Victoria University - Website design
Victoria University - Website design
Project brief
Hiser was responsible for delivering a new Victoria University (VU), working within an Agile methodology. We used an information architecture that highlights the importance of external user groups, with a sleek and on-brand visual design. Our work included mentoring the VU team in such areas as web strategy, content management and interaction design.
What we did
We began with research activities across three key streams of activity:
- Business stream – gathering analysis and feedback from key VU staff.
- Content stream – focus groups and analysis with content authors and publishers to identify strengths and weaknesses of the current process and related needs for the new website.
- Interaction stream – usability testing of the current website to identify its strengths and weaknesses.
Our “Findings and Vision report” highlighted the findings from this Discovery Phase and made strategic recommendations for the following activities. Once confirmed by the University, we implemented this strategy through:
- Selection and implementation of a new content management system.
- Development of the interaction design for the new website (refined through collaborative design sessions with representative users).
- Re-design and implementation of a new information architecture.
- Creation and implementation of a new visual design for the website.
- Development of key quality content, based on our standards and guidelines for effective online presentation.
We delivered a Website Strategy report for the next 2 years – identifying operational requirements and further project work for consideration, with a roadmap of activity and strategic recommendations for VU going forward.
Results
The website was successfully launched at the end of February 2009.
Their project leads provided the following testimonials:
“Hiser was professional, skilled and responsive. The staff had exactly the right skill set and were strongly committed
to getting the right outcome for Victoria University as the client. They worked above and beyond their obligations and
were highly responsive to our needs. “Hiser met all deadlines associated with the project and I would recommend their services.”
to getting the right outcome for Victoria University as the client. They worked above and beyond their obligations and
were highly responsive to our needs. “Hiser met all deadlines associated with the project and I would recommend their services.”
Ros Casey, Deputy Chair
Project Steering Committee
Victoria University
Project Steering Committee
Victoria University
“Hiser's knowledge, commitment and enthusiasm meant this very challenging project was able to be delivered on time, within budget."
"They were able to come in on a very general brief and give shape to a complex project. Hiser's expertise in web usability,
their surety, and their ability to work well with the in-house team meant the project was able to be tackled with confidence."
their surety, and their ability to work well with the in-house team meant the project was able to be tackled with confidence."
"Hiser through the project lead was able to help the in-house team with resource and other requests when dealing with the
project sponsor and other stakeholders. One of the project goals was also to develop the skills of the in-house web
development team and Hiser leave us with a confident team who now have ownership of the web IA, content quality
and technology."
project sponsor and other stakeholders. One of the project goals was also to develop the skills of the in-house web
development team and Hiser leave us with a confident team who now have ownership of the web IA, content quality
and technology."
“Hiser also provided an excellent technology partner to assist with the technical implementation.”
Antony Marsh
Web Futures Group
Project Director
Victoria University
Web Futures Group
Project Director
Victoria University
We are now mentoring the University’s Web Futures team, providing guidance and a usability perspective for projects to progress the website’s effectiveness – e.g. reviewing their outputs from strategic, user interface design and user-facing activities.
