The Raymond G. Chang School Homepage Redesign

The Chang School homepage was outdated, lacked mobile responsiveness, and did not effectively support users in finding key information such as certificates, courses, and important dates. Navigation issues and uninspiring campaign imagery led to disengagement, with many users bypassing the homepage altogether. The challenge was to create a contemporary, accessible, and intuitive design that reflected the needs of continuous learners.

How can we transform the homepage into a modern, accessible experience that truly supported learners while reflecting the university’s brand?

Discovery

UX Research
We conducted interviews with prospective and current students to understand their perspectives and pain points. Task-based user testing revealed that users struggled to find key information (registration dates), relied heavily on the navigation menu or search bar, and rarely interacted with the hero section. Visuals also failed to resonate with users.

Alongside this, I gathered stakeholder requirements, reviewed site analytics, and carried out a competitive analysis of higher education websites to identify common design patterns and best practices.

Design Process 

Initial Design Iterations
Using insights from research, I developed multiple versions of high-fidelity mockups and interactive Figma prototypes.


UX Research
I conducted a second round of interviews and moderated usability testing sessions with both prospective and current students to validate design decisions. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive: users appreciated the fresh, contemporary look, and all participants successfully completed their assigned tasks. They also suggested improvements such as adding quick links earlier on the page, featuring more diverse and relatable imagery, and reducing the emphasis on events. I iterated on the design to incorporate this feedback, creating a final version that addressed user needs while aligning with stakeholder goals.

“I like the fresh modern feel of this site.” — Learner feedback 

Final Design Solution

The final homepage prioritized a clean, scannable structure:

• Larger headings & simplified navigation reduced cognitive load.
  
• Quick Links were moved higher for faster task completion.
• Event and certificate sections were reorganized for discoverability.
• Responsive layouts and adherence to AODA standards ensured accessibility across devices.
• Updated imagery aligned with TMU’s broader marketing while better representing adult learners.

Outcome

The redesigned homepage successfully improved usability, navigation, and engagement while reinforcing the Chang School’s identity as a hub for lifelong learning.

User feedback and analytics confirmed the impact:

• 162% increase in homepage visits (YoY)
• 25% drop in bounce rate
• 79% increase in engagement (YoY)
• 100% task completion in usability testing
• Over 3M active users now engage with the Chang School site annually
  

The new homepage also laid the foundation for a scalable design system, with reusable components and patterns that extended to other areas of the site.


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