Case Study: The Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy

Transforming content management and user experience for a research institute.

Education and Academia

Craft CMS

Information Architecture

Resource Discoverability

Responsive Design

SEO

Content Management

✨ Key Outcome

The Prentice Institute’s previous website was hard to update and didn’t fully support its mission.

The new standalone site features streamlined navigation, improved resource discoverability, and a flexible CMS. Now, the Institute has a modern, user-friendly website that empowers the team and better serves its audiences.

Side-by-side of old university-branded page and new Prentice Institute homepage with mission copy and team links. — Before (embedded in university site) vs After (standalone, mission-led design).

Sitemap showing top sections: What We Do, Focus Areas, Projects, About, Contact, plus pathways to resources. — New information architecture clarifies paths for researchers, policymakers, and affiliates.

Wireframe with hero copy, CTA buttons, focus areas grid, and news/resources sections in priority order. — Early homepage wireframe aligning content hierarchy with audience tasks.

Live Prentice Institute homepage with blue hero, top navigation, director profiles, and primary CTAs. — Launched homepage with clear navigation, focus areas, and action-oriented CTAs.

Collage of phone screens showing responsive navigation, focus areas, and content cards. — Responsive UI with touch-friendly navigation and readable typography.

Background

The Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy’s website was previously part of the University of Lethbridge’s site, making updates challenging and limiting the Institute’s ability to showcase its work. With around 100 pages to manage, the Institute needed a dedicated platform to highlight its research and serve diverse audiences.

Dr. Lars Hallstrom
Director, Prentice Institute - University of Lethbridge

Goals & Desired Outcomes

Create a modern, professional website that reflects the Institute’s identity.
Make resources easy to find for policymakers, researchers, and affiliates.
Streamline the user experience across all devices.
Empower the team with Craft CMS, a platform built for flexibility and ease of use.
Improve search visibility and enable social sharing.
Ensure ongoing support with managed hosting and regular updates.

Approach & Solution

Identified primary and secondary audiences to guide content, structure, and functionality.
Audited existing content to focus on what matters most.
Developed wireframes and prototypes for client feedback.
Enhanced resource listings with metadata and advanced search.
Integrated Craft CMS for flexible, secure content management.
Provided training and support to ensure the team could update the site with ease.

Results & Impact

Users can now find resources quickly with improved search and organization.
The site is fully responsive, offering a smooth experience on desktop and mobile.
Content updates are fast and easy, saving staff time.
The Institute’s mission and offerings are clearly communicated.
Positive feedback from staff and stakeholders highlights the transformation.