Design at VA
Learn how to meet the VA.gov experience standards, communicate what you’re building throughout the design process and contribute back to our design community.
Quick resources
Community-based resources
Join the accessibility champions (a11y champs) community
Design
Find design system components and patterns most appropriate for your team's design.
Accessibility
We’re here to help you design with inclusivity in mind and meet accessibility standards. These accessibility resources will help you meet those standards when it’s time for your staging review.
General resources
Foundational testing (required)
Advanced testing (recommended)
Get accessibility guidance early from the CAIA team
The Sitewide Content, Accessibility, and Information Architecture (CAIA) team can help you meet VA.gov’s accessibility standards. Whether you’re starting a new product or refining an existing one, contact the CAIA team as early as possible to create accurate, consistent, accessible, and equitable content for Veterans.
Submit a Sitewide Content, Accessibility, and IA intake form ticket in GitHub to get started.
Content
These resources will help you ensure that the content in your digital service is consistent, helpful, and empathetic.
Error messages:
Forms:
Information Architecture
User flow guidance
This guidance explores best practices along with links to examples of previous work. Information Architects on the CAIA Team are available to collaborate with you if you have questions or need help. Reach out in the #sitewide-content-accessibility-ia Slack channel for assistance.
Modernized VA.gov site maps
These site maps don't include every page within a form flow - just the initial page, but they do include all pages of other tools. These are regularly updated as part of the IA design process.
FAQs
Do I have to design mobile-first if the metrics for my feature show that most users are on a desktop?
We design mobile-first because it surfaces the most important tasks and information in the most contained context. Considering a smaller form factor before a larger one helps you prioritize the information and choices most critical to the user.
Do I need to have my prototype reviewed by the Collaboration Cycle before including it in a usability test?
Yes, if part of your plan includes showing participants a prototype, you’ll need to have the thing you're testing ready and reviewed by the Collaboration Cycle a week (minimum) before starting your research sessions. This will typically be a Midpoint Review. This will ensure that what you’re showing Veterans meets the VA.gov quality standards.
Help and feedback
Get help from the Platform Support Team in Slack.
Submit a feature idea to the Platform.