Summer Origenes – Portfolio

News Literate Community Initiative Website Design

Overview

The NLCI, a local emerging nonprofit focused on strengthening news literacy in Washoe County, needed a modern, trustworthy website to better communicate its mission, programs, and resources. After joining the organization as a member of the Steering Committee, I led the design and development of a new WordPress site that established the NLCI’s digital presence.

Project Goals:

  1. Design and launch a modern, accessible, and trustworthy website for NLCI within two weeks to meet a partner organization’s newsletter deadline for inclusion.
  2. Strengthen the organization’s visual identity with consistent, clear, and mission-aligned design.

Process

1. Research & Planning

I started by digging into how successful nonprofit websites are built, focusing on accessibility, clarity, and how they guide visitors toward resources. From there, I mapped out the site structure, user flows, and the types of content our community would actually need. This became the foundation for the entire build.

2. Collaborative Strategy Development

I worked closely with the Steering Committee to define the website’s purpose, audiences, and long-term goals for the organization. Together, we clarified our messaging, outlined key resources, and made decisions about what information should live on the site. These conversations shaped both the content strategy and the overall direction of the project.

3. Visual Direction & Design

With our strategy in place, I developed a visual direction that felt approachable, trustworthy, and community-focused. I created accessible layouts, selected type and color systems, and designed supporting graphics that brought NLCI’s mission to life in a clear and modern way.

4. WordPress Build From the Ground Up

I built the entire website in WordPress from scratch using a modular approach, so the team could easily make updates in the future. I set up custom templates, configured backend structures, and ensured the site would be flexible enough to grow as the nonprofit evolves.

5. Content Migration & Optimization

I gathered and migrated all of the nonprofit’s existing content, reorganized it for clarity, and optimized every page for readability and accessibility. I focused on making the site intuitive, helping educators, parents, and community members quickly find the resources they came for.

6. Handoff, Testing & Team Training

Before launch, I ran usability checks, refined the site’s functionality, and prepared training materials. I walked the Steering Committee through how to update content, manage pages, and maintain the site long-term, ensuring they felt confident and supported.

Outcomes

The website launched as a clear, welcoming home for the organization, offering resources and a set foundation from which the Steering Committee and community could immediately use and build upon. The site now presents NLCI’s mission, events, and resources in a way that feels purposeful and easy to navigate. It also gave the group a strong foundation to grow their presence, communicate their goals, and reach more educators and families.

Impact

Since launching, the website has helped the nonprofit establish credibility in the community and streamline how information is shared across schools, partner organizations, and local residents. It’s become a central resource hub, supporting outreach efforts and making it easier for people to engage with the initiative. Building it from the ground up not only set the stage for future programs; it helped the organization operate more confidently and cohesively from day one.