Reach Consulting Group is a website for a campus organization that focuses on connecting students studying data science, consulting, and/or UX design at U of M with real world clients. I created a website to make the connection between executive board, prospective members, and current members a seamless and informative process.
BACKGROUND
MISSION STATEMENT
Reach Consulting Group is dedicated to bridging the gap between students studying data science, consulting, and/or UX design at the University of Michigan and real-world clients. Our mission is to facilitate connections between our executive board, prospective members, current members, and potential partners through a streamlined and informative digital platform.
THE PROBLEM
Reach did not have brand guidelines to follow for website and content consistency. They also lacked an efficient way to connect members with each other and with external opportunities. The existing system did not effectively showcase opportunities available, nor did it provide a seamless method for engagement. The previous website was not user friendly and extremely out of date.
SOLUTION & GOALS
The goal is to reduce stress associated with subleasing, streamline the search for suitable accommodation and housemates, and enhance the overall experience of navigating the campus housing market.
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Create a brand guideline portfolio
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Increase website traffic by 30% within the first three months
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Provide information on the executive board of the organization
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Have an up to date calendar on recruitment process and upcoming events
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Link social media outlets
Design Process
Define, research, plan, iterate, gather feedback, and conduct user testing.
USER RESEARCH
RESEARCH
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Understand the feature hierarchy of other clubs at the University of Michigan to provide suggestions for Reach's website
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Conduct surveys with 50 current members and 5 alumni to understand their expectations and needs from the club website
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Analyze user interaction with college organization sites
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Collect data for traffic, contact form submissions, and other website analytics to provide before and after design metrics
HOW MIGHT WE...
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How might we encourage students to join the club?
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How might we facilitate connections between our members and technology companies?
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How might we foster trust with external organizations to secure more real-world projects for our members?
USER PERSONA
USER PERSONA
BRAND GUIDELINES
THE PRODUCT
Website traffic increased by 87% over four months
Membership applications doubled year over year, from 60 in 2020 to 120 in 2024
Implementation of brand guidelines significantly improved the consistency digital presence
User Experience Ratings: Post-redesign feedback shows a user satisfaction rate increase from 60% to 85%
TAKEAWAYS
DESIGN OUTCOMES
Feedback Collection and Analysis: Developing methods for gathering user feedback through surveys, user testing, and analytics
Project time management: Time restriction of 1 month for completion and less than a year for proof of improvement
Digital Marketing and SEO: Understanding the strategies involved in digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) to increase the site’s visibility and attract more traffic
LEARNING POINTS