Background Info

San José State University's Steinbeck Center aims to give educational opportunities to teachers, students, and writers in keeping with John Steinbeck’s value of empathy. The program provides:

• free resources to teachers and students
• supplements for Steinbeck's novels in educational settings
• resources for English Language Learners
• adaptable lesson plans

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Project Goals & Scope

• compare the design, site architecture, and resources of similar sites
• rework the navigation structure to be more responsive and convenient for mobile users
• create an approachable identity/brand to carry throughout the website
• promote and clearly communicate credible and educational resources
• ensure accessibility and SEO best practices are maintained with the new design

Outcome

The redesigned Steinbeck in the Schools website is optimized for its two audience groups: students and teachers. Students can easily navigate through reading guides, using the responsive design more efficiently. Similarly, teachers can quickly access lesson plans and class curriculum for Steinbeck's works. The new brand identity was carried throughout the site, with colors, illustrations and graphic elements selected to make the site more approachable and fun for users. We continue to see positive analytical data for the site that has the groundwork and capabilities to grow alongside the Steinbeck Center.