The new site design needed to be distinctive, highly functional, easy to update, and accessible to a broad international demographic. To meet these requirements, we developed a streamlined, scalable architecture and navigation scheme; an easy-to-administrate template system, and an accessible site that required no plug-ins. We created a fresh, confident aesthetic that presents the Design School as a vital, independent center at the forefront of new thinking, and deeply committed to education as its core mission. See 2001 site design.

After a successful 6-year run, the GSD sought a fresh look, a new homepage with areas for dynamic content, and improved usability. They contracted Cabengo to gather intelligence on internal needs, clarify priority audiences and objectives, and help define the mandate and scope for a re-design effort. Based on findings, we proposed an interim solution that would preserve the existing architecture and backend but allow for new front end design.

Cabengo's contemporary, modular design features a series of large, spontaneous, "slice of life" images that provide a glimpse into the inner life of the school. Each photo in the series triggers a custom palette for the two adjacent content blocks, adding a dynamic color component to the page. Elegant custom scroll bars enable users to access additional content. The new homepage also features a dynamic gallery of student work, underscoring the GSD's commitment to education. We re-designed interior templates, standardized styles for all page elements to improve usability, and developed a style guide to direct GSD developers during implementation.

Services: Strategic consulting, creative and art direction, graphic and interface design.