Central Michigan Recovery and Education Network
Concept Development | User Experience | Project Management | Branding
Central Michigan Recovery and Education Network is a non-profit that connects organizations around Central Michigan focused on substance use disorder recovery and education.
They approached us for a new website, and we delivered them a re-imagined brand identity system.
Project Management
For the duration of this project, I acted as the project manager for my team, heading all email communications, leading client meetings, and managing administrative forms.
Clear Audiences
While auditing CMREN’s website and assets, we recognized the client needed a clear understanding of who they are communicating to and their individual goals.
To simplify CMREN’s messaging, we broke these audiences into two groups.
CMREN’s website is built with content relevant to the primary audience, but if a user visits their website while searching for recovery resources, a “Need Recovery Services?” tab is available in the navigation with direct links to recovery services.
Sustainable Branding
While CMREN approached us to help them with their website, we quickly realized their actual need: a clear, consistent brand identity system.
To build a consistent brand identity, we presented four conceptual systems.
After meeting with the client and their stakeholders, we moved forward with an iteration of “Connections for Lasting Recovery.”
To serve as a centerpiece of the new brand identity system, I prototyped a live brand guideline website using HTML and CSS to serve the client after the project concluded.
A Clear Web Experience
CMREN’s website had evolved into a place for our client to publish information with little organization or structure, leading to content becoming hidden on the website.
Existing Sitemap
Our team audited CMREN’s existing sitemap to identify opportunities for clarity.
Our recommendation included a simplified sitemap, elevating key information and using a “News” section as a home for posting articles and resources relevant to their separate audiences.
Sustainable Newsletters
Our client publishes monthly newsletters as a way to keep network administrators up to date on grant opportunities, resources, and upcoming events.
Existing Newsletter
CMREN’s current newsletters had become overfilled with information, making it difficult to quickly skim.
CMREN’s current newsletters had become overfilled with information, making it difficult to quickly skim.
Recommended Newsletter
To maintain a consistent, sustainable newsletter system, I developed a branded template using editable “saved blocks” in the software our client was familiar with.
To maintain a consistent, sustainable newsletter system, I developed a branded template using editable “saved blocks” in the software our client was familiar with.
