America’s Job Link Alliance - Technical Support
UX/UI Designer
Worked at America’s Job Link Alliance - Technical Support as a contract UX/UI Designer. I am highlighting two case studies for their products I designed. Learn more, ajla.net
Case Studies:
America’s JobLink, Redesign
JobLink Mobile App, Design
Products
America’s JobLink: A web-based, all-in-one labor exchange and case management solution for workforce development organizations, America’s JobLink (AJL) offers advanced features to maximize job center efficiency and improve employment outcomes. AJL is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Veterans’ Priority of Service, and maintains network security aligned with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) moderate control standards. AJL is also kept up-to-date with all federal and state mandates at no additional charge.
JobLink Mobile: The job search mobile app is designed to complement America’s JobLink as a free, user-friendly app for job seekers. Available on both Google Play and the App Store, the job search app is easy to download and use from any Android or Apple device. With just a few taps, job seekers can view, save, and share jobs from across the state.
America’s JobLink
Redesign
Overview
A comprehensive, web-based workforce development system for job seekers, employers, training providers, and workforce professionals. A self-service labor exchange, JobLink, provides a powerful state job bank plus intuitive tools and resources that empower job seekers to explore career pathways, reducing the demands on staff in American Job Centers (AJCs). JobLink leverages the O*NET system, the nation's primary source of occupational information, to deliver highly relevant and precise job and resume matches. JobLink is fully integrated with AJL’s case management section, ServiceLink, which determines eligibility for state and federal programs. This integration allows job seekers and employers to move seamlessly from self-service activities to receiving help from their local AJC.
Problem
As a contract UX/UI Designer I was brought into America’s Job Link Alliance-Technical Support (AJLA-TS) to spearhead the redesign for America’s JobLink. I was the first designer to define the visual design and to restructure content during their years long process of updating the code base for the system. Concerns I needed to address were following WCAG 2.0 guidelines for the government sites. I strategized content that needed to be reorganized on the homepage and other top level pages to help the users find their relevant information. I created custom graphic elements to help users navigate when they landed on the site. I defined elements and sections in the system to customize on the site to reflect the individual state workforce brand.
Design Process
After evaluating user requirements and business needs for the JobLink product, I researched objectives by gathering user feedback, analytic metrics, and legacy system functions to problem solve and layout a path to improve user experience and present to stakeholders for review and approval. I mocked up a new homepage and front facing content strategy which lead to better awareness for the three user groups: Job Seeker, Employer and Training Providers. I designed custom graphics and illustrations. I made sure to be WCAG 2.0 compliant while setting up style guides and designing the system. I restructured content, and designed navigational components for the web-based application. After approval of final designs from a large group of stakeholders from the cons, I communicated designs and user interface needs to the developers via written documentation and visual prototypes using Adobe XD.
Solution
The visual foundation I created while redesigning and restructuring JobLink was successful. Providing a user friendly experience showcasing how design and designing thinking processes can help a product become easier to use. A few participating state sites:
Press Release, Governor Laura Kelly Announces new KANSASWORKS.com Site to Connect Job Seekers with Kansas Employers
Accessibility Audit Documentation
LoFi Wireframe
Documentation for Customizable State Brand Elements
Old Homepage
New Homepage HiFi Design
JobLink Mobile App
Initial Design
Overview
While contracting with AJLA–TS I was tasked to design a user-friendly job search mobile app to support KANSASWORKS.com, funded by a Workforce Innovation Fund Grant within 5 months. This mobile app design then became the new product, JobLink Mobile App for AJLA to market to other states.
Design Process
I started collecting requirements from KansasWorks.com leadership. I created flow documentation and design mock ups to start the foundation of the design in Adobe XD. Initiated quick stakeholder review process and approvals. I created a custom loading page graphic to broadly represent the states rural and technology areas. After final approvals I worked alongside an app developer daily to quickly and efficiently review the app in development so we could hit our timeline. I head a focus group session with the target age group of youth, 18-24 years to compile feedback to adjust app before release. I designed the marketing materials for the app store designs.
Solution
It was a fun experience developing a new job search mobile app for the state. I’m proud of how quickly and effectively we were able to produce an app that looked good and helps Kansans find work easily from their device. The success of the app shows as AJLA decided to add this product to their suite of services. Working one on one with a talented developer who was receptive and communicated quickly was a wonderful experience.
App Flow Documentation
Screen Documentation
Marketing Design
App Store Marketing Design