The Grad Show 2023 Website
Client: ANU, School Of Art and Design
Year: 2023
This project was my first dive into HTML and CSS, an exciting chance to bring technical skill and creative expression together. The goal was simple: build an easy to use website with a clean, modern look that showcased the talent of the Australian National University’s graduating class of 2023.
I designed a smooth, intuitive interface so visitors could explore student portfolios with ease. The minimalist layout keeps the focus on the work itself, using carefully chosen typography, colour, and spacing to create a polished and cohesive look that reflects the creativity of the graduates.
To make sure the site reached as many people as possible, I built it with responsive design in mind. Whether on a desktop, tablet, or phone, the site adapts seamlessly, letting employers, friends, and family connect with the students’ work anywhere.
This project sharpened my coding skills and deepened my grasp of user experience and web design. More than that, it created a digital gallery that celebrates the achievements of the graduating class while fostering connection across the ANU community.
Project Brief
Process
The idea for this project started with a focus on simple navigation and a clean aesthetic, putting user experience at the centre from the beginning. To build a solid base, I practiced coding in HTML and CSS, which helped me grasp the technical side of web development while experimenting with layouts and functionality.
Alongside coding, I dug into web design research, studying best practices for user friendly interfaces, the importance of responsive design, and standout portfolio sites for inspiration. This gave me a clear sense of what elements would make the site both functional and visually engaging.
To bring the vision together, I sketched wireframes and flowcharts that mapped out the structure and user journey. These blueprints defined the placement of navigation, galleries, and contact details, making it easy to see how users would move through the site and ensuring navigation felt natural and straightforward.
The project came together as a cohesive, engaging website that showcased the talent of ANU’s graduating class. I chose a palette of orange, yellow, and grey to strike the right balance: orange accents drew the eye to key details, yellow backgrounds added warmth and focus, and neutral grey text kept everything clear and professional.
To tie the site back to the institution, I added a watermark of the ANU School of Art and Design in the footer. This subtle detail reinforced credibility and grounded the site in its academic roots.
The graduate page used a clean gallery layout, making it easy to browse through individual portfolios while highlighting the diversity of the cohort. Simple sans serif fonts carried the modern aesthetic, with light text for readability and bold headings to guide users smoothly through the content.
The end result was a platform that blended style with function, working seamlessly across desktop and mobile. It not only celebrated the graduates’ creativity but also sharpened my skills in both coding and design.
