Page Index +
Page Index +
2026 Updates / System Transformation
2026 Updates / System Transformation
2026 Updates / System Transformation
2024 → 2025 → 2026
2024 → 2025 → 2026
2024 → 2025 → 2026
Restructuring the USDA’s digital ecosystem from fragmented and redundant to unified and intuitive.
Restructuring the USDA’s digital ecosystem from fragmented and redundant to unified and intuitive.
Restructuring the USDA’s digital ecosystem from fragmented and redundant to unified and intuitive.
Systems Evolution
Systems Evolution
Systems Evolution
Across multiple phases (2024–2026), I refined the USDA experience from fragmented systems and early redesign concepts into a unified ecosystem—simplifying navigation, centralizing resources, and improving usability through research-driven iteration.
Across multiple phases (2024–2026), I refined the USDA experience from fragmented systems and early redesign concepts into a unified ecosystem—simplifying navigation, centralizing resources, and improving usability through research-driven iteration.
Across multiple phases (2024–2026), I refined the USDA experience from fragmented systems and early redesign concepts into a unified ecosystem—simplifying navigation, centralizing resources, and improving usability through research-driven iteration.
Initial Redesign & System Mapping
Initial Redesign & System Mapping
Initial Redesign & System Mapping
2024 → 2025
2024 → 2025
2024 → 2025
Final Unified Experience
Final Unified Experience
Final Unified Experience
2026 Redesign
2026 Redesign
2026 Redesign
Original Design Process (2024–2025)
Original Design Process (2024–2025)
Original Design Process (2024–2025)
Research, strategy, and design decisions from the original team sprint that informed later design exploration.
Research, strategy, and design decisions from the original team sprint that informed later design exploration.
Research, strategy, and design decisions from the original team sprint that informed later design exploration.
Project Overview
Project Overview
Project Overview
Although the five-week team sprint ended in 2024, I extended the project independently to push the designs further. In addition to redesigning the USDA homepage and mobile platform, I prototyped the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) homepage and restructured the Forms Library—two critical areas for improving access and usability.
This independent phase allowed me to refine the vision, resolve gaps left from the sprint, and explore broader opportunities for impact. The timeline and research insights that follow illustrate how I applied design thinking to evolve the project into its 2025 iteration, integrating user testing, stakeholder input, and ethnographic observations to create a more inclusive, user-centered experience.
Although the five-week team sprint ended in 2024, I extended the project independently to push the designs further. In addition to redesigning the USDA homepage and mobile platform, I prototyped the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) homepage and restructured the Forms Library—two critical areas for improving access and usability.
This independent phase allowed me to refine the vision, resolve gaps left from the sprint, and explore broader opportunities for impact. The timeline and research insights that follow illustrate how I applied design thinking to evolve the project into its 2025 iteration, integrating user testing, stakeholder input, and ethnographic observations to create a more inclusive, user-centered experience.
Although the five-week team sprint ended in 2024, I extended the project independently to push the designs further. In addition to redesigning the USDA homepage and mobile platform, I prototyped the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) homepage and restructured the Forms Library—two critical areas for improving access and usability.
This independent phase allowed me to refine the vision, resolve gaps left from the sprint, and explore broader opportunities for impact. The timeline and research insights that follow illustrate how I applied design thinking to evolve the project into its 2025 iteration, integrating user testing, stakeholder input, and ethnographic observations to create a more inclusive, user-centered experience.
Scope
Goals
Roles
Tools
Constraints
Scope
Scope
Goals
Goals
Roles
Roles
Tools
Tools
Constraints
Constraints
Full Video Walkthrough
Full Video Walkthrough
Full Video Walkthrough
Methodology
Methodology
Methodology
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Stakeholder Research
Stakeholder Research
Stakeholder Research
USDA Mission Areas
USDA Mission Areas
USDA Mission Areas
According to the USDA's Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2022 to 2026, it is organized into eight distinct mission areas.
According to the USDA's Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2022 to 2026, it is organized into eight distinct mission areas.
According to the USDA's Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2022 to 2026, it is organized into eight distinct mission areas.
Featuring USDA’s eight mission areas on the homepage not only highlights their core objectives but also makes the site more informative, helping users understand at a glance what USDA is all about.
Featuring USDA’s eight mission areas on the homepage not only highlights their core objectives but also makes the site more informative, helping users understand at a glance what USDA is all about.
Featuring USDA’s eight mission areas on the homepage not only highlights their core objectives but also makes the site more informative, helping users understand at a glance what USDA is all about.
Cross-Agency User Contexts
Cross-Agency User Contexts
Cross-Agency User Contexts
Understanding USDA’s User Ecosystem
Understanding USDA’s User Ecosystem
Understanding USDA’s User Ecosystem
USDA serves a wide range of users with different goals, technical familiarity, and information needs — from federal employees and agricultural professionals to researchers, students, and members of the public seeking assistance programs.
USDA serves a wide range of users with different goals, technical familiarity, and information needs — from federal employees and agricultural professionals to researchers, students, and members of the public seeking assistance programs.
USDA serves a wide range of users with different goals, technical familiarity, and information needs — from federal employees and agricultural professionals to researchers, students, and members of the public seeking assistance programs.
These observations informed a navigation system designed to support both professional workflows and broader public accessibility.
These observations informed a navigation system designed to support both professional workflows and broader public accessibility.
These observations informed a navigation system designed to support both professional workflows and broader public accessibility.
User Persona
User Persona
User Persona
Federal Employee
Federal Employee
Federal Employee
Key User Insights
Key User Insights
Key User Insights
User Interview Quotes
User Interview Quotes
User Interview Quotes
We spoke with 6 users, aged 38–51, to learn about their experiences with and perceptions of the USDA website. Below are some of their impressions of the homepage:
We spoke with 6 users, aged 38–51, to learn about their experiences with and perceptions of the USDA website. Below are some of their impressions of the homepage:
We spoke with 6 users, aged 38–51, to learn about their experiences with and perceptions of the USDA website. Below are some of their impressions of the homepage:
DEFINE
DEFINE
DEFINE
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Our research shows that the USDA homepage does not clearly communicate its objectives is difficult to navigate, and feels primarily targeted toward businesses, leaving public users underserved.
A redesign is needed to make the site more user-friendly and inclusive for all audiences.
Our research shows that the USDA homepage does not clearly communicate its objectives is difficult to navigate, and feels primarily targeted toward businesses, leaving public users underserved.
A redesign is needed to make the site more user-friendly and inclusive for all audiences.
Our research shows that the USDA homepage does not clearly communicate its objectives is difficult to navigate, and feels primarily targeted toward businesses, leaving public users underserved.
A redesign is needed to make the site more user-friendly and inclusive for all audiences.
Design Hypothesis
Design Hypothesis
Design Hypothesis
We hypothesize that by clarifying USDA’s objectives, improving the interface design, creating a public shortcuts section, adding a federal user login, and consolidating library pages, we can reduce cognitive load for both public and private sector users, making it easier for them to find key information.
We hypothesize that by clarifying USDA’s objectives, improving the interface design, creating a public shortcuts section, adding a federal user login, and consolidating library pages, we can reduce cognitive load for both public and private sector users, making it easier for them to find key information.
We hypothesize that by clarifying USDA’s objectives, improving the interface design, creating a public shortcuts section, adding a federal user login, and consolidating library pages, we can reduce cognitive load for both public and private sector users, making it easier for them to find key information.
Competitors Analysis
Competitors Analysis
Competitors Analysis
Value Proposition
Value Proposition
Value Proposition
IDEATE
IDEATE
IDEATE
Mood Board
Mood Board
Mood Board
Color Accessibility Assessment
Color Accessibility Assessment
Color Accessibility Assessment
Heuristics Evaluations
Heuristics Evaluations
Heuristics Evaluations
USDA Homepage
USDA
USDA
NRCS Homepage
NRCS
NRCS
Forms Library
Forms Library
Forms Library
From Scattered Pages to a Centralized Forms Library
From Scattered Pages to a Centralized Forms Library
From Scattered Pages to a Centralized Forms Library
Site Map
Site Map
Site Map
USDA Homepage
USDA
USDA Homepage
NRCS Homepage
NRCS Homepage
NRCS
PROTOTYPE
PROTOTYPE
PROTOTYPE
Lo-Fi Wireframes
Lo-Fi Wireframes
Lo-Fi Wireframes
USDA Homepage
USDA
NRCS Homepage
NRCS
Library Forms
Library Forms
Conservation Concerns
Conservation
'24-'25 Mid-Hi-Fi Wireframes
'24-'25 Mid-Hi-Fi Wireframes
'24-'25 Mid-Hi-Fi Wireframes
USDA Forms Library
USDA Forms Library
USDA Forms
USDA Homepage
USDA Homepage
USDA Homepage
Federal Worker App
Federal Worker App
Federal Worker App
Federal worker profile features (full demo in case study walkthrough)
Federal worker profile features (full demo in case study walkthrough)
Federal worker profile features (full demo in case study walkthrough)
NRCS Homepage
NRCS Homepage
Conservation
Conservation
NRCS Homepage
NRCS Conservation
TEST
TEST
TEST
Usability Testing Dashboard
Usability Testing Dashboard
Usability Testing Dashboard
Prior to the redesign, users tested the existing USDA platform. I later conducted follow-up testing using updated high-fidelity prototypes developed in 2024. Since then, the designs have continued evolving through multiple iterations. To present the progression clearly, I condensed the work into a comparative framework for each page.
Prior to the redesign, users tested the existing USDA platform. I later conducted follow-up testing using updated high-fidelity prototypes developed in 2024. Since then, the designs have continued evolving through multiple iterations. To present the progression clearly, I condensed the work into a comparative framework for each page.
Prior to the redesign, users tested the existing USDA platform. I later conducted follow-up testing using updated high-fidelity prototypes developed in 2024. Since then, the designs have continued evolving through multiple iterations. To present the progression clearly, I condensed the work into a comparative framework for each page.
Task Flow Evaluation
Task Flow Evaluation
Task Flow Evaluation
Key insight: Users struggled to locate the APHIS inspection form due to inconsistent filing across 29 agencies.
Recommendation:
Redesign the public-facing homepage to clarify mission areas and services.
Develop a centralized Forms Hub, organizing documents by agency while preserving compliance.
Prototyping impact: Gathered and categorized scattered documents to simplify access, improving transparency and usability.
Key insight: Users struggled to locate the APHIS inspection form due to inconsistent filing across 29 agencies.
Recommendation:
Redesign the public-facing homepage to clarify mission areas and services.
Develop a centralized Forms Hub, organizing documents by agency while preserving compliance.
Prototyping impact: Gathered and categorized scattered documents to simplify access, improving transparency and usability.
Key insight: Users struggled to locate the APHIS inspection form due to inconsistent filing across 29 agencies.
Recommendation:
Redesign the public-facing homepage to clarify mission areas and services.
Develop a centralized Forms Hub, organizing documents by agency while preserving compliance.
Prototyping impact: Gathered and categorized scattered documents to simplify access, improving transparency and usability.
Navigation Observations
Navigation Observations
Navigation Observations
Biotechnology → 6 pages, 5 clicks
APHIS → 3 pages, 2 clicks
Transgenic Plants Permit → 5 pages, 4 clicks
Biotechnology → 6 pages, 5 clicks
APHIS → 3 pages, 2 clicks
Transgenic Plants Permit → 5 pages, 4 clicks
Biotechnology → 6 pages, 5 clicks
APHIS → 3 pages, 2 clicks
Transgenic Plants Permit → 5 pages, 4 clicks
Feedback
Feedback
Feedback
Method: Reviewed with peers, mentors, and in-class critique sessions.
Positive Feedback: Recognized for strong inclusivity, accessibility, and alignment with USDA’s educational mission.
Constructive Feedback: Balancing minimalism with content depth proved challenging, and some navigation pathways were not intuitive.
Method: Reviewed with peers, mentors, and in-class critique sessions.
Positive Feedback: Recognized for strong inclusivity, accessibility, and alignment with USDA’s educational mission.
Constructive Feedback: Balancing minimalism with content depth proved challenging, and some navigation pathways were not intuitive.
Method: Reviewed with peers, mentors, and in-class critique sessions.
Positive Feedback: Recognized for strong inclusivity, accessibility, and alignment with USDA’s educational mission.
Constructive Feedback: Balancing minimalism with content depth proved challenging, and some navigation pathways were not intuitive.
OUTCOMES & IMPACT
OUTCOMES & IMPACT
OUTCOMES & IMPACT
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Developed a scalable navigation framework for a multi-agency ecosystem
Improved access to programs, services, and forms through clearer information architecture
Created a centralized forms strategy to reduce fragmentation
Designed solutions that balanced usability, accessibility, and organizational complexity
Explored opportunities to support both public users and internal staff
Developed a scalable navigation framework for a multi-agency ecosystem
Improved access to programs, services, and forms through clearer information architecture
Created a centralized forms strategy to reduce fragmentation
Designed solutions that balanced usability, accessibility, and organizational complexity
Explored opportunities to support both public users and internal staff
Developed a scalable navigation framework for a multi-agency ecosystem
Improved access to programs, services, and forms through clearer information architecture
Created a centralized forms strategy to reduce fragmentation
Designed solutions that balanced usability, accessibility, and organizational complexity
Explored opportunities to support both public users and internal staff
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
This project strengthened my ability to simplify complex systems into clear, user-centered workflows. It reinforced the value of combining research, strategy, and iterative testing when designing at scale.
The work also marked a shift in my design approach—from broad exploration to more focused, systems-level problem solving grounded in user needs and organizational goals.
This project strengthened my ability to simplify complex systems into clear, user-centered workflows. It reinforced the value of combining research, strategy, and iterative testing when designing at scale.
The work also marked a shift in my design approach—from broad exploration to more focused, systems-level problem solving grounded in user needs and organizational goals.
This project strengthened my ability to simplify complex systems into clear, user-centered workflows. It reinforced the value of combining research, strategy, and iterative testing when designing at scale.
The work also marked a shift in my design approach—from broad exploration to more focused, systems-level problem solving grounded in user needs and organizational goals.
Future Exploration
Future Exploration
Future Exploration
Build and validate an interactive navigation prototype
Refine secondary navigation patterns across agencies
Conduct broader usability testing with diverse user groups
Further explore cross-agency service integration
Build and validate an interactive navigation prototype
Refine secondary navigation patterns across agencies
Conduct broader usability testing with diverse user groups
Further explore cross-agency service integration
Build and validate an interactive navigation prototype
Refine secondary navigation patterns across agencies
Conduct broader usability testing with diverse user groups
Further explore cross-agency service integration
Designing thoughtful, human-centered experiences.
© 2026 Amanda Sahaida’s Artistry, LLC
Designing thoughtful, human-centered experiences.
© 2026 Amanda Sahaida’s Artistry, LLC
Designing thoughtful, human-centered experiences.
© 2026 Amanda Sahaida’s Artistry, LLC