Blog

Designing the organization's annual Impact Statement /  by Ashley Villanueva

Over the past couple of years, I've been tasked with designing the organization's annual Impact Statement.

Its purpose is to serve as a high-level communications snapshot showcasing our annual impact and influence to the campus, designed to reach administrators, campus partners and stakeholders. The 4 page, folded tabloid highlights key metrics, accomplishments, areas of growth, satisfaction trends and goals for next year. 

To elevate the graphic design components, I worked more closely with data analyst and unit leads. Each year, over 300 were distributed and I became a consultant on designing annual reports for other organizations on campus. 

2014

2016

Redesign: University Health Services, Tang Center website /  by Ashley Villanueva

This year, UHS redesigned its website from Dreamweaver to Drupal, using Open Berkeley (campus web turnkey platform). I led the 6 month undertaking, which prioritized aesthetics, simplifying content, and increasing the visibility of our programs. The new design allows for streamlined menus, clear navigation, and a responsive layout for all platforms.

In addition to the changed design and layout of the pages, new functions have been implemented in this version:

My role in the project included:

  • Facilitating student and staff focus groups
  • Transferring content from Dreamweaver to Open Berkeley
  • Serving as the primary liaison with the Open Berkeley team
  • Developing new web documentation and guidelines, including tools for UHS to implement bi-annual audits of content and imagery for accuracy and relevance
  • Refreshing the imagery for all 25+ units represented
  • Working with each individual unit to refresh and simplify content
  • Training over 20 unit web leads
  • Simultaneously redesigning the Be Well at Work Faculty/Staff Health Programs brand.

We’re already seeing positive results from the redesign.We’re seeing an increase in the average time on page and pages per visit, which is likely attributed to our improved information architecture:

Fun facts:

  • The last web redesign was launched in August 2010.
  • We’ve downsized our content 67% – from over 1,200 pages to a little under 400.
  • From site spin-up to launch, only cost roughly $1200 dollars – a significant cost saving for the organization.

I am probably most proud because I view this accomplishment as a prime example of all of Berkeley’s five operating principles:

We include and excel, together
We cultivate trust, treat one another with respect and assume good intentions. We actively include different perspectives and work cooperatively within and across departments. We thrive when we celebrate the diversity in our community and our common commitment to equity, inclusion and equal access to all.

We imagine and innovate
We develop sustainable solutions that help us meet campus goals. We are willing to take intelligent risks, make mistakes, and learn from our experiences.

We simplify
We reduce unnecessary steps and make it easier to get things done. Our solutions are common where they can be, custom where it counts.

We are accountable to each other
We measure supervisor, individual and team performance, make transparent decisions, and follow through on our commitments. We recognize excellence, and give and receive constructive feedback at all levels to help us improve.

We focus on service
We provide timely, excellent service to students, staff, faculty, alumni and other stakeholders. We emphasize service over bureaucracy whenever possible.

Keeping the creative light on /  by Ashley Villanueva

I’ve been stuck in a creative rut lately. One way to I’ve remedied the dry spell is by writing down five ideas a day. (Credit: The Muse’s 7 Small Routine Changes That’ll Have a Huge Impact on Your Life)

At first, I came up with shallow ideas: #firstworldproblems status and more of an idea/concept than the actual execution plan. In other words, none of them would make it to Shark Tank. But now it’s day 6 and the real ideas are beginning to flow. Here’s my notebook. Note: It’s also fitting that my co-active life coach is the one that gifted me the WeWork notebook!

Some ideas worth sharing:

  • A way to render music visually (think light show, perhaps with emojis) and a 15-second clip of the song. Ends with a link to purchase the track or CD. People can easily post on IG. Goal: Get people to share music! Free promotion for artists.
  • A donation program for people’s old and obsolete technology. People can choose to write it off for tax purposes, get credit at Best Buy (or some other tech store), or get a small stipend. The technology will be sent to third world countries to inspire youth to get involved in STEM and improve their home country’s conditions. Name: One Man’s Trash
  • A student experience coordinator/consultant for colleges. This person is not a student counselor, student advisor, or residential director, etc. This person is appointed on campus for 6 months to a year to evaluate “student success.” At the end of their term, student body will show at least a 20% increase in awareness of resources and “connectedness.” States will require this two in one audit and solution for universities and state colleges once every 5 years.

Let me know if some of these already exist. I would love to learn more about the execution and strategy!!! Have any ideas? Post them in the comments!

Ah, I feel my creative energy coming back. Cheers!

AV