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Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences

INTRODUCTION

Pioneering Healthcare Insights for a Healthier Canada

The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) is a not-for-profit research institute comprising a community of research, data and clinical experts at the forefront of groundbreaking research, delving into the intricate realm of healthcare delivery and outcomes.

Within this vast repository of population-based health surveys, anonymized patient records, and comprehensive clinical and administrative databases, lies the key to unraveling the complexities of the healthcare landscape and the power to inform healthcare policy and improve patient outcomes for all Canadians.

In late 2022 ICES tasked Takt with crafting a new website that serves as an digital HQ and resource hub for its various research initiatives.

Transforming an Outdated Website into a Seamless User Experience

When ICES reached out, they were dealing with an outdated website stuck in the past. It was built using an old version of the SiteCore content management system (CMS), making it difficult to update. On top of that, the website had a dysfunctional API and a whopping 15,000+ pages of content. Our main challenge was to make sense of this overwhelming amount of content and fix the site’s disjointed features creating a unified user experience for all.

To start, we took a close look at how the content was organized on the site. We examined different types of content, their relationships, and the tags, categories, and taxonomy used. We then conducted workshops with users, analyzing their needs and the tasks they wanted to accomplish on the site. By reviewing site analytics and running user testing sessions, we were able to identify the most important tasks and create a new site structure that made sense for everyone.

From here, we developed wireframes and validated our assumptions through testing with key audiences. Only after receiving feedback and making improvements did we move on to the final design phase.

Throughout the process, our focus was on simplicity and user satisfaction. We wanted to create a website that was easy to use and provided a seamless experience for visitors.


A Vibrant Gateway to Collaborative Excellence

The new ICES website goes beyond being a mere resource hub for the organization’s research initiatives. It serves as a powerful calling card, inviting future partnerships and inviting others to join their mission of enhancing patient outcomes. The website aims to convey ICES’ values, sterling reputation, and inclusive culture.

To ensure the website design aligns with ICES’ vision, we began by identifying the design constraints. Through conversations and workshops, we delved into the core messaging of the existing ICES brand, exploring the principles and values that propel it forward. Based on these insights, our team at Takt presented four creative concepts in the form of style tiles, each representing a distinct approach to the current branding.

The winning concept was the most vibrant of the bunch, featuring an expanded color palette that facilitated wayfinding and adhered to accessibility best practices. By utilizing color-blocking generously, we ensured that the eye flows smoothly through the extensive text content. In addition, type styling and bold titles were implemented to establish a clear hierarchy and enhance readability.


“In our exploration of design and user experience, we discovered that ICES had a lot of content and different types of pages. This meant we had to really concentrate on their content organization in our design solution. By creating a flexible and customizable design system, we not only preserved and showcased the unique ICES brand, but also positioned them for long-term growth and consistency.”

Steven Martz, Creative Director @ Takt

The Great Migration

When beginning the project we knew successfully migrating 15,000+ pages of unstructured content from an inaccessible CMS to a new custom WordPress site would be a real challenge. Without access to the site’s backend, Takt’s development leveraged a combination of manual and automated migration strategies which accounted for roughly 70% of the project’s total required efforts. Once the content was successful we began testing the site across various devices and browsers– re-testing along the way for performance, accessibility and SEO.

The end result is a rejuvenated ICES site that prioritizes usability, without comprising the site’s visual appeal or overall performance.

We couldn’t be happier with the result, and are excited to see what comes next from ICES in the coming months and years.

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