Web Designer at The College of Charleston, Elaine Montambeau started her career as a print graphic designer before moving to the online world.
Reporting to the Dean of the College of Charleston Libraries, Elaine belongs to the Department of Academic Computing. Along with the College’s Webmaster, she takes care of about 20% of the 1000 web pages that composed the web presence of her institution. The site is maintained using HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, Perl, CSS, XML, and JavaScript.
1) What’s your background? What did you do before becoming a higher ed web pro?
My educational and work background is in graphic design, and more specifically information design. I studied design at the University of Michigan.
I previously worked with projects that were produced and distributed in various print mediums. I saw an opportunity to apply my information design experience to the organizational and visual needs that the web presents.
2) What’s your biggest achievement as a higher ed web pro?
One of the biggest draws for me to work for a higher ed institution was the chance to apply my design skills to connect people to information in an educational environment. Beyond the College’s main website, I also had opportunities to inform educators/faculty on how design can help enhance the learning experience by reaching a variety of learning styles.
In 2000 my co-worker, Jannette Finch and I, won Private First place from the North American Web Conference for our web presentation “Beyond Bells and Whistles.” My focus was on the impact well-designed and thought-out tools can have on reaching a wide range of learners. It was a good experience to be able to see the result of applying design to educational needs.
3) What’s the most difficult part of your job?
Keeping up with the various web needs on campus, keeping content up-to date, and staying current with changing technologies.
4) In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge we face as web pros in our industry?
Keeping up with the growing use of the web with a small work force.
5) Any good advice to share with your fellow higher ed web pros?
Hmm… to stay focused on the areas that can have a positive impact and to try and be aware of what the user’s needs are.
6) What about a couple of good links?
My friend, Elaine, was featured over at Karine’s site. Elaine is one of the hottest IA designers working in higher ed or otherwise. She takes a very holistic approach to IA (and she needs to get a blog to share this with the world).
Elaine’s in…