The Purpose

The primary challenge was to foster a sense of community among Santa Monica College design students. Key questions included how to facilitate better communication and engagement for those seeking an engaging community with shared interest in design.

How might we create community at Santa Monica College for design students?

01. The Research

The research phase involved both primary and secondary methods. Insights were gathered from various platforms such as the SMC Discord and Reddit, alongside academic resources. Primary findings indicated a clear lack of activities and communication among students, while secondary research highlighted the importance of collaboration and having a community platform.

Lack of active communication and events hindered the formation of community among design students.

Emotion Mapping

Interviews with design students revealed a preference for hybrid events and highlighted the negative impact of inactivity and poor communication on students engagement. These insights were pivotal in understanding students' needs. Oli, Marcus, and Romell mapped their journeys through the semester detailing mood shifts and events that impacted their sense of community. This provided valuable perspectives on the challenges students faced connecting and engaging with the club.

Persona

The development of a detailed persona, Cindy Sanchez, was crucial in designing targeted solutions. As a junior SMC student with intermediate design skills, Cindy’s frustrations and goals provided a focused lens through which the project’s user-centric solutions were crafted. Her need for productive, well-communicated club activities mirrored the broader user requirements, ensuring the design solutions were impactful.

02. The Approach

The proposed solution was to revamp the SMC Design Club's identity and digital presence, ensuring it became a central hub for student interaction and professional growth. This included a new club logo and a comprehensive website with updated site architecture to facilitate easier navigation and interaction.

Branding Redesign

The club's visual identity was redesigned to align more closely with SMC colors to build a correlation with the club and campus, as well as foster a sense of belonging for students. This redesign was also strategically used in promotional materials to enhance visibility of the club and build awareness around the campus.

Site Architecture

User feedback from usability testing highlighted the effectiveness of the website's user-friendly design and the strategic placement of posters. Feedback validated success in enhancing accessibility and engagement for design students at CMD. Students voiced positive impact on their learning experience and engagement with design materials.

Wireframes

The wireframes for the SMC Design Club site prioritized creating an engaging and interactive user experience. They featured a dynamic video showcasing the campus and CMD community, interactive elements to engage visitors, and quick redirects to essential links like the club mission, how to join, and social media profiles. The design served as a central hub to inspire and connect users, streamlining access to resources and fostering a sense of community.

03. The Results

The SMC Design Club project demonstrated the power of user-centered design in improving student engagement and accessibility. By integrating user feedback and focusing on the unique needs of design students, the project created a more supportive and interactive learning environment while paving the way for future enhancements.

Feedback

Moving Forward

Insights gained will further the growth and refinement of the SMC Design community. I aim to refine the supportive space for design students, fostering professional growth and personal connections. I will be iterating the web design for a mobile layout, and potentially integrating the learning library into the SMCGO app.