ESU launches Web site redesign

New Web site redesign

Emporia State University recently unveiled its redesigned web site. Spearheaded by ESU Webmaster Jeremy Luby, the web site has been designed to accommodate access to information based both on content and audience.

“The focus of the overall redesign process was to reorganize the departmental web sites and information currently existing on the university wide web site and to redesign the home page and top-level pages to create a more uniform, effective, and consistent site,” Luby said. “It is designed to make it easier for visitors to find their way around, to showcase the distinctions of the University through a constantly changing slide show, and, most importantly, to convey to the public the intensity and excitement of the ESU campus community. This design allows us to do justice to the diverse and interesting events and stories that happen at ESU every day.”

This is the third time since ESU originally launched their web site in 1996, that any major revamping has taken place.

ESU Webmaster Jeremy Luby discusses the new changes to the ESU web site.

“The graphics have been totally redesigned and there is a new layout of the navigational tools,” Luby said.

According to Luby, the following issues were taken into account throughout the overall redesign process:

• Accessibility (page load time, browser access, ADA Compliance, text based version);
• Design Guidelines (common and Mac equivalent fonts, non-frames or text equivalent page for frames);
• Focus on navigational design and ease of locating information.

The site features links which lead prospective students, current students, employees, alumni and parents to information that best applies to them. Visitors can also download ESU wallpaper, virtual postcards, screen savers, power point templates, and cell phone ring tones. The site also features a weekly on-line jigsaw puzzle, and an ESU coloring book.

“Now with navigation and search functions, one will be able to find things quickly,” Luby said. He also mentioned “breadcrumb” navigation, which allows the user to see where they have been and can go back and access quickly previous pages.

Students, faculty and staff have provided positive feedback about the redesign.

“The ESU web site not only looks better, but it has more information and is more user friendly,” said Quynh-Anh Nguyen, a recent ESU graduate.

“The new site looks nice. It seems to be more functional and modern as well,” said Jim Deane, ESU graduate student. “I think the new page is a significant improvement in serving current and prospective students, visitors, and the various other classes of visitors. It reflects very well on the University as a whole.”

Last Updated July 2, 2007>