STA Blog

Kate Shih

Kate Shih

The Carranza Chicano Archive Website

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The Carranza Chicano Archive Website

Client: Jonathan Cortez, the Carranzas

Task: Create a website/branding to introduce The Carranza Chicano Archive.

Status: In progress, implementing

Logo Design

Clean, Iconography of the Chicana/o movement inspired

A moodboard

Initial designs

Abstract Banner

Create a repeatable abstract motif/banner graphic for the site. Indigenous iconography (Aztec & Mayan).

Possible Site Mock-Ups

Several options of implementations of the above assets.

Incorporating a Cultural Symbol

The client wanted to include a Hunab-Ku somewhere on the homepage, so I tried several different variations and placements.

We ended up choosing to going with it being in the hero section, with a transparent background.

Winter Break 2025

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Winter Break 2025

This break was mainly a chance for me to rest after the craziness that was last semester. That said, during the first week, I worked for LAITS a little bit and also worked on my portfolio :’). For fun, I caught up with old friends from high school, went on a cruise to the Caribbean with my family, and watched a ton of Star Wars!

STA Alumni Network

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STA Alumni Network Website

Client: LAITS

Task: Design a website that contains information about the STA Alumni Network.

Status: In progress

Understanding the Situation

Figuring out the core needs and goals.

Comparing what we currently have with what we need:

Figuring out information architecture:

Research

Gather insights that will inform the design.

I took a look at other alumni websites for a baseline/inspiration:

From there, I compiled the content that we would need to have:

Design & Prototype

Brainstorm and narrow down the visual + functional components.

I sketched out possible layouts for the different screens:

Then I made some low-fidelity prototypes:

Implement

Transfer the designs over to WordPress.

Live site: https://utw11313.utweb.utexas.edu/

The ChiLDS Lab

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The ChiLDS Lab Site Redesign

Client: Maria Arredondo, The ChiLDS Lab

Task: Complete a site redesign for The ChiLDS Lab. The client wanted to keep most of the content, but wanted a refreshed and “cuter” design overall.

Status: In progress, low fidelity mock-ups created

The Old Site

What we’re working with.

Logo Redesign

An updated look.

A moodboard

Initial designs

Abstract Banner

For separating content.

Possible Site Mock-Ups

Several options of implementations of the above assets.

Client Feedback

Receiving edits and revising.

The client ended up choosing the “lego block” logo design, with some minor edits. After revising to meet her requests, the logo ended up looking like this:

Low-Fidelity Mock-Ups

A more complete plan for the layouts.

UT in Context Website Redesign

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UT in Context Website Redesign: Sweatt v. Painter

UT In Context requested a redesign of their existing website (https://utincontext.la.utexas.edu/). By the time the project was handed to me, the site had already been modernized. What the client wanted me to do was to create pages that showcased their physical Sweatt v. Painter gallery in a digital manner.

The site originally looked like this:

I liked the idea of having a separate page for each wall; however, I felt that the navigation buttons laid out in the cardinal directions was a bit clunky. My main goals going forward were to make navigation intuitive and to lay out all the information in a visually appealing and non-overwhelming way.

My next step was to mock up the pages on Figma:

Interact with the mockup here!

I then created a map to help guide visitors to the physical location:

Project status: Waiting for feedback