We sourced authentic-feeling stock photography for the website and created fun, engaging custom icons to balance the photography.
Multiple collaborators, a pre-defined site framework and COVID-related logistics were all hurdles that Kao faced when setting out to create a new website for the Americas region. Our partnership enabled the company to launch a site that celebrates their unique employer brand while also aligning with the organization’s global framework.
Challenge
Since the 1880’s, the Kao Group has steadily grown into a global company with a rich history and well-defined brand. The Americas region, with locations across the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, needed a website that accurately and effectively captured what was unique to them, while laddering up to the Kao corporate brand.
Multiple collaborators, a pre-defined site framework and COVID-related logistics were all hurdles that Kao faced when the team engaged Sanger & Eby for help in strategizing and designing their new web presence.
Services:
Content audit/inventory Content development Information architecture development User interface design Custom illustration Photography art direction Design consultation
Multiple collaborators, a pre-defined site framework and COVID-related logistics were all hurdles that Kao faced when setting out to create a new website for the Americas region. Our partnership enabled the company to launch a site that celebrates their unique employer brand while also aligning with the organization’s global framework.
Services:
Content audit/inventory Content development Information architecture development User interface design Custom illustration Photography art direction Design consultationChallenge
Since the 1880’s, the Kao Group has steadily grown into a global company with a rich history and well-defined brand. The Americas region, with locations across the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, needed a website that accurately and effectively captured what was unique to them, while laddering up to the Kao corporate brand.
Multiple collaborators, a pre-defined site framework and COVID-related logistics were all hurdles that Kao faced when the team engaged Sanger & Eby for help in strategizing and designing their new web presence.
Strategy
The team at Kao called Sanger & Eby into the website redesign after beginning the initiative with another partner. Because of this, our first step was to review the existing sitemap and wireframes created by the previous company. Knowing that the Americas website would need to fit seamlessly within the framework of Kao’s global site, we also looked at the design system used across the corporation’s existing sites.
Our UX team then revised the sitemap with the aim of streamlining it, removing duplicates and enhancing the user experience.
Then we got to work creating content that celebrates Kao, their new employer brand and unique attributes of the Americas Region. Armed with the new sitemap and content, we revised the wireframes.
The COVID-19 pandemic made the logistics for an in-person photoshoot untenable, so instead we sourced stock photography for the website and created fun, engaging custom icons to balance the photography.
Finally, we worked closely with the client’s internal development team to build out the site, providing copy documents, assets and recommendations for development to align with current accessibility guidelines.
Results
The Kao Americas Region site launched in the summer of 2021. We’re excited by the client’s positive response and are currently planning for future updates and enhancements. The website is a tremendous representation of Kao’s employer brand and the culture of the Americas region.