New uWaterloo Homepage Site Information Sessions July 11 & 17, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

New uWaterloo Homepage Site Information Sessions July 11 & 17, 2012 Digital Initiatives, Communications and Public Affairs

Introductions Digital initiatives team • Eva Grabinski, Director, Digital Initiatives • Chris Carignan, Manager, Information Architecture & User Experience • Jonathan Woodcock, Manager, Digital Communications & Content Strategy • Andrea Sweet, Manager, Web Design • Aaron Miller, Manager, Social Media & Community Engagement

Acknowledgements • Communications & Public Affairs (CPA) colleagues • Communications Council members • Web Content Management System (WCMS) team

Why a new uWaterloo homepage • Leverage the web as a primary communications vehicle • Support the university’s strategic objectives via the web • Meet web accessibility standards & requirements • Move to a site that works effectively on mobile devices • Account for feedback on usability & content / context • Ensure resources to support a robust & changing site (evidence-based decision making; not print)

Web design implementation process Web content strategy Wireframe • Based on web content strategy Web design • Based on wireframe • Supporting web content strategy

Web content strategy Vision Objectives Audiences

Vision – web content strategy Convey what uWaterloo is about (context / content) The University of Waterloo homepage should reflect the essence of Waterloo’s brand: it should be dynamic, modern, unconventional, and showcase how Waterloo’s innovative spirit, through our connectedness, builds a better future for Canada and the world. Account for user experience (UX) The homepage should be a model of “working well”, a top -of-class example of a university website with clear navigation, useful search, compliant accessibility, and ease of use for our audiences, who should expect the best in web / digital presence from uWaterloo that includes design / adaptation for efficient mobile use.

Objectives – web content strategy To reflect the university’s aspirations to achieve a level of excellence in research and teaching 1. comparable to and compatible with the top 100 universities in the world 2. To support the goals outlined in the Sixth Decade Plan and including: enhancing the quality of the student experience ; international engagement ; global leadership in undergraduate co- operative education ; research impact ; demonstrated leadership in selected areas of teaching and research ; enhancing communications with stakeholders 3. To create a clearer understanding of what Waterloo is and does , and to position Waterloo as distinctive because of a culture of innovation , creativity and risk taking (a dynamic environment); a commitment to connection and collaboration with private and public sector; a commitment to societal relevance 4. To attract and retain the best and brightest faculty, staff and students To support the university’s achievement of its fundraising goals by enhancing relationships and 5. connection with key stakeholder groups 6. To foster an internal culture of connection and shared identity

Audiences – web content strategy • Future Students • Students • Alumni • Faculty • Staff • Employers • Governments and private sector • Donors and prospective donors • Parents • Media

Wireframe Key : A lot of time is spent at this phase to ensure that the new homepage design aligns with the content strategy

New uWaterloo homepage design

Global header

About Waterloo website New About Waterloo site to align with new homepage design: uwaterloo.ca/about

Directories pages New links: • uwaterloo.ca/offices-services • uwaterloo.ca/faculties-academics

Feature stories • 3 feature stories • Social media & search engine optimization (SEO) • Web content strategy & editorial calendar

Facts & figures • Highlights facts & figures • Aligns with content strategy • Counters count up to final #s

Homepage headline • Highlights innovation at Waterloo • Conveys impact & relevance • Can change w/ editorial calendar

Positioning stories Areas • Innovations • Connections • Impact • Global view

Stories website • Houses positioning stories (or teasers) • Phased approach to design • Users can sort stories by: – Positioning areas – Research themes – Subjects – Faculties/campus • Categories for sorting tied to content strategy

Audience panels

Audience pathway pages

News Promotes timely news • At uwaterloo.ca/news • On faculty sites • In the Daily Bulletin • In the media • On Twitter

Events Highlights uWaterloo events • At uwaterloo.ca/events • On sites university wide

Calls-to-action

Global footer

Social media directory

Waterloo web space look

Questions ? ?