Designing Jackson State University’s Homecoming website felt like stepping into a whirlwind of culture, tradition, and straight-up hype, in the best way possible. If you’ve ever been on Jackson State University’s campus during Homecoming week, you already know it’s not just an event… It’s an experience. WIth the Jackson State University Communications team providing the foundational design elements, my job was to translate that into a website.
No pressure, right?
But honestly, projects like this are my favorite. They allowed me to blend creativity with strategy and bring a lot of energy to the screen. Here’s a look at how it all came together.
Step 1: Research
Tapping Into the Homecoming Vibe
I looked into:
- The history and traditions
- Past themes
- The rhythm of the week — events, performances, alumni gatherings, tailgates
- What people actually look for when planning their Homecoming experience
I wanted this site to feel like stepping onto the Yard: familiar, exciting, and full of movement. The kind of space where you immediately feel a sense of connection.
I asked myself:
How can someone get everything they need without feeling lost or overwhelmed?
I laid out the basics:
- A hype-filled, theme-specific hero section for each page
- A super easy-to-navigate main menu and event schedule
- Performer and notable guest highlights
- Key info for visitors and alumni
- A place to relive the magic through galleries and recaps
Step 4: Design
Turning the Vision Into Reality
This is where things really came alive.
- Color
Rich JSU blue with accents that bring the energy without overwhelming the brand. - Typography
Strong, modern typefaces — the kind that feel like Homecoming announcements booming over speakers. - Imagery
High-impact photos that showcase students, alumni, the band, and campus pride. - Motion
Just enough movement to keep things exciting without slowing anything down.
The goal was simple:
Make the site feel like the week itself..Full of anticipation and celebration.
Step 5: Development
Bringing It All to Life
With designs approved, I moved into development using WordPress with custom styling and some light custom code.
I focused on:
- Smooth animations
- Fast load times
- A backend setup the JSU team could easily update
- Responsiveness across devices
Special features I’m really proud of:
- Performer & Guest Spotlights
- Subtle Animations
- Community-Centered Sections
Working with the JSU Communications Team
The JSU communications team was an incredible collaborator. They know their audience, they know their culture, and they gave feedback that made the project even stronger. They also provided custom photography, graphic design, and fonts to make this thing rock the house (JSU Alumni understand this one)!
The challenges:
- Finding the balance between new and traditional
- Organizing a LOT of content
- Bringing in motion without slowing the site down
The Final Outcome
Once everything was wrapped, we ended up with a Homecoming website that’s:
- Energetic
- Easy to navigate
- Visually bold
- Spirit-filled and community-centered
- Built to elevate the entire Homecoming experience
This project involved designing a moment that people eagerly await all year. And being trusted to help bring that to life? Truly an honor. Click here to check out the full website.
