Code.gov — the platform that makes it easier to find open source code developed by the U.S. Government — announced updates that includes aesthetics aligned with the U.S. Web Design System and better adherence to accessibility standards.
Part 2: Re-imagining the California DMV website
It’s been a week since I published my thoughts on re-imagining the California Department of Motor Vehicles website. During that time, the issues I had with not receiving my REAL ID were resolved and the process inspired me to think and prototype a little more on the first iteration.
Re-imagining the California DMV website
I recently visited my local California Department of Motor Vehicles field office to renew my driver license and, because I scheduled an appointment ahead of time, my experience wasn’t the nightmare it’s traditionally made out to be. However, the designer in me couldn’t help but think about how the entire DMV process could be re-imagined, offline and online.
California releases state government website standards
The California Department of Technology has published unified design standards and accompanying resources for official state government websites.
Rethinking personas in government
Effective use of personas must be taken seriously when designing truly inclusive public services.
Government comics
For public communications and engagement enthusiasts, Government Issue is a great coffee table book and perhaps point of inspiration for government leaders to re-think how to better communicate with constituents.
Kickstarter campaign for city design method cards
GreaterPlaces is holding a fundraiser for city design method cards and a mobile app that “brings all aspects of city design together in one resource designed for everyone.”
Insights from federal digital design leaders
Ethan Marcotte and Karen McGrane have been on a roll lately featuring federal government design leaders on their Responsive Web Design Podcast.
9 reasons why Vets.gov is the future of federal government websites
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released a beta version of Vets.gov, and it’s the future of federal government digital development.
USDS publishes design standards for federal government websites
The U.S. Digital Service has soft-launched new U.S. Web Design Standards to “create consistency and beautiful user experiences across U.S. federal government websites.”
7 books for better digital government
Continuing on my book cleaning spree, I wanted to highlight a few web product design and development books I’m getting rid of that are helpful for anyone focused on providing government digital services.
White House moves to a more integrated, mobile-friendly blog
The White House continues to roll out a better mobile experience with a newly-designed White House blog.
Tennessee’s new logo
There is a lot of shortsighted chatter around the state of Tennessee’s new branding efforts and, while I don’t have a strong opinion on the logo aesthetics, which has received criticism for its $46,000 price tag, it’s important to commend the holistic approach to uniformity and why this will benefit residents (and taxpayers) in the future.
Talk to the hand: New Covington logo breaks government convention
I’m a huge fan of government re-branding to modernize away from the antiquated look of the traditional seal, mostly because I believe it can play a huge role in citizen sentiment and how employees see themselves and their roles as public servants.
City icons and Vocativ’s livability index
Vocativ published its 2014 Livability Index of the 35 best cities for people 35 and under, and the best part of it is the montage of city icons they created for the piece.
GovFresh WP: building a government WordPress theme
Despite the fact that millions of websites around the world today are powered by low- and no-cost open source content management systems, nearly all small city governments remain trapped in the 90s. To date, however, this need hasn’t adequately been served, and we need to change this. We can change this.
The State Department’s mobile site is now responsive
In a peculiar approach to web design strategy, the U.S. State Department has upgraded its mobile website, m.state.gov, to a responsive design.
White House opens huge opportunity for designers, developers to increase We the People engagement
The White House will soon open a limited beta test to developers on a new We the People Write API that allows third-party applications to submit information to official petitions.
.gov designer: Lou Huang
Meet Streetmix creator and Code for America fellow Lou Huang.
.gov designer: Danny Chapman
Meet Danny Chapman, director of design, NIC.
Original Civic Industries business card (and first one handed out by co-founder Eddie Tejeda). #opengov design + history
Connect with GovFresh on Instagram!
Love the Department of Better Technology’s logo
Connect with GovFresh on Instagram!
Delaware wants your help redesigning its next website
Delaware is in the process of beginning a new delaware.gov redesign and is asking for the public’s input in the form of a short survey.
Colorado gets a logo
The new tagline, “It’s our nature,” says the state, symbolizes the state’s “awe-inspiring scenery and life-loving people. It connects adventure with entrepreneurship, beauty with happiness and fresh air with creativity.”