The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability
Harvard University
UI/UX Design
Visual Design
2023
“…. pursuing practical, real-world solutions that address all aspects of the climate crisis.”
Project Overview
The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard is dedicated to developing and promoting durable, effective, and equitable solutions to the climate change challenges facing humanity. Serving as a fulcrum for collaboration across Harvard’s diverse areas of expertise, the institute pursues practical, real-world solutions to address the climate crisis. Engaging directly with governments, businesses, NGOs, and communities, the institute aims to collaboratively implement these solutions.
Challenge
Our goal was to design a central hub for Harvard’s climate and sustainability work. By studying and interviewing diverse user personas—students, researchers, alumni, professors, professionals, and enthusiasts—we conducted thorough UX research and developed an information architecture that would provide the best user experience.
Approach
We began by designing a blueprint for the website, prioritizing a logical navigation flow to help diverse users easily find content. Understanding the vast amount of information available, we structured the site to ensure clarity and ease of use.
To further support this goal, we developed a modular sitemap that accommodated The Salata Institute’s evolving projects. This approach allowed for phased development, ensuring the website could grow over time. By maintaining a consistent UX we created a flexible foundation that adapts to new content and features as they are introduced.
Solution
The new website blends Harvard’s classic style with modern design for a clean, engaging experience. A scalable framework and modular components ensure adaptability, while a universal filter page and Phase 2 expansion enhance access to faculty, opportunities, and research for a broader audience.
Contributing to this vision, I played a key role in shaping the blueprint and wireframes, transforming research insights into a solid foundation. Beyond structure, I crafted a cohesive UI style system—selecting fonts, refining a clean and elegant aesthetic, and ensuring clarity in design. My focus was on creating a scalable, reusable UI that seamlessly adapted across various mediums and portal needs.
