Yale School of Art UX Redesign | Ajex Arnest Portfolio.

A modern UX/UI redesign of the Yale School of Art website focusing on accessibility, minimal UI, and seamless navigation. Case study by Ajex Arnest.

Old Homepage

🔍 Overview

This redesign project focused on modernizing the Yale School of Art’s website to match the creativity and prestige of the institution. The existing website was outdated, cluttered, and lacked user-friendly navigation. The new design enhances usability, improves accessibility, and showcases student and faculty work more effectively.

🤔 The Problem

The original Yale School of Art website lacked structure and readability. Key issues included:

❌ The existing website lacked design hierarchy, consistent navigation, and mobile responsiveness.

❌ Users found it difficult to locate information related to admissions, exhibitions, and academic programs.

❌ The layout was cluttered, with poor use of white space and no visual flow.

🎯 My Goal

To redesign the Yale School of Art website with a modern UI/UX approach that highlights student and faculty work, simplifies access to key resources, and delivers a responsive and engaging experience.

Redesigned Homepage (Desktop + Mobile)

📱 Solutions

✅ Reorganized the site’s information architecture to group content into logical, user-friendly sections.
✅ Designed a clean, modern layout that uses a consistent visual hierarchy and intuitive navigation.
✅ Highlighted key CTAs (Apply, Visit, View Gallery) prominently across the homepage.
✅ Integrated a responsive design system for seamless access across devices.
✅ Used dynamic visuals and grid-based content blocks to represent student and faculty work attractively.
✅ Improved accessibility and readability by optimizing color contrast, font sizing, and spacing.

🛠 My UX Process

• Conducted a heuristic evaluation of the existing website

• Benchmarked design school websites like RISD and SAIC

• Defined user personas such as students, faculty, and alumni

• Mapped current user journeys and identified friction points

• Sketched wireframes and built high-fidelity mockups

• Validated design through internal reviews and feedback

👤 User Persona

Name: Emma Clarke
Age: 19
Role: Prospective Undergraduate Student
Goals:

• Learn about available art programs

• Understand admission requirements

• View student artwork and exhibitions

Pain Points:

• Website is visually overwhelming

• Cannot find admissions link quickly

• No mobile-friendly experience

🎨 Final Design Highlights

• Hero Banner featuring current exhibitions

• Modular department sections (Painting, Sculpture, Photography, etc.)

• Interactive gallery of student and faculty work

• Sticky header with smart navigation

• Admissions resources and events panel designed for clarity

📈 Outcomes (Prototype-ready)

The redesigned Yale School of Art website is visually compelling and easy to use. Visitors can explore art programs, view exhibitions, and find important information without confusion. The site’s overall accessibility and performance have been enhanced for both desktop and mobile users.

🧰 Tools Used

Figma — UI Design & Prototyping
Notion — UX Documentation
Whimsical — User Flows & Sitemap

🚀 Final Thoughts

This redesign allowed me to rethink how an art school can present its vibrant culture through digital experiences. Balancing aesthetics with usability was key, and the result is a platform that communicates creativity, clarity, and credibility.
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