Designing for Impact
01 Design is never static
Being able to pivot with evolving content is a must in mission-driven spaces.
02 User research is essential Listening closely led to more empathetic, useful designs.
03 Equity starts with access
Even the smallest design decisions can have the biggest impact on how seen or supported someone feels.
Designing for J*Crow reminded me that inclusive UX isn't just about checking accessibility boxes—it's about
co-creating tools that respect lived experiences and reduce barriers. This project strengthened my ability to
lead with empathy while delivering clear, structured solutions under real-world constraints.
How might we design a professional yet approachable website for formerly incarcerated women that is accessible and intuitive for users often overlooked by traditional digital tools?
Our primary goal was to deliver a WCAG-compliant, mobile-friendly site that demystifies J*Crow’s services and invites users to engage without cognitive overload.
What We’re up Against
Women impacted by the U.S. criminal justice system, particularly Black women and Women of Color, face significant reentry barriers including limited access to financial, educational, and legal resources. While J*Crow aimed to develop a digital platform to address these challenges, their audience includes users with limited digital access and trust in institutions.
Groundwork and Insights
TARGET AUDIENCE
Black girls, women, and non-binary individuals affected by rape culture, misogyny, and systemic injustice.
Women of Color disproportionately impacted by racial profiling, mass incarceration, and police brutality.
Individuals facing health complications and economic barriers due to insufficient support systems.
ROLE
Co-Product & Design Manager
TIMELINE
May 2024 - Aug 2024
TOOLS
Figma, Notion
TEAM
2 Product/Design Managers
6 Designers
J*Crow is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic justice for Black women and Women of Color impacted by the U.S. criminal justice system. In partnership with Develop for Good, I led the product and design process to deliver a responsive website that supports users through education, application, and community resources.
As the Co-Product & Design Manager, I worked closely with the founder to translate her vision into a scalable, accessible digital platform.
J*Crow
Designing for Women of Color and their economic justice and empowerment.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
We audited 12 non-profit websites to understand successful strategies in design, structure, and messaging.
Key Insights:
Orange and black were common but often felt harsh; we prioritized a softer, welcoming palette.
Clear CTAs, inclusive copy, and mobile responsiveness were essential.
Few organizations directly addressed re-entry or economic transition (An opportunity for J*Crow)
USABILITY INTERVIEWS
We conducted 1:1 stakeholder interviews to understand:
First impressions of the site
Areas of cognitive overload
Readability and tone
"There's too much text at first glance... I couldn't focus on what mattered."
"Make it easier to understand the message—less formality, more support."
"Playful touches help, but it still needs to feel reliable and professional."
Home
Hero Section (Tagline, CTA, Visuals)
J*Crow’s Story (Why J*Crow, Theory of Change)
WOC, Money, and Legal System
Apply to Program
Mission, Vision, Values
Meet the Team
Partner with Us
Legal, Money, and Career Resources
Partner with Us
Donate
About Us
Resources
Get Involved
Email List CTA
The Problem
The Solution (J*Crow’s Initiatives, Stats/Metrics, FAQ)
Courses (with signup flow)
Community Connections (Slack, Peer Support)
Join Email List
Contact
Chaos to Clarity
Our early designs were content-heavy and overwhelming. To improve flow, we:
Broke down complex ideas (like the "Theory of Change") into visual chunks
Created a clear path from learning about J*Crow to applying for the program
Consolidated redundant pages to streamline navigation
We prioritized clarity, reducing choice paralysis, and ensuring intuitive user flows for both desktop and mobile.
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Button →
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Design Execution
STYLE GUIDE
We developed an accessible, modular design system with:
A soft but professional color palette
High-contrast elements meeting WCAG AA/AAA standards
Rounded buttons and headers for an approachable tone
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
Home: Introduces J*Crow's mission with a compelling CTA
About Us: Uses storytelling to build trust through the founder’s voice
Apply Online: A step-by-step guide for program applicants
Get Involved: Offers ways to join the community (Slack, courses, etc.)
Contact: Open channel for support and outreach
All components were designed mobile-first to support users with limited access to devices.
Adapting on the Fly
J*Crow's program offerings were still evolving during our design process. We adapted quickly to changes, iterating across:
Information hierarchy
Visual hierarchy (reworking contrast, spacing)
Dead-end buttons that needed future-proofing
This real-time collaboration taught me to balance flexibility with structure—building for now, while
anticipating what’s next.
The Vision Realized.
Building accessible pathways to reentry, education, and economic justice for Black women and Women of Color impacted by incarceration.
By the end of our 4-month project, we delivered:
Mobile- and desktop-optimized Figma prototype ready for development
Complete design system for future scalability
Restructured IA and accessible UI that reflect user needs
HOME
Introduces J*Crow’s mission with welcoming visuals and clear CTAs that invite users to explore and engage immediately.
CONTACT US
Streamlined contact page to encourage outreach within the community
GET STARTED
Breaks down user journey to joining the community, helping users take the first steps toward support, learning, and empowerment through courses and Slack channels
ABOUT US
Highlights the founder’s personal story and the organization’s core values
