Category:
Web Design
Client:
PDBY News
Duration:
4 weeks
I had the privilege of designing refreshed page layouts and a proposed digital interface for PDBY, the University of Pretoria's legendary student publication. It was an exciting creative challenge, even if my designs haven’t gone live yet. I’m still proud to include this in my portfolio as a showcase of strategic, student-focused design.
(MY APPROACAH)
My approach combined structure and creativity. I dove into PDBY’s existing content flow and audience needs, then crafted wireframes that balanced editorial clarity with visual flair. Each layout aimed to simplify navigation while highlighting the publication’s dynamic personality and campus culture.
(VISION & INNOVATION)
The vision was bold yet approachable. A modern refresh that still felt rooted in PDBY’s rich student legacy. I tailored each component to feel youthful, purposeful, and flexible, ensuring the design could adapt for print and digital use.
(CHALLENGES)
Designing for a student publication means accounting for tight timelines, evolving content, and multiple distribution formats. I researched user behavior, campus feedback, and the publication’s editorial workflow. The challenge was to build a design system that supported speed without compromising style.
(PROBLEMS)
One issue was that articles and images often competed for attention, making it hard to follow. I resolved this by creating a clean hierarchy; clear headlines, visual breathing room, and intuitive navigation. I also introduced adaptable modules that editors could update easily, so the layout feels fresh without extra support.
(USER-CENTRIC DESIGN)
I designed each template to offer readers a seamless, engaging experience. Whether they’re flipping through print or scrolling through the digital version. Emphasis was on readability, discovery, and visual interest, designed to keep students immersed and coming back for more.
(USER NEEDS)
The core user was a UP student looking for something interesting, easy to find, and quick to read between classes. My design serves those needs by balancing punchy visuals with structured content and familiar campus branding. The result is a publication layout that feels just right for university life.
