Category: Uncategorized

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Star Assessment: 3.5 stars
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• Clean site that follows the general format of DOH sites
• Nice use of icons on buttons to add visual queues
• Carousel information helps create visual interest on the homepage
• Layout of information is straight-forward, simple/clean

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• Homepage: Clearly identifying the core audience—individuals with Developmental Disabilities—can strengthen the site’s effectiveness.This can be executed with a overarching statement or shown visually through images and key words. Visual cues can be used to assure that the audience is seen/known and it sends a signal to the user that the information is relevant and worthwhile. It is an often overlooked key component to creating an impression of trust, care and authority.
• Homepage: Clearly defining the “areas” of information can be improved by adding headers. Sections are visually delineated but headers will help the user disseminate the information so they can decide if it is relevant to them.
• Quick Links (3) on Homepage: Add more visual interest (engaging/relevant photos or graphics) to draw interest.
• Buttons: Consider using buttons in an accent color (instead of Teal) to differentiate it from the overall color scheme of the site. Button style should be consistent throughout site.

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Star Assessment: 4 stars
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• Site design is slightly more “modernized” than other DOH sites
• Consistent color scheme throughout
• Utilizes photographs and illustrations for visual impact
• Homepage: Information is clearly delineated and identified to help user navigate to different sections of the site.
• Call-to-Action is clear and visible at all times
• Overall, the site slightly moves away from a DOH “branded” look. Although, there is ambiguity in regards to implementing “branding” consistently because there are no specific guidelines.

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• Homepage: Recommend utilizing the carousel area to feature relevant information and highlight content that might be otherwise overlooked by users.
• Consider “labeling” the area below the carousel so the user can understand what information is being featured here (vs. the carousel). This will create better separation from the different areas of the homepage (carousel area, “services” section)
• Recommend updating imagery for subpages or implement a strong typographical header in lieu of stock photography to give the site a refresh.

Star Assessment: 1 star
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• Overall there is little to no design implemented into this website. It folllows the basic template/navigation of the current DOH Main site, but lacks any visuals, colors or graphics to help make the site engaging, inviting or make the viewer want to stay on the site to learn more. Mental health is so important to our own and others well-being—colors, imagery and graphics help to make connections and aid in getting the content/copy out in a way that we want to learn, read, find out about more info. There is no branding specifically for the AMH Division so all the great content visually becomes gray.
• The site are uses the DOH brown for the headers and DOH Teal and Green throughout the copy/subpages. There is a basic hierarchy for the type, but for the most part, all the content is given equal weight. There are great resources throughout the site, but nothing is highlighted or pushed to the forefront. 

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Some key words in the mission and vision of AMHD: mental wellbeing, holistic, collaborative, empowering. The use of photos/illustrations of real local people interacting/supporting each other, showing compassion, engaging in a positive activity would help the viewer feel connected and build trust that the DOH knows it’s audience/caregivers/health facilities/organizations that would utilize these services.
• Because there is so much copy and content, dividing this in a way for the reader to easily find/process what they are looking for is essential. 
– Designing a good visual hierarchy for the copy: Using different sizing, weight, color consistently for headers, body copy, call-outs, display type 
– Creating call-out boxes to highlight important facts/info
– Better content organization: the copy on many pages runs very deep so you need to scroll and scroll and read through everything to find what you are looking for. There could be anchors on the pages to alleviate this. Also the content can be edited/updated into smaller chunks.

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Star Assessment: 1 star
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• 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. 

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• 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. 

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