Case Study
UX/UI Web Design for Is My MP a Landlord?
Team
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2 investigative journalists
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2 back-end devs
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1 front-end dev
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1 designer
Tools
Challenge
Canadian citizens lacked an accessible way to investigate potential conflicts of interest among their elected representatives regarding housing policies. Complex disclosure documents and fragmented information sources created barriers to government transparency, leaving voters unable to easily assess whether their representatives had financial stakes that might influence housing-related decisions.
Approach
Working collaboratively with a dedicated team of investigative journalists and volunteer developers, I led the design of a citizen-focused transparency platform. The project prioritized usability and accessibility to ensure all Canadians could engage with this critical civic information, regardless of technical expertise or ability.
Highlights
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Intuitive filtering system with clearly labeled option, keyboard nav support and a clear path to reset
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Interactive glossary terms that provide users quickly with valuable information without loosing their place
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One-click CSV download of filtered search results that captures user query patterns to inform future data visualization priorities and identify the most sought-after information categories
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More descriptive links to individual details for better discoverability, accessibility and SEO
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Icons as visual indicators for improved content scanning
Key Solutions
The new design features an intuitive interface with simple party, province, or asset-based lookup functionality that allows users to find representatives through multiple pathways, while clear visualization through clean, scannable cards effectively communicates potential conflicts of interest using plain-language explanations.
The solution prioritizes accessibility with screen reader compatibility, high contrast elements, multiple information access methods, easily accessible terminology, and a highly accessible baseline experience for all users. Built with a mobile-first approach, the responsive design ensures full functionality across all devices and connection speeds, making critical transparency information available to everyone regardless of their technology or accessibility needs.
Impact
The platform successfully democratizes access to government accountability information, transforming complex financial disclosures into understandable, actionable insights for Canadian citizens. The collaborative approach with investigative journalists ensures accuracy while the focus on accessibility expanded civic engagement to previously underserved communities.
This project demonstrated the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration in civic technology. By combining journalistic rigor with user-centered design and community-focused development, we created a tool that serves democracy while maintaining the highest standards of usability and inclusion.
Year
2025