SiepsAccessibility and User Experience at the core of Sieps’ new website in Umbraco
Sieps – the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies – works independently and broadly to highlight issues concerning European politics. Through analyses, reports, and seminars, they provide insights and knowledge to the Swedish government and other key actors in the policymaking process, both in Sweden and across the EU.
When Sieps approached us at KAN, their needs were clear: they wanted a modern, easy-to-navigate website that would be fully accessible to all users.
The work we create
The challenge was beyond a technical upgrade
As a government agency, it is essential for Sieps that their material is easy to find, understand, and engage with – regardless of a user’s prior knowledge or functional ability. Their previous website was difficult to navigate, inaccessible, and did not reflect the important role Sieps plays in the political landscape.
On top of that, the brand lacked a cohesive visual identity that could tie together communications across different channels.
Brand refresh, accessibility, and development in Umbraco
We began with a pre-study to map out needs connected to functionality, user experience, and identity. Based on this, we carried out a comprehensive process that included:
Brand refresh and visual update
During the pre-study, we identified the need to strengthen Sieps’ visual identity. We conducted a brand audit and hosted workshops with the client to define direction, positioning, and expression.
The outcome was a refreshed visual identity featuring:
- A color system that meets accessibility standards without compromising on expression or flexibility.
- Typography that conveys Sieps’ credibility and makes content accessible both digitally and in print.
- A dynamic gradient that visually illustrates how Sieps explores different societal issues in depth.
Accessibility according to WCAG
For the new website, we ensured that everything – from color contrasts and typography to keyboard navigation, focus indicators, and logical page structure – followed WCAG guidelines. The result is a seamless, inclusive user experience that meets today’s high accessibility standards.
UX and web development in Umbraco
The website was built in Umbraco CMS and designed to deliver a clear and intuitive experience – both for visitors and for editors who manage the site daily. We also developed a workflow that simplifies publishing full-text reports, tailored to Sieps’ quality assurance processes.
The Result
Sieps now has a modern, accessible, and user-friendly website that more accurately reflects their role as a credible and independent source of knowledge. It combines a strong visual identity with robust technical functionality and serves as a key tool for the agency to make complex knowledge available to everyone.
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