Redesigning NATHM College Website
Introduction
Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) recognized the need to redesign the NATHM college website to better serve prospective students, current students, and other stakeholders. The objective was to create a user-friendly, visually appealing, and informative online presence that would enhance user experience and streamline access to information.
Problem Statement
The existing NATHM website suffered from several issues:
- Outdated Design: The aesthetic did not reflect modern web design standards.
- Disorganized Information: Content was scattered and not easily navigable.
- Usability Issues: Users found it difficult to find the information they needed, leading to frustration and disengagement.
Objectives
The main goals for redesigning the NATHM college website were:
- Enhance User Experience: Create a modern and user-friendly design.
- Improve Information Organization: Streamline content presentation and navigation.
- Maintain Unique Identity: Preserve the unique character of NATHM while aligning with contemporary design standards.
Process
The redesign process involved several key phases, each focusing on identifying and addressing specific issues with the existing website:
1. Hero Section Audit
The hero section of the website was evaluated and found to be cluttered and confusing. Simplifying this section was a priority to make the first impression strong and clear.
2. User Personas
Developing user personas helped ensure the redesign would meet the needs of different user groups.
Approach
1. Analysis
Screenshots of each page from the existing website were taken to understand the information architecture and identify areas of redundancy and disorganization.
2. Information Architecture
Information was categorized to group related content together and separate unrelated elements.
3. Design Inspiration and Ideation
Design inspiration was drawn from leading educational websites, including Stanford University and St. Xavier’s College.
Research
Wireframing
Mid-fidelity wireframes were created to visualize content layout and improve user interaction.
Designs
1. Example 1 – About Us Page
Problem: Information was scattered across six different pages.
Solution: Consolidated into a single “About Us” page with toggle navigation for easy access.
2. Example 2 – Courses Page
Problem: The page contained a large, low-resolution image and lengthy paragraphs, making it difficult to navigate.
Solution: Implemented content chunking and toggle navigation to simplify access.
Conclusion
Redesigning the NATHM college website successfully combines modern style with intuitive navigation, ensuring that users can effortlessly find the information they need. By reorganizing content and maintaining a clean layout, the user experience has been significantly improved, aligning with the goals of enhancing user experience, improving information organization, and maintaining the unique identity of the college.