A Digital Refresh for Vail Veterans Program: Honoring Service with Design

The BLKDG team takes immense pride in partnering with organizations that make a tangible difference in the world. One of our most meaningful collaborations to date has been with the Vail Veterans Program (VVP). Dedicated to empowering wounded service members and their families through world-class therapeutic programs, VVP’s mission is both inspiring and vital. We approached their website refresh with the dedication and care their mission deserves.

The previous Vail Veterans Program website had served its purpose but was ready for a transformation. It needed to better reflect the organization’s evolving mission, convey their impact with clarity, and provide an intuitive user experience for veterans, donors, and community partners alike. The challenge was to craft a site that resonated emotionally while remaining functional and accessible.

Every successful project begins with a deep understanding of the client’s needs and goals, and the Vail Veterans Program was no exception. Our discovery phase was comprehensive and collaborative, ensuring we captured the essence of what makes VVP’s mission so impactful. We engaged with VVP’s team uncover their vision, pain points, and priorities for the new website. These conversations provided invaluable insights that shaped our approach. To deepen our understanding, we analyzed the key audiences to identify their unique needs and expectations, which helped us prioritize features that would deliver the greatest value.

The BLKDG team approached this project with a clear focus to ensure VVP’s digital presence would stand out and solidify leadership in their space:

1. Highlighting Impact Stories: VVP’s programs change lives, and their website needed to showcase these stories effectively. We designed a visually engaging platform where testimonials, imagery, and video content take center stage.
2. Streamlined Navigation: With several user groups—including veterans, donors, and volunteers—our goal was to create an intuitive structure that allowed users to find relevant information quickly.
3. Showcasing Programs and Resources: Dedicated sections highlight the full range of therapeutic programs and support services available, ensuring veterans and their families can easily access the help they need.
4. Modern Visual Identity: While staying true to the VVP brand, we introduced updated design elements and a clean layout to amplify their professionalism and appeal.

The new website boasts several key features designed to enhance user experience and effectively communicate VVP’s mission. These include impactful storytelling through participant stories and media, an enhanced donation experience that simplifies contributing to their cause, a fully responsive design for seamless access across all devices, and clear calls-to-action that guide users toward meaningful engagement.

The refreshed Vail Veterans Program website (vailveteransprogram.org) now stands as a fitting digital home for their impactful work. Visitors can easily connect with the organization’s mission, explore available programs, and contribute to their cause with confidence.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support the Vail Veterans Program in their incredible mission. It’s collaborations like this that remind us why we do what we do—using design and technology to empower organizations making a real difference.

To learn more about the Vail Veterans Program and explore their new website, visit vailveteransprogram.org.