My professional footprint just got a lot bigger, and I’m excited, even if it means less personal time for me! This week, the theme hasn’t just been about finishing what I started, but about stepping into a new arena entirely. I am happy to share that I have secured a third position/internship with West Bend Schools. As I continue to push Big Brothers Big Sisters and Farmer Dan toward the finish line, I am now beginning a massive undertaking for the school district that will test everything I’ve learned about user experience and digital strategy.
The project for West Bend Schools is a comprehensive overhaul. We are moving to a new CMS (Final Site) with a singular mission: making the site mobile-accessible, easy to use, and image-forward. In a world where parents and students are accessing information on the go, the current “desktop-first” mentality has to go.
My focus is currently on the navigation. I’m evaluating the current sitemap and working to make it intuitive – ensuring that vital information isn’t buried under layers of outdated menus. Beyond the design, I’ll create training guides and host sessions to ensure the staff can maintain this new ecosystem. The plan is that one person from each school in the district will take on the website updates. Once the foundation is set, we’ll be shifting our focus to revitalizing the district’s social media presence to better connect with the community.
While the new role is taking shape, Big Brothers Big Sisters is hitting a high-energy phase. I am currently deep in the “Events and Calendar” section of the site, and it is taking some time. We will move away from the complete calendar design they currently use (it is crowded and messy looking)and instead use an event-style page that scrolls through upcoming events. They just sent over another significant asset folder, so I now have more current images to choose from and include.
Farmer Dan is moving forward as well, albeit at a slightly slower pace. Now that I have the “bones” of the site set, I am starting the work on his product list. This is the part of the project that requires the most attention to detail – ensuring every item is described accurately and reflects the integrity of the farm.
Adding a school district redesign to my plate alongside two other clients and my classes has forced me to be more disciplined than ever. My “To-Do” list has evolved into a full-scale project management board. I’m no longer just a student designer; I’m a consultant managing multiple brand identities and technical platforms simultaneously. Yikes! I never thought I’d say that!
The scope is expanding, the stakes are higher, and the momentum is only building!
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