Subud USA Archives
Client: Subud USA Archives, Subud USA, Beltsville, MD
Scope: Website design & development; information architecture; content systems member access configuration
Role: Design, UX, information architecture, front-end implementation, content systems planning
Platform: WordPress
Timeline: October 2019 – June 202 (plus ongoing maintenance and updates)
URL: susaarchives.com
Context: The Subud USA Archives website was developed to present curated selections from Subud-related archives, artistic contributions, and historical materials in an accessible digital format. The site emphasizes storytelling and discovery, offering an entry point into archival content rather than serving as a comprehensive preservation repository.
The Challenge: The organization needed a structured, searchable online archive capable of supporting diverse content types—including photography, publications, pioneers, and personal remembrances—while clearly distinguishing between public-facing resources and restricted, member-only content. The site also needed to feel cohesive and navigable despite the breadth and depth of material.
The Solution: I designed a developed a WordPress website with clear information architecture that supports both discovery and preservation. The system organizes archival content into distinct, navigable sections while maintaining visual consistency through restrained layouts and archival imagery. Public educational resources and community-facing content coexist with secured member-only areas, ensuring appropriate access without fragmenting the user experience.
Key design decisions included
Designing a multi-tier information architecture to support public, member-only, and donation-related content
Implementing access controls to clearly separate restricted materials from public resources
Creating flexible page templates to accommodate varied archival formats and media
Using photo collages and archival imagery to visually reinforce historic continuity
Integrating Mailchimp for subscription management and automated communications
The Result: The Subud USA Archives website functions as a living digital repository—making historically significant materials accessible, navigable, and preserved for future generations. The platform supports community memory, and cultural continuity, while remaining manageable for ongoing updates and stewardship.
What This Project Demonstrates
Content organization and archival UX design
Designing for mixed-access audiences (public vs. restricted content)
Translating complex, values-driven material into a clear digital system
Sensitivity to cultural and historical context without visual overstatement
