Job at a glace:
Role: Assistant Web Developer (Previously Marketing & Recruitment Assistant).
Dates: April 2021 – Present
Skills: Web design, copy writing, HTML coding, research, project management.
In April 2021, I returned to the University of Cumbria as a Marketing and Recruitment Assistant within the Digital & Web Team. In this time, I have been integral in the redevelopment of several key areas across the website, leading to a promotion into Web Development to continue improving functionality and styling in new areas.
My responsibilities include…
- Conducting research into web design practices for different subject matters. My research is informed by the needs of the team and service behind each project and forms a fun foundation for understanding wider industry practices.
- Using tools like balsamique to wireframe potential designs. Like creating a digital sketch, this is the stage where I experiment with styling, colour, and begin exploring the words and images on the page.
- Developing new areas via Terminal Four, exploring functionality and design options within the perimeters of the platform. Here, I work closely with our web developer to explore new and easier ways to manage content in the backend, easing processes for those not so familiar with website management.
- Redeveloping areas of the website to be in line with new university branding. This involves liaising with content officers and teams across the wider university to align goals, design needs, and audience expectations. A major collaborative part of each project, we explore how the university’s general branding can be adapted to suit new campaigns, making their areas standout on the web.
- Monitoring of a web service desk. A dedicated space for staff across the university to request changes to the external website.
- Supporting in the creation of new campaigns on an institute and a university wide basis.
- Training fellow colleagues when new functionality and processes are added to the website. 1:1 training and writing guides.
Returning to the University of Cumbria as a staff member after graduating in 2019 is a surreal experience. However, I am marketing something I can truly get behind – it’s an amazing experience.
Primary Projects:
Locations
My first project at Cumbria, the Location hub highlights the university’s 5 campuses and 2 external sites.
My role: web design and content creation.
International Students
To support the international team is marketing our offering for students coming from overseas, this area was redeveloped to display key information in a new and exciting way.
My role: web design, development, and content creation.
Postgraduate Study
As part of our redevelopment project for course pages, the PG area of the Cumbria website was redeveloped to reflect our new style and PG offering.
My role: web design, project management, and content creation
Conferences Hub
To support the international team is marketing our offering for students coming from overseas, this area was redeveloped to display key information in a new and exciting way.
My role: web design, development, and content creation.
Academic Departments
Working with the content leads, we are slowly redeveloping pages which highlight the different academic institutes at Cumbria. This is a long-term project that will be complete by 2023.
My role: web design and development.
Devon Louise 