I initiated this project to analyze usability data collected from real users of diverse demographics interacting with the Desert Vista High School website. In response to the insights gained from the usability data, I recognized the need to address and resolve the issues identified by the users, leading to the redesign of the website's homepage.
I embarked on this project to analyze usability data obtained through real users interacting with the Desert Vista High School website. Users, spanning diverse demographics, reported challenges with the Home page, struggling to locate links, essential information, announcements, and calendar events. Recognizing the critical importance of addressing these issues, I undertook the task of redesigning the website's homepage to enhance accessibility and ensure a seamless user experience for everyone.
To elevate the user experience, I formulated recommendations for refining the layout of the main page and navigation bar, aiming to alleviate confusion and frustration reported by users. In the final design, I embraced the principle of 'less is more,' streamlining the navigation bar and presenting essential information on the homepage with a focus on a compact and simplified design. This solution ensures a more intuitive and user-friendly interface, addressing the challenges identified and enhancing overall usability for a diverse user base.
Recognizing the diverse potential user needs, I adopted a user-centric approach by first defining the target audience. Acknowledging that the original website belongs to a local high school, I identified the primary users as prior, current, or prospective students and parents. This foundational understanding guided the creation process, allowing me to tailor the redesign to meet the specific needs and expectations of this key demographic.
I engaged users, specifically students and parents of students at the school, recognizing them as the primary stakeholders. Formulating a hypothesis that the most significant need revolved around presenting information in a format that is easily understandable and navigable, I conducted interviews to validate this assumption. The findings from these interviews confirmed the hypothesis, providing valuable insights that informed the design decisions aimed at meeting the distinct needs of the user base.
In the context of the Desert Vista High School website redesign, user goals can be defined as the specific objectives that students and parents aim to achieve when interacting with the website. These goals are likely centered around obtaining essential information about the school, accessing announcements, navigating the academic calendar, and easily understanding the content presented on the homepage. The primary focus is on creating a user experience that aligns with the users' needs, ensuring that they can efficiently and intuitively accomplish their tasks and find the information they seek on the website.
Navigating what constitutes "important" information can indeed be challenging, and involving users in this determination process aligns with user-centered design principles. By examining the existing navigation and headings on the main page, your identification of the most frequently visited pages—Activities, Athletics, and Announcements—provides valuable insights into user priorities.
The functionality issue you observed regarding non-working links is crucial, as it directly impacts trust in the site and the information presented. Ensuring all links are functional is paramount for maintaining user confidence and enhancing overall usability. This observation highlights the interplay between design and functionality, emphasizing the need for a seamless and trustworthy user experience.
Guided by these considerations, I crafted two low-fidelity wireframes to highlight the announcements and the main page layout, meticulously documenting their respective strengths and weaknesses.
The Desert Vista High School website strategically employs the colors c99700 and 0c2340 to create a harmonious palette. The vibrant gold exudes positivity and school spirit, while the deep navy adds professionalism. This combination not only aligns with the school's brand but also enhances visual hierarchy for effective navigation. The strategic use of these colors adheres to color theory principles, ensuring a cohesive and visually pleasing experience for users.
In presenting the redesign, I prioritized showcasing accessible links and organizing key information in a visually hierarchical format, aiming to enhance usability and overall satisfaction. However, due to the project's nature, the absence of structured feedback from real users at the end leaves uncertainty regarding whether the new design truly achieves increased user-friendliness.
Reflecting on the design process, I've come to appreciate the essential role of user feedback in evaluating the success of a redesign. The absence of a team highlighted the significance of collaboration between designers and developers, bringing diverse ideas and feedback to the table.
Data plays a pivotal role in shaping design decisions, and the source and context of feedback are key factors. Expanding the user pool, as suggested by site analytics, could offer a more accurate depiction of user perspectives and needs.
This redesign provided valuable insights into how and why users, including parents, students, and faculty, interact with the site. It prompted me to ponder the question of which users we design for. Moving forward, I recognize that, while we may design for specific groups, there are others who will interact with the product, even if initially unaccounted for. This realization underscores the need for a more inclusive and adaptable design approach.