Refresh University of Waterloo Common Look and Feel

Background information

Discussions in the committee lead to the recommendations that we:

• engage our graphic design specialists to develop recommendations on improvements to the visual appeal of our Common Look and Feel (CLF); a recent example would be the International site, designed by Graphics and CPA.
• provide a clearer definition of what the CLF is and how developers can work with it;
• include navigation specifications in the CLF to improve on the consistency of the navigation experience across campus.

Observation: "I have just been to the committee page and followed the link to the International page. Wowsa, that is a much livelier, inviting design from the current CLF implementations I see on campus. Not totally sure I like the dark grey expanses but it is definitely more interesting and more pleasing to look at. It shows that there are many ways we could dress up the looks without getting drastic.

Statistics collected for the Math web sites show resolutions to be:

Math has never subscribed to the fixed width view, allowing the width to float. The few fixed width pages that are on math websites have been designed for typical 1024x768 resolutions.

Note that our current web design has common symbols (University of Waterloo crest, font) but the university does not have an agreed-upon "brand" as expressed in a statement or platform. What do we want to express about the University of Waterloo in our communications? It is hoped that the new VP External Relations will address this need and define campus communications branding as a whole, which will include web communications.

Refreshing the definition of the CLF

The University of Waterloo Common Look and Feel was introduced in 2004 as a "minimum" standard for campus Web sites. While some aspects of the "look" were mandated, developers were given considerable freedom in the implementation of their sites. In practice, sites simply based their sites on the provided template and CSS.

Very few sites have enhanced this "look" for a variety of reasons. The templates and CSS have essentially remained the same for the last 3 years. The current CLF was designed for an 800x600 screen which currently represent

Enhancing the visual appeal requires specialized graphics design skills and documentation on the CLF lacked a clear definition of what was permitted. Comments from our clients indicate that the look is becoming stale and dated.

Members of the committee suggest that we:

• provide a clearer definition of what the CLF is and how developers can work with it;
• include navigation specifications in the CLF to improve on the consistency of the navigation experience across campus;
• investigate best practices of university web design, much of which is coming from the U.S. at the moment ( Check out www.edustyle.net for some current examples ).
• engage our graphic design specialists to develop recommendations on improvements to the visual appeal of our CLF; a recent example would be the International site, designed by Graphics and CPA.
• update the CLF to reflect changes in Web displays; higher resolution screens for notebooks and desktop devices and lower resolution screens for mobile devices.

CLF definition sub-group

Chaired by Pat Lafranier, members include Isaac Morland, Andrew Smith, Guillermo Fuentes and the Webops Team. Contact Pat if you would like to participate.

Goal is to identify areas in which the CLF is unclear and provide a set of recommendations for areas that should be covered by the CLF.

Meetings: October 11, 2007; October 24, 2007; November 15, 2007; December 7, 2007; January 23, 2008; February 5, 2008; February 14, 2008

See the final report  WAC CLF Report and a summary of their report recommendations.

CLF navigational issues sub-group

Chaired by Terry Stewart, members include: Sarah Forgrave, Mary Lynn Benninger, Isaac Morland, Jason Greatrex. Contact Terry if you would like to participate.

Goal is to:

1. review the navigation description in the current CLF documentation
2. identify areas in which the description needs to be enhanced
3. develop a set of recommendations for enhancements in the CLF navigation

See CLF Navigation committee notes and final report and a summary of their navigation recommendations.