Establishing a new, scalable design system on a multi-site strategy
PPG came to us during a time of transition: a new name representing a broader vision, anchored by the Procurement Excellence Network, an established and respected initiative in the field. Our challenge was to craft a digital framework that wouldn’t let PEN eclipse the organization’s emerging identity and new initiatives — a framework that could both honor PEN’s presence and provide space for future growth.
We designed a multi-site strategy powered by a modular design system, using color to visually distinguish between programs and ensure scalability. This system allows new initiatives to start small — perhaps as a single landing page — and mature into full-fledged subsites, just like PEN. With a solid runway already in place for other programs of similar ambition, PPG now has the infrastructure to grow confidently, maintaining clarity and cohesion across its evolving ecosystem.
Enhancing the authenticated member experience to increase engagement
At the heart of PEN is a mission to cultivate a vibrant, collaborative community of government procurement professionals — a space where members not only learn together, but also teach and support one another. PEN is home to a robust library of resources, and its original members-only section boasted user profiles and a message board designed to spark conversation and connection.
Our goal was to maintain all the core functionality, but make the experience more engaging, more useful — and ultimately more used. We introduced features like content bookmarking for easier access to key materials, profile badges to showcase achievements and expertise, and a prominent “Ask Me Anything” banner to encourage peer-to-peer mentorship. We also redesigned how community conversations surface, making it easier to browse by topic or tag, and applied a visual refresh to make the entire space feel more dynamic and inviting.
The result is a more participatory, rewarding digital community — one that better reflects the energy and expertise of its members.
