Our redesign of the Air Force Academy's admissions site improved content organization and navigation, leading to higher application completions and lower bounce rates, effectively enhancing user experience.
Development
Testing & UX
UI Design
Our team delved deep into user experiences, using conversion metrics and candid feedback from user studies. We discovered the main issue: candidates struggled to access vital information during their decision-making process for joining the Air Force.
After detailed user studies and persona development, we pinpointed content organization as the core issue. We conducted a content audit, redesigned the site map, and compared various navigation styles from industry benchmarks, leading to a strategic approach for content restructuring.
My role included designing site modules and creating a comprehensive style guide in Sketch. Utilizing Zeplin, we facilitated seamless design communication with our front-end developers, focusing on structuring information hierarchically and developing versatile UI elements for consistent site-wide use.
Initially, we tested the redesigned navigation approaches, selecting the one that best facilitated task completion. After launch, we monitored the site's overall performance, noting a marked increase in application completion rates and a reduction in bounce rates, confirming the effectiveness of our redesign.
The redesign of the Air Force Academy's admissions website was a resounding success. A year after its launch, we observed a significant increase in the conversion rate of students completing their applications. Additionally, the overall bounce rate of pages decreased, indicating that users were engaging more effectively with the content provided. These outcomes not only validated our approach to reorganizing the site's content and navigation but also demonstrated the impact of user-centered design in addressing specific challenges and improving user experience. The project was a testament to the power of strategic design and collaboration in achieving measurable results.
To continue this success, we plan to maintain a cycle of iterative improvements based on ongoing user feedback and analytics. Regularly updating the website to reflect changes in user needs and technological advancements is crucial. We'll also monitor key performance indicators, like application completion rates and user engagement metrics, to identify areas for further enhancement. Additionally, staying informed about new design trends and digital best practices will ensure the website remains relevant and user-friendly. This continuous improvement approach is essential for sustaining and building upon the success we've achieved.
