Site Re-Build Update

After going through the open feedback from the university community, the Website redesign committee reviewed the final designs. We followed that meeting with a focus group of 10 students from Cary Academy. The feedback from all parties was consistent and clear: we needed to combine the “Action” and “Your Story” concepts, letting the individual stories communicate the key accomplishments and messages of the university in a real but more visually dynamic and cohesive design.

We plan to review a revised design on Feb. 14 and have a final, approved design in early March.

The final home page we’ll be shared via this blog by mid-March. We’ll then complete the already-started, but not-yet finished level page designs and templates.

The site will beta launch in late April. This soft launch will include a programmed version of the home page, as well as a couple top-level audience or topical pages (for instance, current students and research page) to give a sense of depth (and excitement) of the new site’s content and functionality.

Content Management System

The Hannon Hill Cascade Server content management system installation is complete. Initial training for the CMS was done in early December. Our long-term goal is to have people at the Help Desk trained in order to support users once the system is in place.

Content Creation and Site Maps

After meeting with nearly 30 units campus-wide (sometimes more than once) the initial site map, wireframes and a content outline for the ~ 100 top-level pages was approved. Copywriting and the acquisition of image assets and video are in process.

All content for the site will be completed by April 30 and begin to be loaded into the programmed templates.

Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments area.