Employment New Zealand
Client
Employment NZ
Services
Visual Design UI & UX Design
Industries
Government
Date
2023
Challenge
Employment New Zealand’s website faced significant usability issues that hindered its effectiveness. The cluttered layout, complex navigation, and buried key information made it difficult for users to find what they needed. Content was overly formal and lengthy, leaving users confused and frustrated. On mobile, the lack of features like breadcrumbs and poorly optimised menus exacerbated the problem, often leading users to seek help elsewhere. These challenges limited the site’s ability to serve as a trusted resource for employment guidance in Aotearoa.
Approach
To address these issues, we reorganised content, simplified navigation, and improved search functionality to provide clearer and more relevant results. Wireframes were developed to map out user journeys and identify the necessary components for an optimal experience. These prototypes were tested with users to validate the design. Additionally, the site’s design was refreshed with a cleaner layout, concise content, better mobile navigation, and easier access to tools and resources. These improvements ensured the website could meet the needs of Aotearoa’s diverse communities.
Impact
I led the concept design phase, modernising the visual identity with patterns inspired by Māori tukutuku designs to reflect the cultural diversity of Aotearoa while enhancing visual appeal. These patterns, paired with a refreshed design, transformed dense, text-heavy pages into more engaging and accessible content. The updated Employment New Zealand website is now a welcoming, user-friendly platform where visitors can easily access reliable employment information. By addressing previous usability challenges, the site has become a trusted and inclusive resource for all.
