Homepage Redesign 2023

Initial Analyses

We surveyed the homepages of peer institutions and other libraries, annotating what worked and didn't work. Then we conducted a task analysis of our own users and their needs. For instance, what tasks might graduate students be engaged in when they get to the Libraries homepage? 

Through an "anti-problem" workshop, we identified components of a library homepage that would encourage people to keep using a library website. We then took a step back and collaboratively answered some big-picture questions, such as, "What is the job of the Libraries homepage?" 

Guiding Principles

Finally, conducting a meta-analysis of these ideation activities, we compiled a list of guiding principles that would govern the redesign process, including:

• Help users get stuff done/get to what they need
• Simplify the layout: lots of white space and sections in a single column
• Highlight the gems of the Libraries, like technology lending devices and spaces
• Use visuals like tiles (without overwhelming the page with too many)
• Include “where to start” content for newbies
• Find the balance between user needs (things users know they want to accomplish when they come to our website) and promotional opportunities (showing users cool new stuff they didn’t know before)

Stakeholder Input and Prototypes

With these principles in mind, we designed wireframes (mock-ups). We invited stakeholders from other Libraries departments to give feedback on these wireframes and tell us their perspectives on how the homepage could and should serve users. With their input, we designed a working prototype of the homepage that we could employ in user research.

User Research

The User Research Team conducted six studies between November 2022 and April 2023. They resulted in user-centered improvements to the homepage. Over 100 people participated in these studies.

Members of the User Research Team who contributed to these studies, in addition to the User Experience Department: Dave Provost, Dharini Baskaran, Gabriel Israel, Lara Fountaine

Initial Usability Study

In November 2022, we asked five student participants to share their opinions and complete tasks remotely using a prototype of the new homepage. Participants liked the new homepage tiles and search areas. They also speculated on what the hero image was trying to convey; the caption had "Lorem ipsum" placeholder text so its provenance was unclear. (The “hero image” is the large promotional image that stretches across the page.) We found good evidence that service portal tiles will introduce users to unfamiliar services. 

Staff Tiny Café

We held a Tiny Café (pop-up user research table) for Libraries staff at the Hill and Hunt Libraries in December 2022, asking staff members about their perspectives on the homepage prototype’s functionality. We also asked them to complete an anonymous mini-survey. We found that the new search box and More Research Tools area helped facilitate our colleagues' homepage tasks, such as finding materials and accessing the staff directory. 

"Huge" Café

We held a double-size Tiny Café for 2.5 hours in January 2023 with a total of 53 participants. Our goal was to test two versions of the new homepage, one with a hero image and one without. Participants liked the visual appeal of the hero image and search area. The version without the hero image garnered more attention on page organization and events. Based on participant feedback, we recommended proceeding with the hero image and suggested that the links for research tools be turned into mini tiles for visual anchoring. 

Survey 

We sent out a survey testing two more homepage versions in March and April 2023, with a total of 25 staff, student, and faculty participants. This time, one version had an all-white background, and the other had alternating colored backgrounds for each section. Both versions of the homepage yielded mostly positive feedback during first impressions. Based on the results of this study, we proceeded with implementing colored backgrounds behind some sections and refining the design of the search box to protrude less into the hero image while remaining the primary area of focus on the page.

Final Usability Study

We conducted a remote usability study in April 2023, asking student participants to complete tasks and share their perspectives. Participants noted the clean and simplistic design, understandable headings, and the use of color bands to distinguish page sections. 

Study summaries written by Myra Bari, student assistant to the Web Team.

Refining the Design

With design expertise from the External Relations department, we refined the design of the homepage, focusing on typographical harmony and aligning visual elements. We launched the new homepage on May 22, 2023. 

We included an unobtrusive "Feedback" button for a brief, anonymous survey so that users could continue to share their input on the new homepage throughout the Fall 2023 semester.