Flying Dutchgirl Communications » information design

Homepage design for Cascadia.edu

Cate — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:00:34 +0000

This slidecast shows part of the work I did for Cascadia. For an overview of that project, see Cascadia.edu website redesign.

Targeting multiple audiences on a homepage

Cate — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:00:12 +0000

I’ve been looking at a lot of college websites while I’ve been working on a redesign for Cascadia Community College. Since a community college provides a lower level of education, you might think its website would be simpler. But no-o-o-o.

Community colleges have more audiences than 4-year colleges: not just college students but students who will go on to 4-year colleges and students who won’t; people who want PowerPoint classes and yoga classes; businesses that want employee training; ESL students; people who want a high school diploma; etc. Working on the Cascadia website, we found this beautiful site we all wanted to emulate, for Santa Clara University, but it just wouldn’t have worked for us. The homepage does a great job of blasting messages at one particular audience — see the main area with the message and gorgeous photo (on the live site, both change every few seconds):

Santa Clara University homepage

Live page at:
www.scu.edu

The homepage provides all the categories of information that this audience needs — see the discreet little columns of links below the photo.

But you couldn’t use a layout like this to communicate with college students at the same time you were trying to reach business owners and people who want to learn ballroom dancing.

For an example of a homepage that targets multiple audiences, see Homepage design for Cascadia.edu.

User interface writing and guidelines for intranet applications

Cate — Tue, 30 Dec 2003 18:00:41 +0000

Client/employer: Intuit

Challenges: Reduce internal support and operations costs, increase employees’ use of benefits programs, and improve productivity and internal communication.

Dutchgirl’s solutions

I wrote user interface copy and designed interaction for a variety of intranet applications, including:

An internal news and information site — with interfaces for both readers and authors of articles, and guidelines for authors
A stock purchase plan signup tool for employees; see Employee Signup for Stock Purchase Plan
A “pay decision tool” for managers

I wrote navigation and other labels, onscreen instructions, error messages, help, and automatically generated emails.

For more details

… or to discuss your project, contact us.

Content strategy for design portfolio

Cate — Tue, 01 Feb 2000 17:00:04 +0000

Client: Aaron Marcus and Associates, user interface design; www.amanda.com

Challenges: Develop a model for a portfolio of work by a user interface design firm.

Dutchgirl’s solutions

I provided architecture and content for one portfolio entry that served as a model implemented by AM+A. The model included a summary and basic details about each project and accommodated animated screenshots of key functionality.

For more details

… or to discuss your project, contact us.

Website redesign for online application developer

Cate — Wed, 07 May 1997 17:00:31 +0000

Client: Just in Time Solutions, intranet and website application developer, San Francisco; www.justintime.com

Challenges: Communicate advantages of using client’s services to audiences including business managers unfamiliar with Internet technology.

Dutchgirl’s solutions

I provided information architecture and copywriting for a new site that showcased Just in Time’s experience and capabilities to prospective clients. The new site offered case studies of the business-focused solutions that Just in Time Solutions built for clients such as LSI Logic, Kensington, and Robert Half International. It also detailed Just in Time’s capabilities in intranet development and management, website and intranet security, and Internet billing.

For more details

… or to discuss your project, contact us.