{"id":1008,"date":"2018-05-01T16:34:11","date_gmt":"2018-05-01T16:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/?post_type=portfolio&p=1008"},"modified":"2026-02-16T00:02:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T00:02:39","slug":"cesa-6","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/portfolio\/cesa-6\/","title":{"rendered":"CESA 6"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row thb_full_width=”true” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”3768″ thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1756176961942{background-color: #f5f5f7 !important;background-position: center;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”]\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771199567084{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-lg section-pb-md section-xpad-5″][vc_column width=”2\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top” css=”.vc_custom_1756261511099{padding-right: 80px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756260005459{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

Problem to Solve<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

CESA 6 set out to modernize its 4Schools suite to better support teachers and administrators across Wisconsin. Over time, the applications had been built separately, each with its own design patterns and workflows. This led to fragmented experiences across the suite, where each application felt different and required educators to relearn patterns instead of focusing on their students.<\/span><\/h6>\n
The challenge was to redesign these tools into a more unified and intuitive suite while still addressing the unique needs of each application. This meant creating a consistent design language across the platform while ensuring that each app, from content management to student development to event scheduling, delivered the specific functionality educators needed in their day-to-day work.<\/span><\/h6>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756261415379{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

My Role<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
\n

As Lead UI\/UX Designer, I was responsible for:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Designing user flows, interfaces, and shared patterns that made tasks simpler and ensured consistency across applications.<\/li>\n
  • Collaborating with CESA 6 project managers and engineers to align design with technical feasibility and ensure smooth implementation.<\/li>\n
  • Incorporating feedback from teachers and administrators into design decisions to keep the tools grounded in real classroom and administrative needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_full_width=”true” thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771199697563{background-color: #f5f5f7 !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-lg section-pb-sm section-xpad-5″][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756400715411{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

    Streamlining Website Management for Districts and Schools<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

    CMS4Schools gave districts and schools a way to manage websites, but the system was inconsistent and hard for non-technical staff to use. Educator feedback showed the need for a system flexible enough to reflect each school\u2019s community, yet simple enough for staff to update with confidence.<\/p>\n

    I redesigned the application to make publishing more intuitive, shaping user flows and interactions that simplified content management while creating patterns flexible enough to meet the needs of different districts. Teachers could manage class notes, assignments, photography, and calendars within the same system, reducing reliance on technical staff and improving communication with parents and students.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_full_width=”true” thb_row_padding=”true” thb_column_padding=”true” thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771199845596{background-color: #f5f5f7 !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-none section-pb-md section-xpad-0″][vc_column animation=”animation bottom-to-top” css=”.vc_custom_1756438209088{padding-right: 5% !important;padding-left: 5% !important;}”][vc_raw_html]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[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_full_width=”true” thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771199708813{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-lg section-pb-sm section-xpad-5″][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756256642986{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

    Supporting Special Education Data Tracking<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The IEP (Individualized Education Program) process in Wisconsin was complex and overwhelming, making it difficult for educators to confidently manage required information. SEEDS4Schools already provided a digital system for tracking this data, but its workflows were cumbersome and unintuitive, leaving educators frustrated.<\/p>\n

    I redesigned the application to simplify data entry and reporting through clearer interaction patterns, guided by educator feedback on what needed to be visible at a glance versus captured in detail. I also introduced an auto-fill feature that carried over repetitive student information throughout the application. As a whole, the redesign gave educators more confidence and reduced the burden of compliance by making the system more accurate and efficient to use.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_full_width=”true” thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771199854192{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-none section-pb-md section-xpad-0″][vc_column animation=”animation bottom-to-top” css=”.vc_custom_1756438252710{padding-left: 5% !important;}”][vc_raw_html]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[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_full_width=”true” thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771199721580{background-color: #f5f5f7 !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-lg section-pb-sm section-xpad-5″][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756257470056{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

    Simplifying Scheduling With a Central Calendar<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Calendar4Schools gave districts a central calendar, but the application had become outdated and difficult for staff to use. Its workflows were unintuitive, making routine updates cumbersome and limiting how effectively schools could keep staff, students, and parents informed.<\/p>\n

    I redesigned the system to make it easier for staff to update and maintain calendars, simplifying tasks like posting events, assignments, and lunch menus to ensure information stayed accurate and current. By connecting the calendar with CMS4Schools, updates flowed seamlessly, making it easier for staff to keep calendars up to date and improving communication between schools and their communities with timely, reliable information.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_full_width=”true” thb_row_padding=”true” thb_column_padding=”true” thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771199864043{background-color: #f5f5f7 !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-none section-pb-md section-xpad-0″][vc_column animation=”animation bottom-to-top” css=”.vc_custom_1756438261295{padding-left: 7% !important;}”][vc_raw_html]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJwYXJhbGxheC1zdGFjayUyMiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGRhdGEtd3JhcG1heCUzRCUyMjIwMDAwJTIyJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwZGF0YS1iYXNldyUzRCUyMjY3JTIyJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwZGF0YS1md2lkdGglM0QlMjIzOCUyMiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGRhdGEtZmxlZnQlM0QlMjI3MiUyMiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGRhdGEtZnRvcCUzRCUyMjcwJTIyJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwZGF0YS1hbXAlM0QlMjIwLjElMjIlM0UlMEElMjAlMjAlM0NpbWclMjBjbGFzcyUzRCUyMmxheWVyJTIwYmFzZSUyMiUyMCUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGbWlnczQ3LmNvbSUyRnY0JTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDI1JTJGMDglMkZpbWdfNHNjaG9vbHNfY2FsZW5kYXI0c2Nob29sc19kYXNoYm9hcmQucG5nJTIyJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTNDaW1nJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJsYXllciUyMGZsb2F0JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZtaWdzNDcuY29tJTJGdjQlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjUlMkYwOCUyRmltZ180c2Nob29sc19jYWxlbmRhcjRzY2hvb2xzX21vYmlsZS5wbmclMjIlMjAlMjBhbHQlM0QlMjJDTVM0U2Nob29scyUyMHBhZ2UlMjBsYXlvdXRzJTIyJTNFJTBBJTNDJTJGZGl2JTNFJTBB[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771200006938{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-lg section-pb-sm section-xpad-5″][vc_column width=”2\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top” css=”.vc_custom_1756438267458{padding-right: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756259116898{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

    Impact<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

    The redesigned 4Schools suite improved usability across applications while making the overall experience more consistent for educators. By creating shared patterns and simplifying workflows, the tools became easier to learn, faster to use, and more effective in supporting communication between schools and their communities.<\/span><\/h6>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row thb_divider_position=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1771200038091{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” el_class=”section-pt-none section-pb-lg section-xpad-5″][vc_column width=”1\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top” css=”.vc_custom_1756438271928{padding-right: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756258648805{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

    95%<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
    product satisfaction from educators
    \nand administrators<\/h5>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756258660163{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

    300+<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
    school districts across Wisconsin
    \nactively using the suite<\/h5>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ animation=”animation bottom-to-top”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1771200157494{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\n

    297,000+<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n
    students served through improved
    \ncommunication and collaboration tools<\/h5>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    While at Untitled Creative Studio, I worked with CESA 6, an education service agency in Wisconsin, to redesign 4Schools, a suite of web applications used by districts across the state. The goal was to create a unified experience for teachers and administrators, supported by tools that streamlined assignments, boosted collaboration, and improved communication between staff, students, and parents, all allowing them to focus their time on what matters the most, the students.<\/p>\n

    I focused on three core applications: CMS4Schools, SEEDS4Schools, and Calendar4Schools, designing the user experience and establishing patterns that improved usability and ensured consistency across the suite.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3909,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-1008","portfolio","type-portfolio","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","portfolio-category-4schools-helping-teachers-and-administrators-focus-on-what-matters-most-their-students"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio\/1008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/portfolio"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio\/1008\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4813,"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio\/1008\/revisions\/4813"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/migs47.com\/v4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}