University Blog Redesign

Creating More Accessible Content Experiences

Monthly updates webpage is one of the main section in the blog that has received complains from graduate students that it is too long to read. I realized the need of improving the monthly updates webpage.

Client

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Department at Simon Fraser University

Duration

3 weeks

Team

Key Stakeholders, Marketing Manager

Scope of work

Web Design

HTML & CSS

JavaScript

User Research

Data Analytics

Wireframing

AEM

Cross-functional Collaboration

This project was discussed during the CAPE Team meeting, I learned that the department is currently undertaking website development, and all sections on the website, including the blog that I managed, should be re-designed for better user-experience.

The previous monthly website was long and updated every month along with the monthly email sent to graduate students. In the focus group Tomke (International Graduate Student Coordinator) conduct, graduate students were asked about their experiences of using the department’s website and accessing the resource and information. They mentioned the information on the monthly updates page is helpful but it is too long to read that they give up reading. In this way, it proves that access to information is not efficient.

The previous webpage was arranged into index, it lists all sections below for students to jump to the right section that they are interested in. However, it lists so many of them that it becomes text-heavy and some sections are inter-connected, which causes confusion. In this way, I designed a static menu bar that only listed four categories.

• Capturing Attention in the First 8 SecondsI learned how critical it is to grab the audience’s attention within the first 8 seconds. By designing visually engaging and emotionally compelling openings, I ensured that viewers were immediately drawn into the content, improving overall engagement.​• Storytelling and Marketing InsightsThrough this project, I gained a deeper understanding of the intersection between storytelling and marketing. I realized that effective marketing is not just about showcasing features but about creating a compelling narrative that resonates with the audience, builds excitement, and drives action.• Streaming the Production ProcessI learned to effectively collaborate with animators, developers, modelers, and VFX artists while adapting to a fast-paced environment. This experience sharpened my time management and prioritization skills, allowing me to streamline workflows and deliver high-quality drafts, incorporate feedback, and produce final videos efficiently without sacrificing quality.

The main advantages of this new design for the monthly updates pages:

URL of the page stays the same instead of creating a new webpage (new URL) every month to announce updates.

Clear categories with shorter section information

Emphasizes the important content in the new layout so that students would be less likely to miss it

Highlight student profiles and their research for future recruitment and current students to expand connections and build community.

After designing the website, I created a survey for graduate students to provide feedback on the new design. Over 70% of the participants were satisfied with the current design, content, way of access, length and interactivity with the email. Many were especially happy with the shorter length of information on the website and the easy access of information.

• Capturing Attention in the First 8 SecondsI learned how critical it is to grab the audience’s attention within the first 8 seconds. By designing visually engaging and emotionally compelling openings, I ensured that viewers were immediately drawn into the content, improving overall engagement.​• Storytelling and Marketing InsightsThrough this project, I gained a deeper understanding of the intersection between storytelling and marketing. I realized that effective marketing is not just about showcasing features but about creating a compelling narrative that resonates with the audience, builds excitement, and drives action.• Streaming the Production ProcessI learned to effectively collaborate with animators, developers, modelers, and VFX artists while adapting to a fast-paced environment. This experience sharpened my time management and prioritization skills, allowing me to streamline workflows and deliver high-quality drafts, incorporate feedback, and produce final videos efficiently without sacrificing quality.