The Challenge

CCE approached me with several key challenges:

1. Their existing website wasn't effectively communicating complex economic information

2. They needed a more modern, visually appealing design to engage visitors

3. The site structure wasn't intuitive for users seeking specific information

4. They wanted to highlight recent developments in Canadian economic corridors

5. Their call-to-action for newsletter signups wasn't performing well

My Design Approach

Modern, Clean Aesthetic

I implemented a complete visual overhaul featuring:

• A professional dark blue navigation header that frames each page

• Clean white content areas for improved readability

• Strategic use of high-quality imagery related to Canadian infrastructure and economy

• Consistent spacing and typography throughout the site

• Subtle background map elements to reinforce the national focus

Intuitive Navigation Structure

I restructured the site with a streamlined main navigation:

• Home

• News

• Remove Barriers

• Corridors

• Benefits

• Newsletter Subscription (prominent button)

Content Organization

Looking at the new pages I created:

1. Home Page: Features a hero section with a compelling headline and mountain/railway imagery that symbolizes connection and infrastructure. Below, I organized content into clear sections addressing small business concerns, cost of living, supply chains, and inflation.

2. Benefits Page: Created a card-based layout with six clear categories of economic benefits, each with its own section and relevant imagery. I used checkmark bullets to make the points scannable and easy to digest.

3. Corridors Page: Designed a clean presentation of the consolidated approach to infrastructure with partner logos and four key benefit areas (Regulatory Compliance, Environmental Stewardship, Cost Efficiency, and Enhanced Connectivity), each with supporting checkpoints.

4. Remove Barriers Page: Incorporated data visualizations showing the economic impact of removing trade barriers, including provincial flags with statistics, maps highlighting trade blockages, and clear, impactful statements like "United we prosper, divided we pay."

5. News Page: Created a grid layout of news cards with consistent formatting, clear dates, headlines, and relevant images for each news item. I organized them chronologically to showcase the latest developments.

Key Design Elements

Data Visualization

One of my primary challenges was making complex economic data accessible. I created:

• Clean statistical displays with clear typography for key figures

• Province-by-province breakdowns with consistent styling

• Map-based visualizations showing trade barriers and potential corridors

• A consistent system of icons and checkmarks to indicate benefits

Responsive Card System

I developed a flexible card-based content system that:

• Maintains visual consistency across different content types

• Scales appropriately for mobile devices

• Uses imagery effectively to break up text

• Creates clear visual hierarchy for scanning content

Color System

I refined CCE's existing brand colors:

• Dark blue for headers, navigation, and footers

• White content areas for readability

• Strategic use of red for call-to-action buttons

• Green accents to highlight positive economic impacts

• Maintained the blue and green elements from their logo throughout the site

Improved Call-to-Action

I redesigned their newsletter signup:

• Consistent placement in the footer of every page

• Additional prominent button in the navigation

• Clean, simple form with clear subscription button

• Engaging "Join Our Mailing List" heading

Technical Implementation

I built the site using:

• A mobile-responsive framework

• Clean, semantic HTML5

• Custom CSS for all design elements

• Optimized images for fast loading

• Framer as the site editor (as indicated in the footer)

Results

The redesigned website has successfully:

• Created a more professional, trustworthy appearance for CCE

• Made complex economic information more accessible

• Provided clear pathways for users to explore different aspects of the organization's mission

• Highlighted recent developments in Canadian economic corridors

• Improved newsletter signup visibility and conversion

Lessons from the Project

Working on this project reinforced several important web design principles:

1. Visual hierarchy is crucial - Using consistent heading styles, card layouts, and image treatments helps guide the user through complex information.

2. White space creates clarity - The clean, spacious layout helps prevent information overload despite the complex economic content.

3. Consistency builds trust - Using the same visual language across all pages creates a cohesive, professional experience.

4. Images tell the story - Strategic use of infrastructure imagery reinforces the organization's mission without requiring additional explanation.

The CCE website redesign demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform complex policy information into an engaging, accessible digital experience. By focusing on clear organization, consistent visual elements, and strategic use of imagery, I was able to create a site that effectively communicates CCE's mission of connecting Canada's economy.

If you're interested in discussing a website redesign for your organization, I'd be happy to explore how we can transform your digital presence. Contact me to start the conversation.