CSU Housing Redesign
Project
Chico State Housing approached my team with the task of redesigning their housing website to better serve current and prospective campus community members.
The original site was described as confusing, cluttered, and poorly optimized for mobile users. Our goal was to create a refreshed, user-centered design that improved accessibility, simplified navigation, and highlighted housing options in a way that resonated with a diverse demographic.
Challenges
The initial site presented several usability pain points, including overwhelming information hierarchy, confusing navigation, and a lack of mobile responsiveness. Users struggled to find key information such as pricing and amenities, leading to frustration and inefficiency.
Additionally, competitors effectively highlighted their unique offerings while adhering to standard conventions that enhanced usability and engagement. This disparity revealed the need for Chico State Housing to better showcase its strengths and align with user expectations, for simplicity and accessibility.
Solution
The redesigned site template focused on reducing clutter, improving navigation, and emphasizing key information such as unique housing features, furnishings, and amenities. A mobile-friendly pricing chart was integrated directly below housing options, providing immediate clarity and eliminating unnecessary navigation.
These updates streamlined the user experience, aligned with stakeholder goals, and set a strong foundation for future scalability.
The Work
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![A laptop displaying the original Chico State Housing website with cluttered navigation and overwhelming content.]()
Before: The original Chico State Housing site suffered from poor information hierarchy, overwhelming content, and disorganized navigation, making it difficult for users to assess housing options effectively.
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![An Excel spreadsheet displaying data collected during a competitive audit.]()
Conducting a competitive audit provided valuable insights into industry standards and best practices for university housing websites. By analyzing features, layouts, and user experiences across competitors, I identified opportunities to streamline content and improve the user experience for the Chico State Housing redesign.
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![A laptop displaying the redesigned Chico State Housing website with streamlined content and clear navigation.]()
After: The redesigned housing site simplifies navigation and reduces content overload. Key details—such as unit types, furnishings, and amenities—are highlighted to help users quickly determine if a housing option meets their needs.
