Thoughts

Thoughts and Articles from Blend Interactive

Joe Kepley  |  August 26, 2025

Blend's Position on AI

The decades between 1870 and 1920 brought a tremendous amount of change to America. While the Industrial Revolution really began in the late 1700’s with early innovations in mechanized manufacturing and factory processes, in the lead-up to the American Civil War, many goods were still created by hand, using armies of skilled craftsmen and women who would use their years of experience to turn out one item at a time.

AI  |  Strategy

August 15, 2025

What is a GEO Audit and Assessment?

How AI-powered search tools find and cite your content — and how a GEO audit identifies what to fix. What's involved, what it costs, and when you need one.

AI  |  Content and IA  |  Strategy

Sam Otis  |  July 25, 2025

Time to Freshen Up Your Design System?

Design systems take time to build. The speed, efficiency, and consistency they bring only begin to shine once you’ve developed a solid foundation of reusable components. But as your organization evolves, so do your needs.

Design and Front-End  |  Strategy

July 15, 2025

What is an Accessibility Audit and Assessment?

A key, signifying accessibility and E A A.

How a web accessibility audit evaluates your site against WCAG 2.2 AA — what's involved, what it covers, and how to prioritize what to fix.

Accessibility

Corey Vilhauer  |  June 17, 2025

Connecting Patients and Providers: A Guide to Upgrading Provider Search for Children’s Hospitals

When it comes to our children, even the smallest health concern can feel overwhelming. A lingering cough becomes a source of panic. A late-night fever turns into a frantic search for answers. In those moments, clarity and reassurance matter more than ever. But too often, the first point of contact — a hospital’s website — adds more confusion than comfort.

Healthcare  |  Content and IA  |  Development  |  Strategy

June 15, 2025

What is a UX Foundation Workshop and Roadmap?

A stethoscope shaped like the letters "UX".

Before committing to a redesign, most teams need to answer the same hard questions: Who is the site really for? What does success look like? What should happen first?

Content and IA  |  Design and Front-End  |  Discovery and Scoping

Corey Vilhauer  |  June 13, 2025

The Role of User Experience on a Children's Hospital Site

A stethoscope shaped like the letters "UX".

Designing a website for a children's hospital is unlike any other UX challenge. It’s not about selling a product or promoting a service; it's about providing care and support in a time of crisis.

Healthcare  |  Content and IA  |  Strategy

Corey Vilhauer  |  May 28, 2025

Understanding EAA, ADA, and WCAG: A Framework of Accessibility Guidelines

A key, signifying accessibility and E A A.

Web accessibility isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a commitment to inclusive, thoughtful design. As more of our lives move online, making the web accessible to all users is no longer optional. It’s essential.

Accessibility

May 15, 2025

What is a Design Audit?

 A computer monitor being filled with water.

How a design audit evaluates your website's visual design, brand consistency, and UI patterns — and helps you decide between a refresh, a redesign, or targeted fixes.

 

Design and Front-End  |  Digital Optimization

Bob Davidson  |  May 13, 2025

On Technical Debt

A set of colored lines turning into a bundled mess, signifying technical debt.

It doesn’t matter how fast you move or how much you plan; websites accumulate technical debt.

Development  |  Strategy