Overview
The Department of Statistics at UC Berkeley was one of the first established centers in the US for statistical research, and has one of the top two statistics graduate programs nationally. Their existing website, built on an outdated version of Drupal, lacked mobile responsiveness, accessibility compliance, and intuitive navigation for its diverse user base, including students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners.
Challenge
- Outdated Platform: The existing site was on an older Drupal version, necessitating a migration to a more current, secure, and maintainable platform.
- User Experience: Navigation was not user-centric, making it difficult for various audiences to find relevant information.
- Accessibility: The site did not meet modern accessibility standards, limiting usability for all users.
- Visual Identity: The department desired a unique visual identity that reflected its focus on data and analytics.
They’d done some websites on our campus already, and I loved their work. The department Black Antelope had previously worked with highly recommended them. I gave them a sketch of the homepage on a piece of paper, and aside from one other conversation about how I wanted it to look that was all they had. They really heard what I said and translated that into visuals that matched exactly what I asked for. Their instincts about what looks good are spot-on.
Laura Slakey
UC Berkeley Statistics
They’d done some websites on our campus already, and I loved their work. The department Black Antelope had previously worked with highly recommended them. I gave them a sketch of the homepage on a piece of paper, and aside from one other conversation about how I wanted it to look that was all they had. They really heard what I said and translated that into visuals that matched exactly what I asked for. Their instincts about what looks good are spot-on.
Laura Slakey
UC Berkeley Statistics
Solution
To modernize the department’s digital presence, we began by migrating the site to the latest version of Drupal, providing a stable, secure, and flexible foundation for content management. Working closely with department stakeholders, we restructured the site’s navigation around the distinct needs of key audiences—including prospective students, current students, faculty, and research collaborators—making it easier to find relevant information quickly.
Design-wise, we created a clean, modern interface that reflects the department’s analytical spirit. A custom “hexagonal binning” motif—drawn from data visualization—added a unique visual signature to the site. We also implemented a mobile-first design and brought the site into full WCAG 2.0 AA compliance, ensuring usability for all visitors.
Results
- Enhanced User Experience: The new site offers intuitive navigation tailored to various user groups, facilitating easier access to information.
- Improved Accessibility: Compliance with accessibility standards broadened the site's reach and usability.
- Modern Visual Identity: The incorporation of data-centric design elements provided a unique and relevant visual identity.
- Efficient Content Management: The updated Drupal platform allows for streamlined content updates and maintenance by the department staff.
