The portfolio of wes stäbler
“They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.”
—Edgar Allan Poe
Collaborating with Brian Srikanchana (Founder of Cadet Portfolio), I designed the user interface for Cadet Portfolio, which was adopted by the US Army in 2020 and is used by every jrotc cadet and instructor in the nation (over 350,000 cadets).
The tool we developed as a learning management platform fundamentally transformed the jrotc experience for high school cadets, instructors, and administrators. In 2021, it increased cadet's test scores by 17%, reduced clerical work for instructors by 24%, and in the words of a retired Army jrotc administrator, "I wish we'd had this tool when I was an admin."
Collaborating with Brian Srikanchana and a team of developers, I designed a comprehensive eLearning platform uniquely designed for the US Army's Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (jrotc) program. This platform's intuitive user interface makes it easy for cadets to access their assignments, grades, and more, while interactive reports provide instructors and Army leadership insights into the effectiveness of their jrotc program.
I designed technology-based solutions to enhance education for students, teachers, and Army leadership, helping secure an Army contract for Cadet Portfolio. I created interactive learning spaces that simplify instruction and improve student engagement and test scores.
Created an intuitive user experience for cadets and instructors, designed wireframes and prototypes, and iteratively tested designs to ensure they met expectations. I collaborated closely with developers and product managers to ensure that the visual design, usability, and functionality aligned for a seamless user experience.
This role involved analyzing trends (such as the design language used for the Army rebrand), military user behaviors, and competitive landscapes (other edtech companies contracted by the military) to develop a clear brand identity, which cultivated strong connections with the brand and the platform's users.
Georgia Career Navigator is a digital tool my business partner and I are building to empower Georgia's residents to make more informed career decisions. Collaborating with, and at the request of the Governor's Office of Georgia and the United States Department of Defense (US DoD), this tool will connect Georgia's future workforce with personalized educational pathways, career resources, and industry insights.
As project manager for GA Career Navigator, I oversee the development and execution of the project to ensure that it meets the needs of high school students, college students, and anyone looking to change careers.
I create intuitive interfaces with a strong focus on accessibility that guide users through career exploration and educational resources. I aim to design the platform in an engaging and user-friendly way for individuals of all ages and abilities.
I'm putting together a brand identity that resonates with audiences as varied as middle school students to Georgia policymakers. My part involves defining the platform’s messaging, visual language, and user experience to ensure it speaks well to a wide audience.
I'm organizing information to create a user-centered experience. I hope to create a clear hierarchy that ensures easy navigation with a strong focus on accessibility while aligning educational resources and career tools with users' needs and the governor's objectives.
My passion is in edtech and creating tools that genuinely help people. But sometimes, I need to get creative in more commercial ways (my kids want things). For the past 4 years, I've worked as Creative Director for a national conglomerate in the environmental sciences industry. I'm the Creative & Digital Lead for a local non-profit organization, and I freelance when a great project comes along if I have the time to take it on.
Whichever hat I wear on any given day, I bring the same dedication and craft to all my work. I hope that drive is reflected in the following case studies.
Interactive maps & reports for Army recruiters to visualize their future workforce.
This case study features branding, packaging, and web design for products that keep your home clean and microbe-free.
Branding and web design for a startup law firm specializing in personal injury and renters' rights.
Curious about any of these here projects? Need a designer to get all your pixels where they go? Go ahead and fill in all those empty boxes in that there form down below, and we'll talk at how I can help you.
