MBS Externship Website
PROJECT TYPE
Freelance Contract
ROLE
UX/UI Designer – Wireframing, Prototyping, Visual Design
TOOLS
Figma, Optimal Workshop, WordPress
Redesign and restructure the Externship Exchange website to align with the new Rutgers MBS brand and improve usability for prospective students.
GOALS
Delivered a fully redesigned and implemented WordPress site that improved content clarity, streamlined navigation, and was prepared for launch following stakeholder review.
OUTCOME
MBS Externship Redesign
JUN 2022 - FEB 2023
Overview
Project Goals:
Reorganize and redesign the Externship Exchange site to align with Rutgers MBS branding
Clearly communicate program benefits, application details, and past project examples
Improve site navigation and information architecture through testing and iteration
Launch a functional, content-rich site that supports student engagement and program visibility
As part of the complete redesign of the Rutgers MBS website, the Externship Exchange program needed to update its web presence to better reflect the value of the program, communicate clearly with prospective students, and align with the new brand identity. I joined a cross-functional team of designers tasked with rebranding and restructuring the Externship Exchange site. Building on prior UX research, I helped translate insights into a functional, user-centered prototype and participated in user testing and final content implementation.
Key Contributions:
Designed new and redesigned existing pages based on site map and visual design guidelines
Maintained visual consistency with the main Rutgers MBS site using established brand standards
Participated in usability testing using Optimal Workshop (tree test, card sort, and first click tests)
Interpreted test results to refine navigation structure, layout clarity, and content hierarchy
Collaborated on content organization and uploaded final approved copy to the WordPress CMS
OUTCOME
The redesigned site improved content discoverability and streamlined the user journey for prospective students exploring the externship program. Initial user testing confirmed that the revised navigation and page layouts addressed key pain points in the original structure. The updated pages were implemented within the WordPress site and prepared for launch pending final client approval. My contract concluded before the next scheduled round of usability testing and final rollout.
What would my next steps be?
Conduct a second round of usability testing after content reorganization to validate improvements
Finalize content updates in collaboration with stakeholders and Rutgers MBS leadership
Launch the redesigned site and monitor user behavior for ongoing improvements post-launch
View final Site here
The goal of the rebrand was clearly present to prospective students the benefits of the externship exchange program and the information needed to apply as well as past projects and partners.
MBS Externship Website
JUN 2022 - FEB 2023
Design and test a rebranded website for the MBS Externship Exchange Program.
I joined a team of UX/UI designers working on a complete overhaul of the Rutgers Externship Exchange website, to be launched in tandem with the newly designed Rutgers MBS website.
I utilized previously collected UX research to create a data-driven prototype. Participated in one round of user testing and helped add approved content to the WordPress site.
Framing the challenge
With the complete redesign of the Rutgers MBS website, the Externship department needed to spruce up its portion of the site as well. I joined a team of other UX researchers and designers who had already completed the preliminary research and compiled a site map, user flow, and visual design guidelines.
I was tasked with designing several new pages, as well as the redesign of several others. I reviewed the visual guidelines and the main Rutgers MBS website to maintain a consistent aesthetic.
The goal of the rebrand was to clearly present to prospective students the benefits of the externship exchange program and the information needed to apply, as well as past projects and partners.
When we had a functioning prototype, we were able to set up several user tests, using Optimal Workshop, to make sure that our navigation and information architecture were well structured.
With the data from our user testing, we made the necessary changes to the design and began adding the content to the WordPress site.
Site Map
The original site map was used as a reference throughout the initial design and prototyping stages. We were working with an enormous amount of information that needed to be organized and presented and the site map helped us to stick to a clear path.
Design Details
We worked with Rutgers branding guidelines to create a unified experience across the entire site.
Wireframes & Prototype
Our low-fidelity wireframes helped to clarify the information architecture of the site and make sure there was consistency within the page design.
User Testing
Using Optimal Workshop, we set up three tests, a tree test, first click, and card sorting. With these tests, we wanted to see if our assumptions with the current navigation and information architecture design made sense to the prospective users. Links to our tests were sent out to students at Rutgers.
The data we received showed us there were a few areas where we could clarify and streamline the information and user flow. We created a new site map that would help us as we moved forward with reorganizing the content on the website. Once this reorganization was complete, another round of user testing would be implemented.
Next Steps
Upon completion of the first round of user testing our team would go on to implement the necessary changes to the information architecture and navigation. A follow-up round of user testing would then be conducted to make sure that the new site navigation and layout addressed previous issues found by users.
The new changes would then be run by the client and their team for final approval before being added to the WordPress Site for launch.
