Why a creative retainer works better than ad-hoc feature requests
Evolve is our take on the traditional retainer. Evolve subscriptions redefine ongoing working relationships with SMILE, all at a no-brainer price-point.
Digital Audits
Helping DELTA Trust replace their network of school websites
The DELTA Academies Trust were looking to replace their current network of over 50 primary and secondary school websites.
Changing the way we design with evolving software
Over the years, the design team at SMILE have used multiple design programmes in a bid to deliver the highest quality output for our clients. When I began at SMILE in 2017, we briefly used Figma for design work but…
Working with UEA on their flagship website
We re-designed the University of East Anglia (UEA) website. This was our biggest design project to date including UI/UX design, and the creation of a design system.
How we helped Falmouth University restructure their homepage and navigation
We embarked upon a project of research and recommendation, to focus on homepage and global navigation suggestions.
How important is your homepage?
Ask yourself this question. How important is your homepage? In the age of search engines, smart search, SEO etc, how many people actually land on your homepage and use it as a way to find out the information they are looking for?
User insight driving design choices
Since 2014 SMILE have been working with the University of Birmingham, a Russell Group institution, on delivering their online event platform.
The Responsive Media Grid
How do you deal with an image (or video) in a shape-changing, responsive container? It's a common problem, and I've designed a system to help tackle it.
What students want from universities in 2017
"Large amounts of useless information", "Not enough important images", "All look the same", "Not entirely honest". These are all quotes from a group of students when asked what university websites are currently like. Students know what they want to see on websites, and what is currently being shown, is not it.
What is moment mapping?
Power is now in the hands of students, making it more pertinent for universities to be on their game with their recruitment. University web properties have multiple audiences. In most cases, the primary purpose is to engage with students and…