College Admissions | The University of Chicago
Web + Graphic Design | Site Development
WHAT I DID
Graphic design, Web application design, Coding (XHTML, CSS, Javascript), Art direction, Content management implementation, Information architecture, Blog implementation
SITE DETAILS
Designing an admissions website for an elite university is, to say, the least, fraught: how to “appeal to the kids” without forgetting that these kids are very intelligent, savvy, and suspicious of being pandered to? Happily, the University of Chicago’s College Admissions department was an ideal client for working through these challenges. With its legendarily quirky essay questions (example: “How do you feel about Wednesday?”) and fun, humane approach to the life of the mind, the Admissions department was looking for a smart and engaging new site to match its singular approach to the admissions process.
My design aims to be fresh, vibrant, and friendly. Bright splashes of color and vivid photography draw the user into the site’s rich and engaging content. The order of a grid-based layout is given energy via subtle asymmetry and dynamic layout compositions. jQuery is used for Javascript interface enhancement throughout the site, adding richness and encouraging exploration.
Not pictured in the screenshots, but a major portion of this project, was an ambitious web application: a private logged-in section where applicants can apply for financial aid, contact their counselors, view their admissions decisions, and complete various other tasks. In addition to all the graphic design and front-end coding for this site, I project managed, wireframed, and prototyped this complex application.