The Site Specification
By Jamaal Totten
 As the facilitator for this project I worked closely with Stakeholders, Inhouse Senior Web Programmer, and a Software Development Firm
regarding the Backend High-level Functions. Our objective was to maintain
emphasis on designing a Real World large scale CMS Application with
advanced High-level Functionality covering the following areas:
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Custom Application and Integration
Data Base Integration Management
Data Aggregation
Data Manipulation and Migration
Organization Schemes, Layout Structure, Content Labeling Classification
Schemes
Search Engine Optimization
Design logic including Simplicity and Consistency, Design Integrity and
Stability, Color Theory
Automated Functionality
Data Centralization
 As the Architect for this project I used a Top
Down Information Architecture approach for
designing this large scale web site application.
 First let’s start with the global navigation. Please
look at the taxonomy and you’ll notice that I
used a Topic Based Organization Scheme to
organize our site global content. By keeping the
Organization Scheme consistent, I am able to
alleviate usability issues and task flow
incompletion.
 For the utility links area we integrated social
media and networking applications to enhance
our online marketing. By integrating these
applications we are able to support our users’
short term memory. Now users don’t have to
leave our site while they multitask.
 Observing the user - They seamlessly navigate
between 4 to 6 different browser screens at the
same time, they are true multi-taskers.
 The search interface - the top right corner
complies with current industry best practices.
HPU logo is in the top left corner.
 Conventional layout scheme - minimize travel
time for the users when moving from point A to
point B which maintains an easy work flow for
the users.
 Company’s branding,
 Use of beautiful banner adds to promote
special news and events.
 Implementation of smooth slow transition
effect to the rotating banner adds to solve
a potential usability issue.
 Placing mouse cursor over the social media
icons, triggers the hover card menu,
 Users are now able to complete more
tasks without leaving the site.
 Optimum use of user vision.
Utility of story section.
 Each story section has a related story history list
which serves as a memory aid. Our goal was to
minimize the users’ memory load by supporting
memory recognition to help users find previous
articles as easily as possible.
 Social Share Story Widget supports the users’
short term memory, which allows the user to
share information with friends with minimal
cognitive effort.
 Asynchronous communication encourages
social interaction with greater collaborative
efforts from our users.
 Section for undergraduate registration
 HPU’s rankings just above the Apply Online
Button to illustrate how HPU is wellrespected.
 Ultimate objective is to get as many students
to register as possible.
 We tend to make almost every decision
based on perception - our ability to see and
interpret information.
 Under the Campus News Section
 Chronological Based Organizational Scheme a clickable scroller that users can quickly
navigate through the latest articles.
 Footers were used for Topic Based
Organization scheme to maintain consistency.
 Local Navigation
 Audience Based Organization Scheme to
support the users’ task flow.
 Admissions Department services multiple
audiences.
 Goal is not to overwhelm our audience with
so much information in the top Global
Navigation - information overload.
 Users spend 54% of their time in local navigation,
24% of their time is spent within the top global
site navigation.
 Placing imperative information in certain areas of
the site is most effective.
 As a Usability Engineer Specialist and Designer, I
put a lot of thought into every element that is
used within the user interface to make
intelligent design decisions that support the
target users’ task flow.
 My job is to help you understand how users
cognitively utilize, perform and complete tasks
within applications.
 How do I do this?
 Developing specific strategies based on the
perceived users’ cognitive processes.
 Execute tactics using UX Strategy Methods
such as, User Testing, A-B Testing, User
Research, Surveys, Interviews, User
Profiles, Focus Groups, and Heuristic
Evaluation.
 For Market Research
 Utilize High Point University Marketing
Department and Admissions Counselors to
recruit participants for research.
 Gather research to build user profiles
which include users’ characteristics to gain
better insight in understanding the users’
mindset.
Audience: Primary User (High School Student)
Name: Nick Ogle
Age: 17
Goals: Nick wants to find a university that matches his needs, then
apply and be accepted. He also wants to feel connected to the
university.
Needs: Nick has to find the appropriate Admissions Counselors.
Behaviors: Nick is involved in many clubs at his high school. He has
brothers and sisters and likes playing video games with them. He
enjoys traveling and is fun to be around.
Attitudes: Nick likes being able to express himself. He likes it when
brands answer his questions before he asks them. He’s connected
everywhere he goes with his smart phone and tablet. He has a
constant drive to stay popular.
Audience: Secondary User (Current Student at HPU)
Name: Alyssa Hunt
Age: 19
Goals: Alyssa wants to be an active member of the HPU
community, get a good degree and land a great job.
Needs: Stay informed with campus news and events.
Behaviors: Alyssa is involved in her sorority and loves to go
shopping with friends. She likes it when people make her feel
important and recognize her accomplishments. Alyssa loves
listening to music and spends evenings watching Jersey Shore.
Attitudes: Alyssa is very confident. She likes to be up-to-speed on
what’s happening at all times and she wants to be associated with
brands that are like her – clean cut, stylish and ahead of the game.
 New site Evaluation
 First step - conduct a Heuristic Evaluation,
which will identify any problems associated
with the design.
 Evaluate the design based upon Jacob
Nielsen’s Ten General Principles for user
interface design.
 Conduct some user testing to gather
feedback and get more insight.
 Provide recommendations and alterative
solutions – using Holistic UX design
approach, which means I think or rethink
through the entire problem and solve it as
a whole.
Questions and concerns?
Thank you