Champlain College
Champlain College needed a modern web presence that represented their core institutional values: innovation, forward-thinking, and a student-first approach to education. Their previous website was outdated, difficult to manage, and lacked focus, with meandering content, confusing navigation, and a disjointed visual language.
In 2019, I began consulting with the Marketing department and the Web team to identify and implement quick wins for improving the design of their existing website. By 2022, the College issued an RFP to several agencies and ultimately hired me and my team to lead a comprehensive two-year project to redesign and develop a best-in-class higher education website. This complex initiative involved managing numerous stakeholders and coordinating with various teams.
Navigation Model
We developed and tested a comprehensive set of wireframes to illustrate the proposed user experience. This included a navigation model with a unified entry point for both ‘On-Campus’ and ‘Online’ students, providing access to resources under one cohesive system. Additionally, we introduced a ‘For You’ menu to present a curated set of links tailored to each primary audience member’s needs.
A streamlined information architecture resulted in a nav model that creates a cleaner and clearer browsing experience. Our mobile-first approach allows for quick and easy access up and down the architecture.
A Quiet Confidence
We began with a high-level strategy, focusing on what needed to be done, why it was necessary, and who the primary audience was. The implementation phase started with a content audit and information architecture, followed by the creation of high-level wireframes.
One of our primary objectives was to present Champlain’s product offerings in a manner that is clear and accessible—putting prospective students and their families before marketing. Recognizing the overwhelming impact of excessive choices, bulky text, and confusing navigation, we streamlined the content to reduce complexity and anxiety. We moved away from noisy, attention-grabbing calls-to-action, instead focusing on creating genuine and purposeful interactions. Understanding that trying to say everything to everyone often results in saying nothing at all, we refined our communication to be more focused and impactful. This approach created a more relaxed and comfortable experience, embodying a quiet confidence.
To highlight next steps and avoid dead ends, clear calls-to-action were strategically placed throughout the College's website.
Headline-driven content creates a more scannable experience.
To ensure consistency and ease of management, we identified and structured various content types for both the front end and backend. This approach led to a more consistent and user-friendly experience for our audience. Additionally, we established a consistent visual language, including type, color, and layout, for both online and offline materials.
I managed a project roadmap that outlined roles, responsibilities, and timelines, which helped build consensus and manage expectations among all stakeholders and team members. Working closely with the Champlain College team, we defined the functional specifications for all content types and tailored a WordPress content management system to meet their specific needs.
Simple and filterable listing of Champlain College offices allows for quick access to their location, contact information, and website.
Easily browse Champlain College's people with quick access to their contact information and profile in a modal overlay.
Design-focused Content Management System
I laid the foundation of the frontend and oversaw the backend development in collaboration with my development partner, Jake Camara, and Champlain College’s internal Information Services team. This project resulted in a more streamlined, user-friendly, and visually consistent website, enhancing the experience for both prospective and current students.
The results of this comprehensive project have provided Champlain College with a modern, scalable, and cohesive web presence that effectively represents their values and meets the needs of their diverse student body.
