As most important expert institution for environment in Austria and as leading environmental advisor in Europe, the Environment Agency Austria stands for the safeguarding of sustainable living conditions. In addition to developing the basis for decision-making at local, regional, European and international level, the institution is also responsible for the development and operation of environmental IT solutions for the federal and state governments. Together with the Austrian Institute of Technology, a "Living Styleguide" was developed, which serves as the user interface basis for the existing and future applications of the Environment Agency Austria. All WCAG 2.1 criteria for accessibility as well as specifications of the Republic of Austria for IT solutions and the e-government style guide were considered.
For projects of the Environment Agency Austria in the area of e-services and e-government solutions, a universally applicable design system in the form of a digital living style guide was to be developed. This should contain, describe, and illustrate all available components and the rules and regulations that apply to them for a broad spectrum of user groups.
The created style guide should ensure that users are offered contemporary and consistent usability across all applications, regardless of the data-intensive information presentation. At the same time, the technical and visual renewal as well as the barrier-free design should be simplified.
In collaboration with the Austrian Institute of Technology, the existing style guide was first analyzed. Experts from the fields of usability, user experience, and user interface design supported the Environment Agency Austria in coordination with the development team in the creation of central design guidelines and drafted a guideline as well as a reference work for new, but also existing applications.
Through the ongoing exchange with application teams, constant further development, and versioning of releases, compatibility for older and new applications is continuously ensured. This opens up scope for additions to the functional scope as well as definition and documentation needs for application rules and requests for new components.
Getreidemarkt 1, 1st Floor, Top 10, 1060 Wien | T +43 1 264 4248 | office@digitalwerk.agency | Mo–Thu: 09:30–17:00, Fr: 9:30–12:30
©digitalwerk GmbH 2023
