Among the website’s improvements are its ability to prominently feature the research that goes on in the department via a dynamic and attractive front page, a content management system that allows for flexibility to continue refining the site based on feedback, a responsive design (allowing for an optimal viewing experience from mobile phones to computer monitors) and a search function, which the department has never had, providing the world easier access to BE.

The team involved in creating this project interviewed members of the faculty, student body, and staff to target their needs and wants. This information, coupled with Google Analytics data on what people were doing while on the previous website, allowed the team to develop the website’s mission and site map which were constantly scrutinized, evaluated, and improved.

Along the way, the development team selected design firm Opus Design of Boston MA (opusdesign.us) after a rigorous proposal and interview process. Opus Design--already with a strong portfolio of MIT work including the MIT School of Engineering’s website --took great care to understand the truly unique nature of BE by taking meetings with Prof. Doug Lauffenburger.

The development team, assembled by Dan Darling in June of 2013, included staff members Jaime Goldstein (elected team leader), Cathy Greene, Aran Parillo, Mira Parsons, Alexis Runstadler and faculty advisor Prof. Ernest Fraenkel. Graduate students Marcus Parrish and Zach Barry participated on the team as Journalism Fellows overseen by Jaime Goldstein of the BE Communication Lab. Kris Brewer, webmaster for the School of Engineering, was a valuable ad hoc member of the team. Kris was instrumental in translating the designs of Opus into web reality through skilled use and manipulation of the website content management system used by the SoE called MIT Drupal Cloud. Additional support to the team, primarily around the migration of content from the old site to the new, was provided by Corey Reeves.

The creation of this website is a milestone for the development team and the department. However, for a website to succeed it needs to actively reflect the department, be current, and remain receptive to the needs of the users. This is where you come in; feedback on the website, now and into the future, will always be welcome.