The University’s new website design went live Sunday night, utilizing a modern storytelling structure and themed navigation that focuses on highlighting the atmosphere of UNC-Chapel Hill.
“It really shows off some the really unique things that happen at Carolina but also the breadth of stories and events and people and opportunities,” said Natalie Vizuete, director of content development at University Communications. “It allows us to show off the opportunities at Carolina.”
The project began in early 2016. Working with partner Digital Pulp, website designers focused on mobile friendliness, prominent social media and larger photographs and video.
“Ultimately, we wanted the website to give a sense of place,” said Amy Kaufmann, project manager of the site's redesign. “We wanted to speak to all audiences. We wanted to take advantage of the updated technology that our old website did not possess.”
Before going live, the project underwent user accessibility testing and implemented the feedback of students, prospective students, faculty, administration and the UNC Student Government to make it more effective.
“I think that it's more effective because, first of all, it takes advantage of the newest technology, and also, I think we're familiar with the idea that when we go to the Internet, we often just do a Google search, and our search feature on the new site is really much improved and takes advantage of that search function,” Kaufmann said.
Beyond the search capabilities, the website’s design follows a theme in the main overhead story that will change each week. It also includes feature stories in a discover section, a photograph gallery and additional news and updates at the bottom.
“We can bring their stories together so they're not as much one-off stories but themed together,” Vizuete said.
UNC.edu first utilized storytelling features in 2010, and the website quickly moved from one story a week to three or five. These stories are especially important for prospective students who may not be able to visit the University, Kaufmann said.
