The Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG) is the largest medical university in northern Poland. The school was founded on October 8th, 1945. Today MUG educates nearly 6000 undergraduate and postgraduate polish and foreign students. We started cooperation with the Medical University of Gdańsk in May 2016. Our main goal was to redesign a school website to more modern and intuitive. This task was challenging because of complicated information structure split over a few smaller (child) services.
Patryk Budziński
[email protected]
+48 723 395 567
At the early stage of the project, We conducted a complex expert audit to better understand the complicated structure of the website. We also analyzed web analytics to know the most common user paths. Then we discussed our research results with the client, including university authorities. Together we set up goals for the new website.
The biggest challenge was to understand and rearrange a complicated information structure of the website (actually several separate websites). MUG has the main page and many smaller websites. Every website has individual sections and different information structures. Our main goal was to create a new, consistent information architecture and navigation, that could be universal for all web services.
With websites used by thousands of knowledgable visitors - there is no better way to optimize experience than to create surveys.
Such surveys helped us to keep on track with users' expectations and suggestions. We wanted to be sure that our concept is user-friendly and covers 100% of users' expectations - making it a great example of the user-centered design approach.
Thanks to the complex research and analysis stage, we knew how users feel about the old website, their expectations about the new one and what new functionalities they need.
With all the collected data and goals from the previous research stage, we started a design stage. We started with the rearrangement of information architecture. We separated information into six main audience groups. That solution makes searching for information much easier. After we designed the main structure of the website we started creating a mockup to show our concept. With the new version of the website, we removed the long side menu. it has been replaced by the main menu with targeting to main user groups. All important elements are now placed at the top of the website, also easy to find on mobile devices.
New graphic design refers to university tradition. It also highlights the modern character of the school. We created Aesthetic and minimalist design both on desktops and mobile devices thanks to responsive web design. Based on mockups we prepared a few visual concepts with different color lines. Client had chance to chose the one which suited perfectly for Medical University of Gdańsk.
In February 2017 we launch a new version of the university website.
New information architecture and navigation provides easy access to information. All main elements were adjusted to the users' preferences.
The minimalistic and elegant design was appreciated by students and the university's employees.