CDC CASE STUDY

Modernizing a Design System

CDC needed to modernize NBS, a complex disease-surveillance platform, using the U.S. Web Design System. USWDS provided an accessible foundation but lacked the components required for NBS's data-intensive workflows

CLIENT: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ROLE: Lead User Experience Designer

Diagram representing a cohesive, accessible, and scalable design system

FOCUS

Design-system strategy, accessibility, and workflow design

APPROACH

Brand workshop, interface audit, and component expansion

OUTCOME

A more cohesive and scalable experience across NBS

Alignment

Modernize NBS's interface using USWDS for consistency and accessibility.

Performance

Support data-heavy, workflow-intensive tasks unique to public health professionals.

Scalability

Establish a sustainable design foundation for enhancements and cross-agency collaboration.

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THE OUTCOME

A cohesive system built for real NBS workflows

The expanded design system brought USWDS accessibility and consistency into a product with substantially more complex needs. It gave teams a shared framework for designing and building NBS while improving visual cohesion, usability, and long-term scalability.

The strongest design systems do more than standardize appearance—they help teams make better product decisions together.

Trophy illustration representing the project outcome