The Poppin Joe Style Guide
A strong brand relies on consistency. For the Poppin Joe business, that meant creating clear guidelines for voice, design, and communication across all platforms. The style guide was not just a rulebook—it was a roadmap to asserting an authentic and professional presence. Accessibility was a top priority, especially when addressing language around individuals with disabilities. Every design and wording decision was made with inclusivity in mind.
I designed the guide on Wix to make it easy to navigate. However, designing for both desktop and mobile was more challenging than expected. Early drafts did not account for formatting differences, so I had to adjust the mobile version to ensure a smooth experience across all devices. It emphasized the need to test content across different devices, such as mobile, desktop, and laptop.
Through this project, I gained valuable experience in brand management. My experience working with style guides at BJC HealthCare and the American Academy of Neurology gave me a solid foundation to build on. More than anything, this project deepened my appreciation for consistency. Every small design or wording choice shapes how an audience perceives a brand.
Usability Test for Website navigation
A well-designed website should guide users seamlessly, but many fail at this basic task. This usability test evaluated a faith-based website, tracking how five participants navigated its interface to complete three specific tasks. The study documented completion times, decision making processes, and challenges, offering clear insights into usability issues. The final memo outlines key findings and recommendations for improvements.
Conducting a usability test for the first time had a steep learning curve. Getting participants to vocalize their thoughts while navigating the website was difficult, so I adjusted my approach to prompt more structured feedback. Refining my approach by periodically asking the tester to verbalize their thoughts after the first round of testing elicited more feedback from testers.
I viewed setbacks as opportunities for growth, not failures, which made the project even more rewarding. While my research provided a solid framework, adapting to each tester throughout the process was just as important. This project reinforced the importance of flexibility and seeing challenges as opportunities for growth.
Freelance Comprehensive Editing Project for St. Andrew’s Assisted Living of Bridgeton
This freelance editing project involved refining an assisted living brochure packet, requiring a mix of copyediting, global editing, and design adjustments to enhance clarity, consistency, and accessibility. The goal was more than just fixing errors, it was about ensuring the document effectively communicated with its audience of residents and their families.
The project began with a proposal outlining the document’s purpose and audience, which served as a guide for revisions. As the work progressed, content was streamlined for simplicity, and design elements were adjusted for readability. One challenge was trying to be consistent in editing choices across multiple sections, which I resolved by keeping a detailed record of all revisions.
Having prior experience with assisted living facilities helped me predict the needs of the intended audience. This project reinforced a key lesson: while client goals matter, user needs should always take priority. Thoughtful editing is not just about improving text, it is about enhancing communication to make it clear, accessible, and effective.
Instructional Materials for Cleaning
Dog Ears
Good instructions turn a complicated task into something simple and repeatable. This project focused on creating instructional materials for proper Basset Hound ear care, including a print guide, an instructional video, and a transmittal email. The step-by-step guide followed key design principles, using a mix of text and visuals for clarity. The video showed the process in action, reinforcing the written instructions, while the transmittal email provided a context for my deliverables.
Designing user-friendly instructions was not about knowing the topic—it required careful formatting and clear communication. Microsoft Word’s limited design capabilities created formatting issues upon submission, forcing a shift to PDF to keep consistency. This experience underscored the importance of choosing the right tools rather than defaulting to familiar ones.
A background in video editing helped streamline the instructional video. With my past experiences in video editing, I prioritized smooth transitions with each step. This project was a good reminder that effective instructions are not about being concise. Usability comes from thoughtful choices such as writing simple imperative sentences and good flow in print and video so that the audience is engaged and informed.