The Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI has launched a new interactive Web site developed to better serve students, faculty, staff and others, and to foster a clearer definition of informatics and its implications for the future.
The Web site prominently features the School’s undergraduate and graduate programs, including the nation’s first PhD program in Informatics. Academic programs include Informatics, Bioinformatics, Health Informatics, Health Information Administration, Human-Computer Interaction, and Media Arts & Science.
“We know that Web site visitors expect easy navigation and compelling content,” explained Anthony Faiola, executive associate dean. “We have added dynamic video content and other new design elements which will help site visitors better understand the wide scope of informatics as an academic discipline, and the associated career opportunities available to our graduates.”
A featured element of the new Web site is an animation that answers the question, “What is Informatics?” Mathew Powers, lecturer, and Stephanie Shattuck, an undergraduate student, developed the Flash movie using a “digital river” metaphor that highlights each of the School’s academic programs including examples of informatics at work in the classroom and workplace.
The School is home to a dynamic Media Arts & Science (MAS) program, where students learn the latest theory and applications necessary for effective digital communications. School leaders say that understanding and implementing these best practices was crucial to developing a site that is both functional and visually appealing.
“As the leading academic program in Indiana teaching Web design and usability, it was especially important that the School have a cutting-edge Web presence,” Faiola said. “I’m proud to say we have a site that reflects the high quality of teaching enjoyed by our students.”
A team of IU Informatics alumni – Nate Garrett, Webmaster; Steve Hodges, interface design; and Stuart Ough, usability – was responsible for site development including usability testing with various focus groups, the writing of new programming code and databases, and designing and testing of the site’s new interface.
Barbara Hayes, associate dean, Vicki Daugherty, projects coordinator, Kim Melluck, technology director, Neal Moore, director of community relations, Geoffrey Coryell, videographer, and Robert “Skip” Comer, photographer, played roles in developing and managing site content including collecting hundreds of images and videos to use as visual elements.
“New and prospective students will find information about the School’s admissions and registration procedures that is intuitive and easily understood,” Hayes said.
Other key elements of the site include improved navigation, a strong use of video featuring informatics faculty, students and staff, and a stunning design employing related but distinct color palettes to differentiate the academic programs.
Additional information about the IU School of Informatics and Computing is available here.
Media Contact
Joanne Lovrinic
jebehele@iu.edu
317-278-9208