As a student researcher and webmaster for the RESSL Lab at Santa Clara University, I was given the opportunity to work with my first real web design client: the lab's professor and principal researcher. The existing website had been built using Wix, but it had inconsistent styling, outdated content, limited mobile responsiveness, and opportunities for improved search engine optimization. My role was to redesign and reorganize the website while maintaining the visual direction and preferences of the client.
Working directly with the professor, I updated and refined the site's design to create a more cohesive and responsive experience across different devices. I also reviewed and updated outdated content, including the lab's member information and blog, while improving the overall organization and discoverability of the website. Unlike a typical class project, this experience required me to balance my own design decisions with client feedback and the needs of an active research lab.
Today, I continue to maintain the website by making updates as the lab evolves, including publishing blog posts, updating lab information, and ensuring the site remains current. This project has given me valuable experience in client communication, website redesign, responsive design, content management, and maintaining a live website with a real audience.
