Star Assessment: 1 star
ASSESSMENT:
• The ADAD website also folllows the basic template/navigation/colors of the current DOH Main site and there is no branding specifically for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. This site is extremely text/link heavy and lacks engaging visuals, colors or graphics. Because there is so much copy, the resources/important information get lost and it becomes difficult to filter through all the content to find what you’re looking for.
• The images used are covers of reports, which helps to tie it to Hawaii. People in Hawaii are very attuned to imagery that connects/relates with us, so it is of the utmost importance that we have the right photos/backgrounds/people and cultures used, in addition to colors and graphics.
• The one painting/illustration used is located on the bottom of the Disaster Response State Project page and would be better utilized at the top of the page as a hero image. Hero images are used to help with branding, drawing the viewer into the site and setting a good first impression about the division/organization.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Incorporating hero images/photos/illustrations, colors and graphics to brand the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division and give it a Hawaii sense of place and culture. With consistent and appropriate use, the viewer will recognize the brand and associate it with the division/DOH.
• Using images with real local people gives it a more relatable/approachable presence to the audience. People seeking help for substance abuse often have emotional and behavioral issues—they need to feel safe and that the DOH/affiliations understand who they are and what resourses are available when they are ready to access it.
• This site is copy/content/link intensive. By dividing the content better and assigning it appropriate styles, it will make it easier for the audience to filter and find what they are searching for.
– Designing a good visual hierarchy for the copy: Using different type sizing, weight, color consistently for headers, body copy, call-outs, display type will help the viewer through the content.
– Creating call-out boxes to highlight important facts/info.
– Creating anchors on pages with heavy content to alleviate endless scrolling.