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 that fueled self-learning and skill building.

How can we promote community that encourages self-learning for creative students at the Center for Media and Design?

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.

Insights identified student needs, current resource gaps, and precise expectations from creative resources.

Netnography

Using netnography, I immersed myself in the environment of our community of CMD students. This involved observing daily routines and interactions with existing resources like Discord, clubs, and various forums, to understand their needs, frustrations, and expectations from a resource platform.

Heuristic Evaluation

I performed a heuristic evaluation of the existing CMD website. This analysis revealed several usability issues, such as the site's failure to be immediately recognizable as part of a creative program and the absence of a dedicated section for creative resources.

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.

Crafting an integrated digital and visual approach to enhance resource accessibility and engagement.

Awareness Posters

Additionally, I proposed a design for strategically placed engaging posters around campus, specifically in high-traffic areas like the computer lab. These posters were created to not only draw attention to the resources available online but also to integrate seamlessly with the digital aesthetics of the website, fostering a cohesive visual identity for CMD resources.

03. The Results

The design process provided valuable insights into the impact of user-centered solutions on student engagement and accessibility. By incorporating feedback and focusing on the needs of design students, the project successfully demonstrated how thoughtful design can enhance learning experiences and foster a supportive community. This section highlights the outcomes and future potential of these efforts.

Feedback

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.

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.