Making Higher Ed Websites Accessible, Streamlined, and Built to Last
Overview
Role: UX/UI Designer
Duration: 3 years
Team: Worked alongside web developers, CSUN clients, and content strategists
Tools: Figma, WordPress, Drupal, Adobe Suite
140+ website migration ($1.4 million budget)
Project Run Down
I redesigned and migrated several department websites for CSUN to improve accessibility, navigation, and visual clarity. While the main task was content migration, I focused on streamlining the user experience, cleaning up outdated structures, and aligning each site with the university’s branding and accessibility standards.
Process
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Audited the original site to identify content gaps and usability issues
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Created a proposed sitemap focused on streamlined navigation
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Met with clients to review and revise the sitemap based on their goals
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Designed high-fidelity wireframes using Figma for both desktop and mobile
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Presented wireframes for client feedback and made refinements
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Built the site using WordPress or Drupal, aligning with CSUN branding
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Migrated and cleaned content, ensuring clarity and accessibility
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Conducted pre-launch QA for usability, accessibility, and performance
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Launched the final site, optimized for students, faculty, and prospective users
Problem
Many of CSUN’s department websites were difficult to use and visually outdated, creating barriers for key users.
Core Issues:
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Outdated design with no breadcrumbs or clear navigation
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Excessive, redundant pages that made simple tasks frustrating
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Lack of accessibility compliance (WCAG standards not met)
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Poor visual consistency, often featuring low-quality images and misaligned branding
Who It Affected:
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Students struggled to access basic academic and campus resources
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Faculty & staff had trouble updating and navigating their own sites
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Prospective students found the experience confusing and unwelcoming
Goals & Hypothesis
Hypothesis:
If we simplify the site structure, migrate only the most relevant content, and ensure accessibility and visual clarity, users will be able to navigate the website more effectively and departments will maintain a stronger connection to their target audiences.
UX Priorities:
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Align with CSUN branding and accessibility standards (ADA compliance).
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Create logical, user-centered site maps.
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Use imagery and calls-to-action to guide users clearly.
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Reduce cognitive load by minimizing unnecessary pages.
Audit & Sitemap Creation
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Conducted a deep audit of the existing CSUN website’s structure.
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Noted duplicated, buried, or outdated pages.
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Drafted a proposed sitemap with clear, minimal paths to common goals.
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Met with clients (department stakeholders) to review and refine the sitemap.
Outcome: In many cases, clients were surprised by pages we uncovered. This allowed them to reassess what was important, leading to smarter, leaner content.
High-Fidelity Wireframing
This client’s website required a large-scale redesign with dozens of interconnected pages to support different audiences, content types, and accessibility needs. Due to the volume and complexity, only select pages are shown here. To explore the full wireframe system, please view the Figma file below.
Design to Development
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Built the site in WordPress or Drupal depending on department needs.
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Migrated cleaned and prioritized content from the original site.
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Ensured mobile responsiveness, image optimization, and WCAG accessibility compliance.
Final QA + Launch
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Conducted pre-launch audits for:
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Link checking
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Image alt tags
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Color contrast
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Page structure hierarchy (H1–H3 tags)
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Addressed any last-minute client requests.
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Launched the live site once fully approved.
Solution Highlights
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Streamlined navigation using clear page hierarchy
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Improved accessibility with proper HTML structure, keyboard support, and contrast
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Reduced page count by surfacing key content and eliminating clutter
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Built responsive layouts that reflect the CSUN brand but enhance usability
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Incorporated thoughtful CTAs and quality imagery to elevate user trust and engagement
What I Learned
This project pushed me to grow in patience, communication, and project management. It was one of the most challenging websites I worked on—not just because of its size, but because I was also managing 5+ other sites at the same time. Despite the roadblocks, strong collaboration and teamwork helped us deliver a complete, accessible, and user-focused site. It reinforced the importance of clear communication, staying organized, and being adaptable when working on large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects.
Next Steps & Improvements
Going forward, I want to continue refining the site’s flow and structure by collecting direct user feedback. While the foundation is now in place, there's always room to improve how real users interact with the content. Usability insights will help guide ongoing updates to make the experience even more intuitive and impactful.