Edinburgh College of Art website

Edinburgh College of Art were looking to overhaul their website, looking to raise the bar in user experience within their competitive landscape. Tasked with reflecting the institution's prestige, international standing, and creative ethos, we delivered an exhaustive discovery phase. Through workshops and focus groups involving prospective and current students, academics, and staff, we gained valuable insights into their needs and expectations.

These sessions allowed us to re-evaluate the site structure and create a site architecture that would better present the content and allow for a seamless user journey through content and serve up additional content to encourage onward journeys and increase engagement.

Our focus on structure was around making content easily accessible, adopting a top level navigation to access core sections of the website for various user types, supported with a fuller expansive navigation to access all of the site content.
Our design strategy centred on bold typography and striking imagery, harmonising colourful visuals with a monochromatic palette. Emphasising creative works and campus life, we utilised expansive layouts to maximise visual impact across all screen sizes. Interactive elements, including a programme exploration tool and campus maps, enriching the user experience, fostering engagement and exploration.

Accessibility was a paramount consideration throughout the design process. For instance, our programme exploration tool featured a fluid filter system with horizontal scrolling on mobile, allowing users to customise their search experience based on their interests. To address potential accessibility challenges, we developed alternative interfaces, such as a drop-down menu in place of horizontal scrolling for users with visual or cognitive impairments, ensuring an inclusive experience for all visitors.

Following the front end development of all components and layouts we worked closely with the University of Edinburgh’s digital innovation team, who were responsible for the final build implementation and back end set up.

The end result was a contemporary website that not only showcases Edinburgh College of Art's creative excellence but also delivers a positive and enjoyable user journey for prospective applicants. By prioritising accessibility, intuitive navigation, and captivating visuals, we've helped to position ECA as a leader in digital engagement within their competitor landscape.