I led the website redesign efforts for this core academic department. This non-trivial task involved documenting and redesigning the legacy information architecture and content strategy, meeting regularly with content owners and stakeholders to assure their needs were being met, designing experiential solutions to meet the needs of a diverse group of stakeholders and users, and re-inventing the entire web presence of this institutionalized academic department to more efficiently serve its modern web-savvy audience.
Developed comprehensive documentation of the legacy website.
Designed a content strategy to cover the same information with zero redundancy.
Worked closely with various OSU entities to establish the requirements and restrictions for the new website, to be built on the Drupal 7 platform.
Met regularly with stakeholders to discuss their own needs for the new website.
Developed wireframes, diagrams. and questionnaires to communicate with and collect feedback from all stakeholders.
Developed numerous usability innovations, which allowed this academic website to stand out from others and receive much recognition.
Graduate School home page, showing a novel approach to information architecture. The image carousel (and the "boxed" content bellow it) presents "promoted" content from within the website, driving visitors to important information. The main navigational elements make use of typical "audience based navigation" typically found in academic sites, as well as "topic based navigation" found on most other informative sites. Additionally, this screen shot shows the use of a modern "Contact Us" button that stays within view while scrolling the page.
Important consideration needs to be given to potential international applicants, making sure they understand the particular requirements. We accomplished this need with a much simplified and improved content layout, making use of a callout box directing visitors to the relevant information. Also, take note of the care given to the side bar navigation, in keeping it simple and visually interesting.
This screenshot highlights the "Notifications" tool developed specifically for the Graduate School website. Notifications appear at the top of website pages, informing visitors of contextually important and time sensitive information. They can be created and edited using a custom maintenance page. Each one can have an icon, static or repeating dates, and multiple website sections associated with it; these control how, when, and where it will be displayed.
This screenshot shows the main page for the "Graduate Programs" section, and highlights the many architectural and design features incorporated in this most popular of all Graduate School website sections. From the faceted search tool, to the expandable details, to the "tag-like" informative labels, this page is focused on helping visitors to find the right graduate major, minor, or certificate. Each program listed has additional information available on it's own page, as well as important contact and website links available as icons in this list.
This screenshot shows the main page for the "Graduate Programs" section, and highlights the many architectural and design features incorporated in this most popular of all Graduate School website sections. From the faceted search tool, to the expandable details, to the "tag-like" informative labels, this page is focused on helping visitors to find the right graduate major, minor, or certificate. Each program listed has additional information available on it's own page, as well as important contact and website links available as icons in this list.
This screenshot highlights the use of the "contact card" design pattern, which is incorporated throughout the site whenever personal contact information is displayed.
