First, I solicited participants for user interviews and user research from the appropriate user group, and conducted interviews following Cornell University Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Human Participants guidelines. Protocols for user interviews were established and followed systematically to uncover users’ goals and needs.

Second, I developed a user persona based on the data extracted from user interviews. The persona, “Amy,” is highly proficient in using desktop computers and various software programs. Among other attributes, Amy values a collaborative environment, and uses the current web portal for routine tasks. However, she finds much of the portal to be confusing or unclear and completing some tasks using the portal to be frustrating and inefficient. Amy indicated that she needs to stay up on current events, and because she is very busy, her time is valuable. She also feels that the current UI design is unclear and dull.

Third, evaluation of the user interview data revealed information that was incorporated into specific user and design requirements. I then developed a series of low-fidelity through high-fidelity prototypes based on the persona, user, and design requirements, and user research was conducted at each prototyping stage to gain feedback and refine the product.

Finally, a fully-developed, attractive and easy-to-use UI design was created according to design requirements and using colors and fonts from the university’s existing brand guidelines.