I recently recruited for a content designer to join our team. We saw common themes in the applications that didn’t make the cut and in those that we did shortlist. I want to share this feedback for candidates who didn’t get shortlisted for interview, and to provide advice for future applicants.

In 2023 we collaborated on a project with the Widening Participation team to rework their web content aimed at prospective undergraduate students. Our approach made sure we had a shared focus, we collaborated effectively with subject matter experts, and we appraised our work as we progressed.

We tested a new approach to webpage content layout on University webpages with prospective students, comparing it to the existing style. While we didn’t see significant improvements in effectiveness and efficiency of user performance in the tasks set, all participants strongly preferred the new proposed design when questioned at the end of the usability test. […]

In summer 2022, we used a 5-second test to understand what caught a person’s attention and what they could remember after looking at a piece of content for a short time. In this post, I reflect on the lessons my team and I learned conducting this research as part of the fees payment project.

We’ve been using an analytics and feedback tool, Hotjar, on our beta pages of the new undergraduate degree profiles. The insight mirrors what we saw in earlier usability testing, so we’re implementing design changes to address issues.

On 13 December 2023, we hosted an update event on the progress our team has made in designing the new postgraduate taught page template for the new degree finder. This post gives a summary of the event, with access to the event slides and recording.

We’re recruiting a content designer to join us in improving the prospective student experience at the University of Edinburgh. Applications close Monday 15 January 2024.

Earlier this year, we collaborated with admissions colleagues to design a new presentation for entry requirements in the undergraduate degree finder. In this post, I share the different iterations we designed and how testing with students informed our design decisions.

Last year we worked with Finance to redevelop their registration form for the payment of tuition fees. As part of that work, we had to find the routes to the form and update the corresponding web content.

We have a fixed-term opportunity to join our team and develop your skills in content design. This position would suit someone with a couple of years’ relevant experience. Applications deadline: 22 May 2023.