ringling collegewebsite redesign

Of all the admission pieces from a college, none is more important than the website. Currently, the quickest way to access and learn about any college or university is through their website. It is the critical first impression that prospective students get of the post-secondary school. All pertinent information must be readily available as well as unexpected surprises that leave a lasting imprint with a perspective student.

Ringling College of Art + Design entrusts its admissions materials to a select few Graphic + Interactive Communications majors every two years. The chosen are selected based on personality, merit and portfolio. For the website redesign, Willie Diaz and I were chosen.

We realized quickly that the site needed a complete structural rehaul. Doing so proved to be an uphill battle as we began to realize that there were many stakeholders invested in the success of this site. We had to satisfy several different departments yet retain the integrity and elegance of the design vision we had already forged. In addition we realized a key element missing from the site was the experience of going to a college or university. Most post-secondary sites were uninspiring and information heavy with no emphasis on

the experience that one could have at the school. We sought out to express this experience in the form of videos. Without any real budget or motion/video team, we took it upon ourselves to shoot and edit these short films. In the end we were able to create a website that not only is an information enriched experience but a resource and guideline for prospective students to reference.

Of all the admission pieces from a college, none is more important than the website ... It is the critical first impression that prospective students get ...

Our design was retained after the customary two year period. The site design continued for four years reaching its conclusion in 2012.