A start-to-finish website design & development.
Key Technologies
This project utilized HTML, CSS, and JS (with a focus on a library called GSAP for animations).
Background
Syracuse University was preparing to close an almost 13 year-long campaign, and they were sending out a booklet to donors. That booklet was planned to be sent out near the end of March, and referenced a web experience. We found out about this complimentary web experience with a month until the booklet was in the publics' hands.
Mission
For this project, we were making a responsive, modern website that could seamlessly guide users through the 13+ year journey of our campaign. We had to condense images, moments, and everything in between to a couple of page website.
Deliverables
The key deliverable for this project was the website itself. I personally contributed all of the interior pages (Forever Changed, Inspirped, Engaged, Supported, Excelling, Distinctive, and Forward). I also was in charge of a number of universal design elements, such as the header and footer.
Results
Our web experience has been well received both internally and externally, earning positive feedback from campus stakeholders and visitors alike. Website traffic remains steady, and the site continues to be live and fully functional, serving as a valuable digital resource for the Syracuse University community and beyond.
Key Takeaways:
- This project was completed on a tight timeline, which meant we did not have the opportunity to create detailed mock-ups in Figma. This presented a challenge, as we were effectively “building the plane as we flew it.” The experience underscored the importance of having a clear plan of action when developing a website—especially under time constraints.
- Working within these constraints taught me how to prioritize essential functionality over “nice-to-have” features. There were many creative elements I hoped to incorporate, but the timeline required a focus on what was necessary for launch versus what could be enhanced in future iterations.
- One of the most valuable lessons was the importance of collaboration and open communication. Maintaining a strong connection with the other developer allowed us to efficiently discuss design decisions, share progress, and ensure we remained aligned on deliverables and expectations.
- Finally, the project reinforced the idea that more eyes lead to better design. Informal feedback from colleagues functioned like real-time user testing—highlighting aspects of the experience that were intuitive and others that needed refinement. What may seem clear to a designer can easily confuse an end user, so testing and collaborative input always lead to a stronger final product.
