AIM

Client

AIM

Year

2025

Timeline

16 weeks

Services

UX DesignEngineeringStrategyResearchData & Analytics

The client

AIM is a nonprofit transforming how children learn to read by turning literacy science into practical tools for educators. Their work centers on translating the latest research on reading and literacy into training, instructional methods, and classroom-ready resources that teachers can put to use immediately. AIM also supports students with language-based learning differences and fosters a community of researchers, teachers, and innovators committed to improving literacy outcomes for all.

Project summary

Nexus is a centralized literacy hub designed as both an entry point and a lasting resource for educators seeking to deepen their literacy instruction expertise. This digital platform is rooted in the belief that high-quality, equitable instruction begins with knowledgeable educators who have access to trustworthy, relevant, and practical tools based on interdisciplinary, scientifically rigorous research on reading, often referred to as the science of reading (The Reading League [TRL], 2022). Nexus is designed to support professional growth, offer differentiated pathways, and serve as a central hub where research and practice converge. It honors and supports educators as highly qualified professionals working to develop their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide high-quality, effective instructional practices.

Nexus will become an essential destination for educators who want to grow their knowledge and instructional impact. Through guidance, practical tools, and opportunities for deep thinking and collaboration, Nexus will support educators in building confident, equitable, research-aligned literacy practice, and staying connected to a professional learning community that evolves with them. Nexus will not only enhance educator support but also create a new revenue stream for AIM through premium features and services.

Process

Agile Design

Conducted research, gathered business requirements and created a prototype

Usability testing

Conducted two rounds of user testing to validate and gather feedback

Iteration

Incorporated feedback to improve the user experience

Recommendations

We conducted usability testing with real users and translated that feedback into actionable UX improvements across AIM's platform. We advised on technical infrastructure decisions spanning CMS, cloud platform, and search tooling to support long-term growth, and guided the setup and integration of their Shopify environment. Nimbl continues to provide ongoing support and maintenance as AIM's technology partner.

Impact

Quality instruction starts with confident educators who have access to credible, research-aligned resources. We’re proud to introduce AIM Nexus — a literacy hub where research and practice converge. This new website houses research-backed explanations of foundational literacy skills, along with comprehensive guidance on activities to support their development. Nexus also features a weekly advice column, deep investigations into nuanced, complex, and sometimes controversial topics in literacy, and more! Nexus offers a free curated set of literacy resources each month, with optional paid plans for expanded access.

AIM

Outcomes

The numbers.

4 Month

turnaround to launch consumer-facing website with Shopify integration

2 Rounds

of usability testing to gather feedback and improve the final product

Consolidated

KPI dashboard in Power BI providing a snapshot of user behavior and feature engagement