The layout for this site was based on simplicity. Navigation is based on who is looking at the site, so we created a tab for parents and students and then tabs for the Board of Education and employees. Each school in the district has its own microsite with a customizable visual header that can scroll multiple images based on what the trending topics are for that institution. The schools can control what information from the district’s general site appears on their individual microsite.
Just below the header at the top of the page is a recent news ticker that can be updated easily to reflect sporting events, music events, school closings, etc., in real-time. There is also a speed bar midpage, this bar helps organize and makes it easy and fast to find the information needed. The speed bar is icon heavy, and it gives you quick links to sections, like the school calendar, athletic department information, and contact options. Just below the speed bar are some quick links to provide even more access to information, as well as an announcement section with tabs for the district as well as the schools in the district, giving visitors an easy way to get breaking news that might not be featured in the ticker at the top of the page.
One of the main features that any site needs to provide a good user experience in today’s smartphone-driven world is mobile responsiveness. Cardinal’s website was made with “mobile-first” principles in place, meaning that it was made to look great and load quickly on a cellphone. Nearly every student in the district interacts via smartphone, so making the site look great in the palm of a hand was a top priority.
The look of the site was centered around a new logo for the district. Each page is image heavy, showcasing the students and giving a connected feel. The staff can easily update the images and captions to reflect awards, new events, programs, or whatever other item the district would like to feature.
The results were just what the Huskie faithfuls had hoped for. The site is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and captures the spirit of the district. Users are immediately connected to not only information, but the Cardinal Community! The pictures, colors, and logos are vibrant, and the content on the site is organized in a way that is easy to see and easy to find!
