Designing the Anteater Awards Website for UC Irvine’s 600+ Campus Organizations
Role
Solo Web Designer
Timeline
1 month
Team
Web Designer
Web Developer
What is the anteater awards?
The Anteater Awards is an annual, awards event designed to recognize the accomplishments of our 600+ Registered Campus Organizations through nominations of achievement.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Creating a dedicated website to improve accessibility and participation
As the UI/UX designer, I partnered with a web developer to build a website for the awards.

Responsibilities:
  • Create the overall theme for the Anteater Awards, targeting Gen Z audiences
  • Designed the wireframe for the site
  • Implement RSVP functionality for campus organizations
  • Develop nomination forms for various award categories
  • Craft a cohesive design that reflects the Anteater Awards theme and aligns with UCI branding
THEME DEVELOPMENT
Creating a Theme to Engage Gen Z Audiences
In brainstorming a theme for the Anteater Awards, I wanted to create a concept that would resonate with our primary audience of Gen Z students. After exploring various ideas, I chose a “New Jeans” theme, inspired by the style and trends popular with Gen Z. This theme brought a fresh, contemporary vibe to the website and aligned with the event’s goal of celebrating achievements in a way that felt relatable and engaging for younger users.
Inspiration from New Jeans
DESIGN ASSETS
Crafting the Visual Identity Using Adobe Illustrator
A key element of the website design involved creating custom graphics inspired by the New Jeans. Using Adobe Illustrator, I drew four mini graphics, which were combined to form the background of the website. These illustrations added visual interest and maintained a cohesive design that represented the celebratory and dynamic nature of the event.

Explorations and Design

TYPOGRAPHY & BRANDING
Incorporating UCI Branding for Consistency
To ensure consistency with the University of California, Irvine's visual identity, I followed UCI branding guidelines for typography and color palette, utilizing official UCI colors throughout the site. For the banner design, I aligned it with the COVP website’s existing aesthetic to ensure a cohesive and seamless brand experience.
UCI Colors
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Organizing and Structuring for Seamless Navigation
To ensure accessibility and ease of use, I focused on a clear, organized layout. The navigation bar included key sections essential to the event experience:
USER INSIGHTS
Insights Collected from User Interviews
To ensure the website met users’ needs, I collected insights from initial user interviews and feedback. Key takeaways included the importance of a clear, simple layout, easy access to nomination forms, and mobile compatibility. I incorporated these insights into the final design to provide an intuitive, user-friendly experience that meets the event’s accessibility goals.

Translating into Solution

RESULTS
Enhancing Participation and Accessibility
The Anteater Awards website launched successfully, resulting in higher event participation and engagement. The centralized platform allowed users to RSVP, submit nominations, and explore event details effortlessly. The cohesive, modern design resonated well with the target audience, and the New Jeans-inspired theme provided a fresh, relatable experience for Gen Z students.