The OffbeatRevising the website of MSU’s undergraduate literary magazine

Overall Goal of the WebsiteTo inform students about the magazineTo encourage students to get involvedTo find out how to purchase the magazine

Current Website

Usability Testing Interviewed several of our peers who might be interested in

The Offbeat Had them answer a five question survey Most had the same answers For first impression, many said it looked nice/ was pleasant

to look at Several said the top heading/picture is pretty and draws you

in One person wished there was a list or bullet points on home

page instead of paragraph Others said there should be a better explanation of what

The Offbeat actually is and the link to the MSU Press should be bolded or highlighted to make it easier to find for purchasing reasons

Mock Ups

Initial Makeover

Initial Design Philosophy Show past issues of the magazine in a visually appealing

way An archive would allow students to get a *taste* of the

magazine before they buy it in order to encourage them to purchase it

Purchasing Information would be more readily accessible (it currently is hidden under the FAQ)

Changing the cover photo to something more relevant

Final Result

Final Design PhilosophyThe design should represent the Offbeat aesthetic:

avant garde, cool, hip, “offbeat,” etc. The purpose of the website is to attract writers,

artists, and creative thinkers, and to encourage their submissions to the magazine

Implement updated design, including bright colors and more accessible purchasing information, including past issues

Updated social media links, contact information, what’s new, and staff listing

Our Goals/ConclusionsWorked with the design drafted by the staff

and implement content changesCreate a style guide so the website can

continue to be updated CSS and format issues can be solved, and

information can be updated often