Site Redesign for Queen's University Library

Queen’s University Library (QUL) envisions a digital presence that inspires learning, fosters creativity, and builds community. To modernize its website and enhance user experience, QUL partnered with ImageX to redesign and replatform its site, transitioning from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10. This upgrade was not only a technical necessity but also an opportunity to improve accessibility, user engagement, and service discovery for students and faculty.

The project followed a three-phase approach: Research & Strategy, Design, and Development. In the Research & Strategy phase, ImageX conducted surveys, interviews, and focus groups, audited content, developed a governance framework, and designed a user-centered information architecture validated through tree testing. The Design phase focused on creating an intuitive UX, developing a responsive and accessible UI aligned with Queen’s branding, conducting usability testing, and providing wireframes, mood boards, and UI kits. In the Development & Implementation phase, ImageX built and launched the site on Drupal 10, migrated content from the legacy site, integrated WCAG accessibility standards, and conducted rigorous user acceptance testing. The project resulted in an enhanced user experience with simplified access to resources, improved accessibility through WCAG compliance, a modern and scalable Drupal 10 platform, and a visually transformed interface featuring engaging imagery and interactive content. Additional key enhancements included integrating modern and accessible sliders for quick access to essential information, refining content discovery through interactive card sliders, and ensuring the design reflected a cohesive and modern digital presence.

The collaboration between QUL and ImageX successfully delivered a future-proofed digital library experience, making academic resources more accessible and user-friendly for students and faculty alike. By incorporating extensive user feedback and iterative testing, the new platform ensures a seamless digital journey, ultimately strengthening the library’s role as an essential academic hub.

“We felt that they cared about our success as team members. They brought us the expertise that we needed to complete what was for us a very complex project.” — Sandra Morden, Head of Digital Initiatives, Queen’s University Library.