About
In December 2011, our team set out to update Florida International University’s website (homepage and top-tier pages) from its 2009 redesign. This new design helped address the change in our users browsing behavior and put FIU at the forefront of best practices in web design for higher ed.
Some of the factors that inspired us to redesign were:
- Between 2009 and 2011, our metrics showed a growing increase of users accessing the website via mobile devices.
- Between 2009 and 2011, our metrics showed a growing increase of users accessing the website via mobile devices.
- The trend in following modular grid designs, similar to print magazine layouts. This includes text, images and video being organized into one, two and three columns.
- Minimal - but important - outdated content, like statistics and college/school donor names.
- The need to provide an engaging experience for future students that are not familiar with Florida International University and the city of Miami in general.
With our homework behind us and our mission mapped out, the team kicked into high gear. I led the team in doing extensive usability testing, forming a new HTML/CSS framework, and building HTML5 templates in our content management system.
Highlights:
- Built on Zurb Foundation 3
- Completely responsive design
- Life at FIU section has a special treatment geared toward future students
- Life at FIU section has a special treatment geared toward future students
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Original concept for Life at FIU page. A parallax experience for prospective students.
Research and Personas
Design
