Argyll and Bute Council

Local Authority Website

Creating an accessible design system and platform for a local authority

UX Design
UI Design
User Research
Design systems
Accessibility
User testing
Service design
Challenge
The existing Argyll and Bute Council website suffered from outdated information architecture, poor mobile responsiveness, and complex navigation that made it difficult for residents to access essential council services online.

Citizens faced frustration when trying to complete basic tasks like paying council tax, reporting issues, or finding local service information, often resorting to time-consuming phone calls or office visits.

The site's legacy design and fragmented content structure created barriers to digital service adoption, while staff struggled with content management workflows that hindered timely information updates across the geographically dispersed region.
Solution
Working with a local development agency, the council's incredibly talented in-house team, and stakeholders, I led a comprehensive website redesign that transformed the council's digital presence into a user-centered, service-focused platform.

The solution prioritised citizen journey mapping, streamlined information architecture, and mobile-first responsive design to serve the diverse needs of Argyll and Bute's communities. The new platform featured intuitive service categorisation, and location-based content delivery to help residents quickly find relevant local information. Enhanced content management capabilities empowered council staff to maintain accurate, up-to-date information across all departments and service areas.
UI Design
The interface design embraced accessibility-first principles with high contrast ratios, clear typography, and simplified navigation suitable for users of all ages and technical abilities. I implemented a clean, modern visual hierarchy that guided users efficiently to their desired services while maintaining the civic authority and trustworthiness expected from local government. The responsive design ensured seamless functionality across devices, particularly important for a region where mobile connectivity often serves as the primary internet access. Consistent design patterns and clear call-to-action elements reduced cognitive load and improved task completion rates.
UX Research and Design
Extensive user research included citizen interviews across Argyll and Bute's island and mainland communities, usability testing sessions, and analysis of existing website analytics to understand user behavior patterns. Research revealed significant differences in digital literacy levels and service needs between urban and rural populations, informing the development of flexible content presentation and multiple pathway navigation options. Card sorting exercises with both citizens and council staff helped establish an intuitive information architecture that aligned with user mental models while supporting efficient content management workflows.

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Drop me a message at hi@stuarthenderson.co.uk or DM me via Twitter or Linkedin
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