PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project focused on designing and developing the first-ever website for Gator User Design, the UX design club at the University of Florida. Our aim was to build a site that showcased the mission, events, and resources of the club, encouraged collaboration among its members, and introduced the many opportunities awaiting students in UI/UX and product design. By means of teamwork, ideation, and iteration, our group was able to create a website representative of GUD's drive to develop a community of impassioned designers.
Role
UX/UI design
User Research
Wireframing
Prototyping
PERIOD
October 2023 - April 2024
TOOLS
Figma
Google Creative Suite
TEAM
Howard Le
Jennifer Purington
Thomas Kaw
Ky’mani Brown
Natalie Sesodia (PM)
RESEARCH
Background
Gator User Design (GUD), established in 2023 at the University of Florida, was founded on the principles of User Experience, User Interface, and Product Design. Committed to developing an active community of designers, the club encourages collaboration across disciplines, professional networking, and hands-on opportunities to create impactful digital solutions. Over the span of seven months, our design team developed GUD's first ever website platform to highlight its mission, activities, and resources, as well as support its members in building their portfolios and reaching out to industry professionals.
Market Analysis
DEFINE
Affinity Diagram
Our team conducted a collaborative five-minute brainstorming session to identify key features and functionalities for the website, ensuring the design aligned with the club's mission and member needs.
User Persona
IDEATE
Design Requirements
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A sleek, modern aesthetic
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Communicate who we are and what we do
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Show upcoming events
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Showcase past work
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Provide UI/UX resources
User Task Flow Diagram
DESIGN
Branding & Style Guidelines
Components
Low Fidelity Wireframes
High Fidelity Prototype - Desktop
High Fidelity Prototype - Mobile
TEST
User Testing
Usability testing has not yet been conducted, as the website is still awaiting its public launch. Once live, user feedback will play a crucial role in refining the design and functionality.
Final Thoughts
For my first-ever design team experience, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented group. From surveying our club's members to effectively communicating our ideas to stakeholders, the entire process was both insightful and rewarding. This journey provided me with a valuable glimpse into group design dynamics and underscored the importance of clear communication.
As this project concludes, I believe this website will significantly boost our club's engagement and inspire others to get involved. Given more time, I would love to revisit the project to refine it further with modern animations and enhancements. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Gator User Design for this incredible opportunity, which has fueled my motivation to take on even larger projects, allowing me to continue learning, growing, and making a meaningful impact.
