Parent App theming

As the Product Designer on this project, I designed both the original parent app theming feature and its later redesign. The feature allows schools to personalise the parent app with their own logo, banner and colours.

I created the first version by collaborating with schools and stakeholders to shape a simple, recognisable experience that reflected each school’s identity.
For the redesign, I validated the existing setup with schools, refined the flow using the new SIMS Design System, and improved accessibility to meet WCAG AA standards. The updated experience is fully designed, developed, and ready for release.

Role

Product Designer

Project type

Feature enhancement

What

Web & Mobile app

The challenge

ParentApp theming was originally created to help parents recognise school communications as coming directly from their child’s school. Adding logos, banners and colour themes made the app feel more personal, reduced confusion, and lowered support calls.

As part of SIMS ecosystem consolidation, the setup experience needed to be modernised, aligned with the new Design System, and updated to meet WCAG AA standards. Although the redesign was prompted by system changes rather than user dissatisfaction, it gave us the opportunity to speak with schools, confirm the feature still met their needs, and identify areas for future improvement.

My challenge was to update the theming setup to meet modern accessibility and design standards while preserving the simplicity and familiarity that schools and parents already valued.

Below:

Timeline overview

This case study presents the project using my current design process, while acknowledging that the original work took place in late 2017.

Below:

Before & after

Phase 1