UX/UI Design + Web Design
Role
UX/UI Designer & Web Designer
Year
2025
Project Type
Corporate Project
The GFH Community Gardens website was designed and developed from the ground up as part of my work at UC San Diego. I led the project from initial planning through launch, collaborating with stakeholders to define the site's goals, developing the content strategy, writing and editing web content, designing the user experience, and building the website within the university's Simple Sites platform. The result is the program's first dedicated web presence—a centralized resource that helps Graduate & Family Housing residents learn about community gardens, volunteer opportunities, educational resources, and community events.
Goal
Design and build a website for the Graduate & Family Housing Community Gardens program, creating a centralized resource where residents could learn about the gardens, discover volunteer opportunities, access educational resources, and stay informed about community events.
Opportunity
Without an existing website, the Community Gardens program needed a digital home that clearly communicated its mission and made it easy for residents to get involved. This project provided an opportunity to shape every aspect of the experience—from content strategy and site architecture to visual design and implementation—while working within UC San Diego's web standards and CMS.
Approach
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Stakeholder Discovery
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Content Strategy & Information Architecture
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Visual Design
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Responsive Development
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Launch & Knowledge Transfer
Stakeholder Discovery
I collaborated with stakeholders to understand the goals of the Community Gardens program and identify the information residents were most likely to seek. These conversations helped define the site's priorities, ensuring the content supported both program awareness and ongoing community engagement.
Content Strategy & Information Architecture
Starting with a blank slate, I developed the site's structure by organizing content into a clear, intuitive user journey. I grouped related information into logical sections, created a navigation system that supports both new and returning visitors, and ensured key resources could be accessed with minimal effort.
Visual Design
Working within the constraints of UC San Diego's Simple Sites platform, I designed a clean, welcoming interface that reflects the collaborative spirit of the gardens. Natural imagery, thoughtful spacing, and clear typography help communicate the program's mission while keeping the experience approachable and easy to navigate.
Responsive Development
I built the website in the Simple Sites CMS, translating the design into a responsive, accessible experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Throughout development, I ensured the site's structure and content remained easy to maintain for future updates.
Launch & Knowledge Transfer
Following implementation, I finalized the site for publication and organized its content so program staff could easily update events, announcements, and resources. The result is a scalable website that supports the Community Gardens program as it continues to grow.
