Designed, Developed, and Maintain Trusted Literacy Resource Hub for Educators

AIM

The client

A nonprofit transforming how children learn to read by turning literacy science into practical tools for educators. Their work centers on taking the latest scientific research about literacy and turning it into practical tools, training, and instructional methods that educators can use in real classrooms. They also support students with language‑based learning differences and foster a community of researchers, teachers, and innovators committed to improving literacy outcomes for all.

Industry:

Education

What we did

Data & Analytics
Engineering
Research
Design
UX Strategy
Learn about our services →

Outcomes

4 Month
turnaround to launch consumer-facing website with Shopify integration
2 Rounds
of usability testing to gather feedback and improve the final product
Consolidated
KPI dashboard in Power BI providing a snapshot of user behavior and feature engagement
"AIM Nexus is LIVE – and it’s because of you. You each brought your talents, strengths, and skills to help bring Nexus from an aspirational concept to a live solution that positions AIM for future growth and impact."
Russ Kliman, Head of Innovation & Technology Strategy

Key takeaways

  1. Build a trusted literacy hub and community
  2. Provided guidance on technical integrations and design while client provided domain expertise
  3. Build a Community and Generate Revenue
01.

Build a trusted literacy hub and community

Project summary

Nexus is a centralized literacy hub designed as both an entry point and a lasting resource for educators seeking to deepen their literacy instruction expertise. This digital platform is rooted in the belief that high-quality, equitable instruction begins with knowledgeable educators who have access to trustworthy, relevant, and practical tools based on interdisciplinary, scientifically rigorous research on reading, often referred to as the science of reading (The Reading League [TRL], 2022). Nexus is designed to support professional growth, offer differentiated pathways, and serve as a central hub where research and practice converge. It honors and supports educators as highly qualified professionals working to develop their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide high-quality, effective instructional practices.  

Nexus will become an essential destination for educators who want to grow their knowledge and instructional impact. Through guidance, practical tools, and opportunities for deep thinking and collaboration, Nexus will support educators in building confident, equitable, research-aligned literacy practice, and staying connected to a professional learning community that evolves with them. Nexus will not only enhance educator support but also create a new revenue stream for AIM through premium features and services.

Our process

Agile Design

Conducted research, gathered business requirements and created a prototype

Usability testing

Conducted two rounds of user testing to validate and gather feedback

Iteration

Incorporated feedback to improve the user experience

02.

Provided guidance on technical integrations and design while client provided domain expertise

Recommendations

  • Conducted usability testing and recommended UX improvements based on real user feedback
  • Advised on technical infrastructure — CMS, cloud platform, search tooling — to support long-term growth
  • Guided Shopify setup and integrated ongoing support and maintenance
  • Provide ongoing support and maintenance

03.

Build a Community and Generate Revenue

Impact

Quality instruction starts with confident educators who have access to credible, research-aligned resources. We’re proud to introduce AIM Nexus — a literacy hub where research and practice converge. This new website houses research-backed explanations of foundational literacy skills, along with comprehensive guidance on activities to support their development. Nexus also features a weekly advice column, deep investigations into nuanced, complex, and sometimes controversial topics in literacy, and more! Nexus offers a free curated set of literacy resources each month, with optional paid plans for expanded access.

Work with us

Ready to build what's next?

Let's bring your next product to life with clarity, speed, and results that last.