2017-2019 Arts & Sciences Web Redesign Project

The Arts & Sciences ecosystem of websites supports around 1.5 million visitors a year and is an essential communications network for our external audiences and campus community. Regular evaluation and redesign projects ensure that our websites keep pace with evolving requirements, and Arts & Sciences is currently in a redesign cycle to improve both the overall look and functionality of our websites. The current project has three distinct components:

Phase I

The first phase involves the creation of an updated visual design that adheres to university brand guidelines and aligns well with other signature WashU web properties such as wustl.edu and admissions.wustl.edu. Special attention has been given to the need to accommodate the different identities of our many departments and programs while conveying the combined identity of Arts & Sciences.

Phase II

The second phase involves updating and redesigning our large portal or “gateway” websites: the main Arts & Sciences website, the College of Arts & Sciences, The Graduate School, and University College.

Phase III

The third phase involves rolling out the updated theme and functionality to the more than forty departments, centers, and programs in Arts & Sciences. The A&S Web Advisory Committee is closely involved in the planning for this phase.

FAQ

Where are we now?
The project is currently in Phase III; launching new department websites on a regular basis (see list below)

Who is involved?

This project is managed by the A&S Computing Web Team, under the direction of Ken Keller, and A&S Communications, led by Ebba Segerberg. Please send any questions or comments about the project to artsciwebdesign@wustl.edu

How do departments schedule their redesigns?
To sign up your unit for an updated website or to learn more about this phase of the project, please contact Marcia Mannen.

What improvements and changes can we expect?

The adoption of WashU brand standards creates a stronger impact for Arts & Sciences with external audiences by clearly aligning with the University brand. The ampersand – the shorthand for Arts & Sciences—is used throughout not as a logo but as a design element.
The new websites will meet a higher standard of web accessibility requirements.
This redesign is fully mobile responsive.
The new platform offers shared content in several areas: the personnel directory, events, and news. This means that content will be created at the school or department level and can be shared back and forth between sites.
Content managers will be able to control what content is published to unit websites.
Content managers will be able to clone and repeat events. Event content types will include rsvp forms and maps.
Content managers will have more layout options to choose from.

How will I find my way around the new website?
Our navigation and menu has been changed in order to create a better searching and browsing experience. The navigation has been streamlined, and the main menu items have been significantly reduced. The menu has been moved into the upper right-hand corner and remains in that position regardless of where the user is on a given page. In addition, search bars are placed throughout the site in order to quickly search for what you need. There is a quick links area on the home page to direct current audiences to the most frequently visited pages.

What is the greatest improvement?
The redesigned website offers a far better experience to prospective audiences and our undergraduate students. The interactive browsing experience and enhanced visuals invite engagement and showcase our campus, people, student resources, and academic offerings.