Organization Description: Artisan Agility is a 15 year old company that I founded back in 2009 to help organizations understand and productively use Agile Development values and frameworks (specifically Scrum). We teach (both live and through online classes), consult with organizations attempting to become more agile, and coach individuals and teams.

Project Overview:

This project focuses on improving the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of a tool we've build for Scrum teams called "Sierra Agility". Learners will conduct a UX audit, develop new layout concepts, and produce mobile-friendly, accessible designs that support greater engagement from donors, volunteers, or clients.

Project Duration: 6 Weeks

Project Hours: 150

Project Hours Per Learner: 30

Project Scope & Expectations:

Learners will engage in:

• Reviewing Sierra Agility to identify UX/UI gaps and usability issues. 
• Conducting lightweight user research and translate findings into actionable design improvements. 
• Creating updated wireframes and mockups using Canva, Figma, or Adobe XD. 
• They will optimize mobile responsiveness and verify accessibility (ADA/WCAG compliance).
• Learners will deliver a final design system and developer-ready handoff package.

Project Timeline & Deliverables:

Week 1: Project Kickoff & UX Audit (~2 hours per learner)

• Employer and learner introductions
• Review of existing digital platform and primary user flows
• Define key user personas and use cases
• Conduct a basic UX and accessibility audit using free tools

Week 2: Wireframes & Visual Concepting (~4 hours per learner)

• Create low-fidelity wireframes and layout sketches for proposed improvements
• Propose updated page structure and navigation flow

Deliverable: Low-Fidelity Wireframes (submitted via PDF, Figma, or Canva) Wireframe sketches and user flow diagrams (shared via design tool or PDF export)

Week 3: High-Fidelity Design Mockups (~6 hours per learner)

• Build visual mockups for core pages using Canva, Figma, or Adobe XD
• Apply the organization’s branding, color schemes, and design standards
• High-fidelity interactive prototype (shared via Figma, Adobe XD, or PDF export)

Week 4: Feedback Loop & Design Revisions (~6 hours per learner)

• Present mockups to employer stakeholders for feedback 
• Iterate based on employer input and document design decisions
• Usability testing report (shared via PDF or slide deck)

Week 5: Accessibility & Mobile Design Enhancements (~6 hours per learner)

• Adjust designs to ensure full mobile responsiveness 
• Perform ADA/WCAG accessibility checks using tools like WAVE or Stark
• Final UX prototype (shared via Figma or Adobe XD link)

Week 6: Final Handoff & Design Guide (~6 hours per learner)

• Finalize design files and provide developer-ready documentation (e.g., spacing, fonts, color usage) 
• Present final project outcomes to the employer
• Final UX report, presentation deck, and design handoff files (shared via PDF and/or Figma developer-ready link)

Final Deliverables:

• UX Audit & Research Summary 
• Low- and High-Fidelity Wireframes and Mockups
• Accessibility Review Checklist 
• Final Design System & Handoff Package
• Summary Presentation Deck

Working Expectations:

Learners are expected to receive practical real world job experience in exchange for completion of tangible deliverables of a successfully completed project. Employers are expected to provide mentorship, guidance, and clear expectations to students and regular communication with the AscentUP team.