cabedge.com

Even for small projects, our production crew wouldn't want to work without the help of our expert project managers. But, when they've got to complete the work for nine different web presences in about half a year we're especially glad we've got some project management pros on our team. Our project management team showed their true ninja-like organizational skills with this one. We were also fortunate to have our contacts at the Upper Room, Terrie Thompson and David Day, give us superb support from the client side. It was truly a textbook example of how speed and quality can both be at their highest levels when the right people are managing the processes from all points.

We began work on each of the separate websites with a strategy meeting. We met with the key stakeholders for each website and immediately dug into the business needs, hopes and dreams for that project. It took plenty of discussion, sticky-notes, and whiteboard drawings, but by the end of each meeting we had developed a solid direction and structure for each site that everyone could agree upon.

These meetings required us to only make minimal revisions to the sitemaps we initially developed and allowed us to get to work on the rest of the process right away.

These meetings also facilitated the discovery of a key decision. We chose to utilize a single, consistent footer for each of the sites. This allows the Upper Room to present multiple brands while making sure their visitors always know they're at an Upper Room web property.

One of the major goals for the Upper Room's main website and their affiliate sites was to update the user experience of each. Knowing that each site was going to get a new content management system (built by our friends and colleagues over at centresource.com) we were able to completely start from scratch with each site experience.

More than just brochure websites, the Upper Room sites required unique experiences such as a multi-paned stained glass window, a story-rich wood carving, and an interactive map of the world. Finally, a mere 100+ wireframes later, we had all the page experiences we needed.

We ended up designing a total of eight separate websites, after realizing that two of their sites needed to be consolidated into one. We worked hard to give each site its own look and feel while making sure each had an aesthetic connection to the other sites we were designing for them.

We were even able to utilize a consistent footer on each site while making sure the footer still matched the look of each respective site.

UPPER ROOM

We began with the mother of all the sites: upperroom.org. The design of this site would provide the basis for all the rest, so it was the best place to start. To fit with their new business goals we designed a space that make their print publications the hero of the homepage and make ordering them far easier than before.

CHAPEL & CHRISTIAN ARTS MUSEUM

As one of the sub-domain sites we stay close to the design aesthetic established for the main Upper Room site. Previously, the Chapel and Museum were completely incorporated in the the .org site. However, this new site gives them their own unified web presence and visual identity. This site has some really great interactive features, be sure to check out the Last Supper Carving and World Christian Fellowship Window in the chapel.

INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

Another sub-domained website off the main site, the Intentional site quickly communicates its focus and key functionality with a beautiful world map. We made sure the interface quickly lets users find the edition of the Upper Room publication specific to their country and language.

LIVING PRAYER CENTER

As the last of the sub-domianed websites within the Upper Room main site, The Living Prayer Center allows visitors to post prayer requests as one of its major functions. We designed a modal drop-down form that allows this key function to be available from the main navigation on any page of the site. We also incorporated content from their former MethodX site that featured different methods of prayer. As an additional part of the design process, we also explored and created a new logo for them.

WALK TO EMMAUS

Both the Walk to Emmaus, for adults, and Chrysalis, for teens and young adults, are managed by the Upper Room. We kept many of the user interface styles established on the other sites but had more freedom to establish a look and feel that allow this site to share some visual elements all its own. We also designed an interactive map for finding events happening near you.

CHRYSALIS

This site is directed to a teen and young adult audience but has virtually the same structure and goals of its parent program, Walk to Emmaus. Nevertheless, it needs its own look for their audience. A simple matter of making the right color and typeface choices gives them just the look they need.

COMPANIONS IN CHRIST

With a heavy focus on a book and devotional series published by the Upper Room, Companions in Christ continues many of the user interface elements established for the family of sites. However, we modified it with a special scrolling function to feature books from the series. We also reflect some of the design associated with the print publications in the website's design.

THE ACADEMY FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION

The Academy's site focuses on both their long-term and short-term events that train Spiritual Leaders. Not only does the Academy site incorporate many of the same aesthetic elements established on The Upper Room site, but it also incorporates design elements from some of their print collateral. Additionally, we include a re-concieved and redesigned online application process for those interested in the Academy.