I want to learn more about the design strategies for this site.

• A need-based approach formed the basis for the design of this site. Staff expertise and experience were used to contextualize information for different audiences. Additional information on the need-based approach can be found in Design Strategies for Need-Based Internet Web Sites in Counseling and Career Services and a related slide show. You can also view a step-by-step process for developing a need-based Web site. For an article describing this approach, see: Sampson, J. P., Jr. (1999). Integrating Internet-based distance guidance with services provided in career centers. The Career Development Quarterly, 47, 243-254. 

• No more than about seven information "chunks" were placed on each page. This makes the Web site deeper, which may require more user clicks to access information, but results in less information processing and confusion for the user. A more categorically-organized, deeper site makes it easier for the user to create a simple mental model for navigating and using the site. Content was posted in a manner that assists users in selecting, locating, sequencing, and using our information resources.
  
  
  • The selecting process was facilitated by the need-based design of the site, descriptive internal links, and associated learning outcomes.
    
    
  • The locating process was facilitated by internal and external links.
    
    
  • The sequencing process was facilitated by placing descriptive internal links in a sequence appropriate for the task being completed.
    
    
  • The using process was facilitated by the general usage recommendations provided for the seven categories of users.

• Off-site links were chosen carefully and used sparingly. No link tool was included in the navigation area, instead all links were embedded in the site where appropriate to meet specific user needs.

• The deepest level of the site (individual documents with no further links) was excluded from the Site Map. This provides for a quicker search by users and for better use of limited staff time for maintaining the Web site.

• Reading levels of different user groups were considered when authoring text. Pages were also designed to maximize accessibility for individuals with visual disabilities.
  
• Graphics and other bandwidth intense features were used sparingly to enable pages to load quickly in a variety of user environments. The site was also designed to function on a variety of browsers and browser versions. Technologies such as cascading style sheets and dynamic html were avoided in favor of wider accessibility.

• Due to limited resources, off the shelf software (Microsoft Office and FrontPage) was used to provide ongoing access to current information with a minimum of maintenance effort and without the need for specialized staff.

Additional information about the use of this site can be found in the help tool in the navigation area.