Mother Lode Art Association Web Design & Branding Case Study
Client Overview & Objectives
The Mother Lode Art Association (MLAA), a nonprofit organization established in 1951, created to promote and support the arts within Tuolumne County, was in need of a comprehensive website redesign. Operating with a strict budget, the MLAA required a solution that would remain on their existing platform, Weebly, while delivering a more cohesive and professional online presence. Their previous website had an outdated, cluttered layout with content scattered across the homepage. Additionally, their Student Art in Education Grant Program relied on a manual, paper-based submission process that hindered efficiency.
The primary objectives for this project were:
- To create a modern, professional, and cohesive design that aligned with the MLAA’s mission.
- To reorganize the website's structure, improving the user experience and making information easier to access.
- To digitize the grant application process, improving efficiency and accessibility for both applicants and administrators—all while working within the limitations of their current platform and budget.
Design Approach & Process
Logo Redesign
The first step in the project was updating the MLAA’s logo to better reflect its artistic and professional identity. Given the association’s location in "gold country," I chose gold as the primary color, paired with black for a bold, elegant contrast. I selected a refined, mature font and incorporated a light graphic element to bring a modern and artistic touch to the logo.
Website Revamp on a Budget
Given the client’s strict budget, the website needed to remain on Weebly’s free platform. I maximized the available features within Weebly’s limitations to create a more structured, user-friendly website. The updated design incorporated the new logo and established a professional, polished feel with a clean, organized layout. One of the key changes involved restructuring the homepage, which previously had an overwhelming amount of information, into well-organized pages to improve navigation and clarity.
Before
After
Digitizing the Grant Application Process
A major challenge the MLAA faced was their reliance on paper forms for the Student Art in Education Grant Program. I transitioned this process into an online form, streamlining submissions and eliminating the need for physical mail. This not only improved the efficiency of the grant application process but also allowed the MLAA to handle applications more effectively. Within a few months of the website re-launch, they successfully distributed their full annual funding through the online system.
Results & Impact
The redesigned website has provided the MLAA with a more cohesive and professional online presence, enabling them to better showcase their mission and resources. The transition to an online grant submission process has significantly improved operational efficiency. In fact, within a few months of launching the new website, the MLAA successfully allocated their full grant funding for the year—demonstrating the immediate, positive impact of the changes.
Key Insights
This project reinforced the importance of a well-organized, visually cohesive website that not only serves the client’s immediate needs but also positions them for future growth. Even with the constraints of a limited budget and platform limitations, we were able to deliver a website that met all the client’s goals. The transition from paper-based to digital grant submissions has streamlined operations, and the website redesign has enhanced the MLAA’s ability to connect with the community, raise awareness, and support local artists and educators.
Conclusion
By working within the limitations of Weebly’s free platform and a tight budget, the redesigned website and logo successfully elevated the MLAA’s online presence, making it more professional, user-friendly, and efficient. The digital transformation of the grant application process has had a significant impact, allowing the MLAA to allocate their resources effectively and continue supporting the arts in Tuolumne County with greater ease.