Princeton University has launched a redesigned main website that features improved search capabilities, streamlined navigation and greater emphasis on photos and videos. Its flexible format adjusts to screens of all sizes.
The new design, which had been available in a public preview for the past month, went live Thursday, May 18. Further enhancements of the site will be rolled out in the months ahead.
"We're very pleased to release this new, modern design," said Daniel Day, assistant vice president for communications. "We encourage site visitors to check out the new design on their many devices — mobile phones, tablets, and desktop and laptop computers — and to let us know how we can continue to improve the site."
A "send feedback" button is in the bottom right corner of each page. Visitors can submit comments anonymously, although users are encouraged to include email addresses so the project team can respond to questions and suggestions.
A joint project of the Office of Communications and the Office of Information Technology, the site was built based on extensive research on user behavior and preferences, best practices and trends in web design, and strategy and design produced for the University by the New York City firm Digital Pulp.
The new site features a Google-based search function and a simplified navigation bar available from any point on any page. The navigation includes a "Links for…" dropdown menu that has shortcuts to pages that students, faculty and staff use regularly, such as webmail, Blackboard, TigerHub and even Princeton-area weather.
The site features an improved public events calendar — sortable by interests — that is tied to the Timeline calendaring system that OIT recently developed for students, faculty and staff.
The new design puts a greater emphasis on photos, videos and other visual elements than on the prior site, which launched in 2008. The plan for the new site calls for continuous updates and improvements year to year.
The site has also been designed with accessibility in mind to provide an inclusive experience to people of diverse abilities in alignment with University goals of diversity and inclusion.
Further information on the redesign project is available on the project blog.
