University Graphic Systems
Website Redesign + Case Study
As the General Manager of University Graphic Systems, I recognized that our existing website was outdated, lacked key information, and no longer reflected the scope or professionalism of our services. To address this, I led a 7-week UX case study with our interns to give them hands-on experience with the full UX workflow, from research and personas to wireframing and prototyping. I guided them through each phase to help them understand the process, while I ultimately handled the final information architecture, visual design, and site build to ensure a cohesive and lasting redesign.
Problem StatementThe original UGS website was missing essential information, had an unclear user flow, and failed to meet the needs of its primary users: students, faculty, and clients. We needed a redesign that was more user-friendly, informative, and simple to maintain without requiring advanced technical knowledge.
case study planBefore starting the redesign, I developed a week-by-week case study plan that outlined our UX goals and deliverables. This not only helped teach my interns the structure of a real-world UX project, but also gave me experience managing a timeline and leading a collaborative workflow.
user researchUsing what I already knew about UGS’s audience, I introduced the interns to our core user types. They then conducted field observations in the office to better understand how customers interact with our team and services. These observations became the foundation for the user personas they developed.
Low-fidelity PrototypingTo teach the value of fast iteration, I ran a Crazy 8’s session with the interns, where each of us sketched eight layout ideas in eight minutes. I participated as well, and my wireframes reflected the structure I envisioned for the new UGS site based on user needs and project goals.
Mid-fidelity figma PrototypeAfter reviewing the best wireframes from our Crazy 8’s session, I used Figma to build a mid-fidelity prototype focused on layout and user flow. Working through this stage helped identify small usability issues and areas for improvement in the structure. UGS follows a style guide provided by Cal Poly Partners, which includes specific colors and fonts for headings and body text. Having these guidelines in place allowed me to keep the focus on usability and accessibility while still designing with aesthetics in mind and staying consistent with our brand.
Final Working website: squarespaceFor the final phase of the redesign, I transitioned the UGS website to Squarespace. While I have a background in web development, I decided to move away from our previous setup, which was hosted on AWS and required files to be accessed, downloaded, edited locally, and then re-uploaded using Cyberduck, a cloud storage and server browser. This process was tedious and not practical for future student managers who may not have coding experience.
I transferred the redesigned layout and content from my Figma prototype into Squarespace, making small improvements along the way to enhance usability and clarity. The new structure is more intuitive, responsive, and aligned with the needs of our users. Now, future General Managers can easily update and maintain the site without relying on external tools or technical workflows.
Old UGS Website
Redesigned UGS Website