Sharp Design for Sharp Editors: An Updated Website for Publications Professionals LLC
UX/UI Design | Web Design | Responsive Layouts | WordPress | Front-End Design | Visual Hierarchy
UX/UI & Website Design | 2017-2025
OVERVIEW
Publications Professionals LLC — Website Redesign
Publications Professionals LLC, often called Pubs Pros, is a woman-owned, veteran-owned editorial services company known for precision, professionalism, and long-standing client relationships in the publishing industry. They support publishers, nonprofits, associations, and corporations with expert editing, proofreading, and production management. Their commitment to clarity and quality made this collaboration especially meaningful to me as a designer.
I partnered with Publications Professionals to redesign and modernize their website after the existing site began to feel dated and raised concerns around usability, trust, and security. I led the project from discovery through implementation, evaluating content structure and user flow, refining navigation, and building responsive layouts in WordPress. Working closely with the founder, I translated their established credibility into a cleaner, more intuitive digital experience that emphasizes accessibility, professionalism, and ease of use, while creating a flexible foundation for ongoing updates.
ROLE
LEAD WEB DESIGNER, UX/UI DESIGNER
TIMELINE
2022-2025
TOOLS
WORDPRESS, PHOTOSHOP, ILLUSTRATOR
CLIENT COLLABORATION WITH COMPANY FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
TEAM
UX/UI DESIGN, WORDPRESS DEVELOPMENT, RESPONSIVE LAYOUTS, ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS, DESSIGN SYSTEMS
DELIVERABLES
WEBSITES
CREATIVE DIRECTION
Establishing clarity, trust, and usability through design
When I began working with Publications Professionals, their WordPress site was experiencing hosting instability and felt outdated in both design and functionality. Navigation was cluttered, accessibility was limited, and the back-end experience made content updates cumbersome. These issues affected how potential clients perceived the company and created friction for the internal team managing the site.
What started as a need to resolve technical concerns quickly revealed a larger opportunity. The site required a more intentional structure, clearer hierarchy, and a user experience that reflected the company’s professionalism and long-standing reputation within the editorial industry.
THE BRIEF
“What would it take to redesign the Publications Professionals website into a stable, accessible, and user-friendly experience for visitors and potential clients?”
With this direction established, I researched alternative hosting solutions and WordPress themes, selecting a framework that offered greater flexibility and scalability. From there, I focused on simplifying navigation, improving content flow, and establishing consistent typography and styling. These design decisions were guided by user needs first, while also creating a durable foundation for ongoing maintenance and future updates.
Once the site was migrated and rebuilt, my focus shifted toward improving usability and content flow. I streamlined navigation, prioritized clear typography, and established consistent styling that aligned with the company’s professional tone. This phase not only solved immediate technical problems but also created a stronger foundation for ongoing maintenance and future growth.
PRODUCTION + DESIGN
Defining scope, refining structure, and building with intention
When I took ownership of the Publications Professionals website, it was clear the project required more than incremental updates. The visual design felt dated, navigation lacked hierarchy, and the overall experience did not reflect the company’s credibility. Before moving into design, I clarified project expectations and defined priorities to ensure the redesign would be both practical and sustainable within WordPress.
I focused on refining what already worked while addressing the most impactful usability issues. By auditing the existing site and reviewing how visitors and potential clients interacted with key pages, I identified opportunities to simplify navigation, improve content flow, and make information easier to find. These insights guided both the design decisions and the production approach that followed.
Key design and production decisions
-
I reviewed the site’s structure, navigation flow, and visual hierarchy to identify friction points, accessibility gaps, and areas where content felt buried or unclear.
-
The redesign needed to modernize the site while remaining easy to maintain. I worked within WordPress’s existing framework, selecting tools and patterns that supported flexibility without adding unnecessary complexity.
-
Users wanted quick access to essential information. I reorganized content around user intent rather than internal structure, simplified navigation, and reduced reliance on dropdown menus that performed poorly on mobile.
-
I created high-fidelity prototypes to test layout changes, visual hierarchy, and content flow. These prototypes supported focused feedback and helped ensure the experience translated well across screen sizes before implementation.
Production decisions prioritized longevity and clarity. I selected a WordPress theme with built-in responsive layouts and applied light customization to improve legibility, accessibility, and consistency. Throughout the build, I focused on creating a clean, intuitive experience that would support ongoing updates as the business continues to evolve.
FINAL DESIGN OVERVIEW
A clean, responsive redesign built for clarity and ease of use
The final design for the Publications Professionals website balances professionalism with approachability. The layout reinforces the company’s credibility while remaining easy to navigate, using clear typographic hierarchy, intentional spacing, and straightforward navigation to guide visitors and potential clients through the content without friction.
Accessibility and readability were central to every design decision. A restrained color palette, large imagery, and concise text help communicate services clearly without overwhelming the visitor. Consistent design patterns and subtle interactions create a cohesive experience that feels modern while remaining appropriate for an editorial services audience.
The finished site performs reliably across both desktop and mobile devices. Content is easy to scan, navigation feels intuitive, and interactive elements remain accessible at all screen sizes. These improvements help visitors and potential clients find what they need quickly and confidently, regardless of how they access the site.
Beyond resolving the initial usability challenges, the redesign established a flexible foundation for future updates. The site now supports the company’s evolving needs while reflecting their identity as a trusted, detail-oriented editing firm. Bringing the experience together in a cohesive way reinforced my approach to designing digital spaces that feel as thoughtful and polished as the work they represent.
FINAL DESIGN | HOMEPAGE STRUCTURE AND VISUAL FLOW
Establishing a clear, trustworthy first impression
The homepage sets the tone for the entire site. From the start, my goal was to create a structure that communicates credibility and professionalism while remaining approachable. Visitors should quickly understand what Publications Professionals does and why they can trust them with their content. I achieved this through clear visual hierarchy, strong messaging, and a logical flow of information supported by large, purposeful imagery.
Each section guides visitors and potential clients through a narrative, beginning with who the company is, moving into what they offer, and ending with a clear path to learn more or make contact. This pacing provides context before asking for engagement, which helps build confidence and reduces cognitive load.
FINAL DESIGN | HOMEPAGE STRUCTURE AND VISUAL FLOW
FINAL DESIGN | HOMEPAGE STRUCTURE AND VISUAL FLOW
The underlying grid system keeps layouts consistent and predictable without feeling rigid. Generous whitespace improves readability and creates a sense of calm that aligns with the company’s editorial tone. I also ensured the hierarchy translated cleanly to smaller screens by reordering select content blocks for mobile views.
The result is a homepage that feels balanced and professional. Essential information is easy to find, which aligns with the expectations of publishers, editors, and corporate clients. Watching the new structure perform efficiently reinforced how thoughtful layout decisions can directly influence user confidence.
FINAL DESIGN | RESPONSIVE + ACCESSIBILITY DESIGN
Adapting for responsive and accessible experiences
Designing for multiple devices requires balance. Each layout needs to feel natural on a phone, tablet, or desktop without losing visual rhythm or brand clarity. For this project, I worked within WordPress’s built-in responsive layouts and treated each breakpoint as an opportunity to simplify and strengthen the user experience rather than simply scale content down.
The framework handled most of the responsiveness, but I made targeted CSS adjustments to improve legibility and accessibility. Touch targets were refined, spacing was adjusted for easier scanning, and text treatments were evaluated to ensure readability across screen sizes. These refinements helped create a cohesive experience that feels intentional on every device.
FINAL DESIGN | RESPONSIVE + ACCESSIBILITY DESIGN
This phase reinforced how much small details matter in responsive design. Anticipating how content shifts and stacks across viewports helped reduce friction and prevent usability issues later on. It also allowed me to think more critically about how typography, spacing, and imagery contribute to accessibility, not just aesthetics.
Working within WordPress’s constraints required thoughtful problem-solving, but those limitations encouraged clarity and restraint. The final layouts support both responsiveness and accessibility while remaining consistent with the overall design system and user expectations.
FINAL DESIGN | UX/UI DESIGN
Visual consistency and intuitive user flow
A cohesive interface relies as much on restraint as it does on creativity. For this project, my goal was to design a UI that felt familiar and intuitive while staying aligned with the Publications Professionals brand. I focused on consistency across buttons, links, and form elements, while allowing flexibility for content that varied from page to page. Establishing a clear visual rhythm helped visitors and potential clients understand what to expect and where to go next.
I developed a simple design system that defined color, typography, and spacing standards. These guidelines informed everything from headline treatments to subtle hover states, giving the interface a unified look that supported both usability and brand identity. Thoughtful alignment and consistent visual cues added polish without distracting from the content itself.
FINAL DESIGN | UX/UI DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN | UX/UI DESIGN
Testing the interface across devices and browsers revealed how even small inconsistencies can affect trust and engagement. I refined spacing, adjusted contrast for readability, and updated icon treatments to ensure clarity and accessibility. Each adjustment was made with the goal of reducing friction and helping visitors and potential clients move through the site with confidence.
This example reflects a balance between creative expression and practical design thinking. Every visual decision served clarity first. The process reinforced my belief that successful UI design should feel effortless to the user, guiding interaction quietly and purposefully rather than drawing attention to itself.
OUTCOME
Building trust through transparency and collaboration
Since launching, the redesigned website has been well received by both Publications Professionals and their visitors. It strengthened the company’s online presence and reinforced their position as a trusted editorial services provider. The clearer structure and refreshed visual design made the site easier to navigate, helping potential clients quickly understand services and expertise.
This project reinforced the importance of open communication throughout the design process. When challenges surfaced, addressing them directly and offering clear, thoughtful solutions led to better outcomes for the business. That collaborative approach built trust on both sides and resulted in a website that feels aligned with the company’s values and long-term goals.
The impact was also reflected in client feedback.
“Our beautifully designed website by Meghan has increased visitors and has definitely made a positive impact on our business.”
—Barbara Hart, CEO & Founder, Publications Professionals LLC
REFLECTION
Evolving a living design over time
This project has grown alongside both Publications Professionals and my own design practice. Since the redesign launched, I have continued refining the site as the business evolves. Each update has been an opportunity to strengthen usability, accessibility, and visual clarity, reinforcing the idea that a website is never truly finished, but continually shaped by real use and changing needs.
Key Takeaways:
SMALL REFINEMENTS MAKE A BIG IMPACT
Even subtle adjustments, such as increasing font sizes or refining spacing, can significantly improve readability, accessibility, and SEO performance.CONSISTENCY SUPPORTS CREDIBILITY
Maintaining a consistent visual and interaction pattern across new pages and updates reinforces trust and presents the company as a polished, professional partner.COLLABORATION BUILDS BETTER RESULTS
Ongoing communication with the Publications Professionals team ensures each update reflects both their business goals and their identity as editors and storytellers.
This project reinforced that successful design does not end at launch. Continuous, intentional improvements can have a lasting effect, and I plan to keep evolving this site as the business grows, making sure each change supports both the user experience and the company’s story.