data and other site content quickly and without technical knowledge of the system.

User Training

Once the site went live, I trained the ITS staff to maintain the site via in-class and written training materials. I also provided ongoing technical support for the agency to help them transition to the new site.

Above: Excerpts from user training documentation that I created.

Site designed and built while at Mississippi Interactive for the State of Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, 2012.