Reimagining Site Search for Broader Access
Subect to Climate - Universal Search Redesign
SUMMARY
Subject to Climate is a nonprofit organization providing free climate change education resources to educators.
For this project, I redesigned the core site search page to enable universal search functionality, expanding from two search categories to six. Using Figma and competitive research, I crafted a detailed handoff file and pseudo-coded the results to support seamless developer implementation.
The Challenge
I was tasked with redesigning the search page to cohesively accommodate six distinct resource types, ensuring visual consistency while enhancing the platform's search and discovery capabilities.
The open-ended nature of the brief posed a unique challenge: crafting a unified design that balanced functionality, clarity, and an aesthetic aligned with educational values.
PRELIMINARY RESEARCH
Research
Competitive research meant looking at resource sites teachers frequent to discover design systems they are already used to.
Filters
Grade and Resource-type filters were a common occurrence
Color Coding
Different categories were assigned different colors
Content division
Contents were often divided in table-like sections
Design Goals
Using our research and project brief from my supervisor, I created clear design goals for this redesign.
Content Distinction
Show all results in a cohesive and efficient manner
Intuitive Navigation
Create a simple structure that the user can easily follow
Filters
Add Grade and Resource-types filters that are easily identifiable
DESIGN - Search page
Features
"Made by Us" and "By External Providers" content
Search bar
Search items
Desires
6 resource categories to search between
Additional Filters
Features
Visible filters
6 categories to choose from
Suggestive search bar
Concerns
Users must scroll to view all categories, which may hinder quick comparison.
The header feels visually busy, making it hard to absorb information at a glance.
Design Decisions
Flush file folder tab system
Introduced a flush file-folder tab system for intuitive organization.
Aligned visual style with educational content for consistency.
Used clear labels and color-coded buttons to support quick scanning and navigation.
F shape
Filters follow an F-shaped layout, optimizing for natural scanning behavior and quick comprehension.
Minimal header
Highlights key filters, with secondary options accessible in the left column for deeper refinement.
DESIGN - Search pop-up
Features
Search bar
results
Desires
The pop-up should portray a limited version of the Universal Sarch page
Design Decisions
Color Consistency
Used clear labels and color-coded buttons to support quick scanning and navigation.
Search bar seperation
Floating search bar leads users eyes to
Category indication
Green outline around the category easily identifies which section the user is on
NEXT STEPS
We’re just getting started!
This version of the Universal Search is currently in development and visible on SubjectToClimate’s website.
Next up: user testing. We’ll conduct interviews and task-based usability tests to evaluate the search flow. I’m excited to return to user research and gather insights that will make the experience even more intuitive and effective.
REFLECTION
Working on this real-world project at SubjectToClimate has been incredibly rewarding, especially given my passion for climate education. Designing solutions that make it easier for teachers to find and use high-quality resources feels especially meaningful—knowing it supports educators in inspiring the next generation of climate advocates.
What I’ve Learned:
Adapting quickly by making design edits during live meetings.
Effectively communicating my design decisions, both visually and in writing.
Collaborating with developers through detailed handoffs and using pseudo-code to bridge the gap between design and implementation.
FINAL DESIGN
This design is currently in development. You can view the live version in progress on the SubjectToClimate website.
Search Page
Search Pop-up