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Gateway Redesign 2011-2012

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About the Project

The University Gateway website—the front door to the University of Michigan for millions of visitors from around the world every year—underwent its last major architectural overhaul in 2002. Subsequently, in 2006, 2009, and 2011, its user interface was revisited and design changes were made to style and functionality, though the basic structure remained essentially the same.

Currently, the Gateway receives an astounding 25.5 million visits from more than 5.8 million visitors per year (March 2010-March 2011), making it one of the most important, low-cost ways the University reaches its diverse constituents. The number of visitors continues to increase, and it is imperative that we ensure information is both timely and accessible—particularly given the complexity of our institution.

Recent technological developments require different approaches to communicating with large and varied audiences. For instance, the burgeoning use of mobile and handheld devices and the rapid expansion of social media require new ways of thinking about information delivery. In order to remain viable, the Gateway needs to be portable and responsive, restructured in a way that gives users the freedom to receive the information most important to them. At the same time, the Gateway needs to be a communications cornerstone, capable of delivering emergency information and keeping all information available and accessible.

The main objectives of the comprehensive 2011–2012 redesign are to strategically advance the Gateway’s structure, function, and appearance, and to incorporate new technologies and features that will be adaptable and updatable.

Project Vision

• Provide a flexible web ecosystem that can adapt to U-M Gateway users’ changing needs
• Give users the features they want through a user-centered design process
• Combine best practices with the most current and desirable website features
• Put users in the driver’s seat through an interactive and engaging user experience
• Enhance content findability through modern search, mapping, and classification
• Provide a satisfying experience from anywhere, on any device, in the context users require
• Strengthen the Gateway’s already high levels of standards support, usability, accessibility, performance, stability, and security

Status Updates

Please look here for updates as the process moves forward.

The redesign effort is currently in the first phase: discovery. Michigan Marketing & Design is working with Lipman Hearne, a firm that specializes in serving non-profits, including institutions of higher education. They’re helping to ensure that all of our efforts result in an exceptional Gateway website for the University of Michigan.

The following graphic is derived from a version provided by Lipman Hearne. It illustrates the flow of activity during the discovery phase of the redesign process. Currently, we’re focused on the beige bubble, “Update wireframes and maps based on usability test findings.”

Usability testing of recommended wireframes is complete. Test results are being analyzed by Lipman Hearne. They will provide a summary report of wireframe test findings, and finalize their strategy and information architecture recommendations for the U-M gateway website. A final strategy document will be delivered, which incorporates the findings from all preceding discovery efforts, from project kick-off through wireframe usability testing.

Feedback

Please send us comments, concerns, or suggestions regarding the U-M Gateway 2011–2012 Redesign. Your feedback is important to us.

Gateway Redesign Project Staffing