Websites win awards

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Two RIT-designed websites are being honored by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. The RIT Sustainability website and Frans Wildenhain Exhibition website, which were both designed in-house by RIT Production Services, received 2012 W3 Silver Awards.

Two RIT-designed websites are being honored by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. The RIT Sustainability website and Frans Wildenhain Exhibition website, which were both designed in-house by RIT Production Services, received 2012 W³ Silver Awards.

“These awards are a testament to the talented staff we have here at RIT,” says Raman Bhalla, assistant director for Web/IT services. In addition to Bhalla, the Web/IT team includes Megan Bastian, Harry Groover, Gage LaFleur, Elizabeth Lamark, David Pedu and Dan Roder.

The W³ Awards honor creative excellence on the Web and recognize the creative and marketing professionals behind award-winning sites, videos and marketing programs. The International Academy of the Visual Arts is an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from acclaimed media, interactive, advertising and marketing firms. The annual awards, which were bestowed upon 639 websites in the Silver category, are judged based on creativity, usability, navigation, functionality, visual design and ease of use.

The RIT Sustainability website serves as the central hub for sustainability-related information on campus, including events, academic programming and research.

“Since sustainability at RIT is growing and evolving, it was important to develop a site that was versatile, yet structured, ensuring an ease of use for any audience,” says Enid Cardinal, senior sustainability advisor to the president. “The Web/IT team responded to this challenge by incorporating live Twitter and news feeds, interactive features and links to popular topics such as recycling and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability.”

The Frans Wildenhain Exhibition website was designed to feature the fall 2012 exhibition of mid-century modern pottery by Bauhaus-trained ceramist Frans Wildenhain.

“The site had to be designed to attract and hold the diverse interests of an international audience,” says Bruce Austin, professor of communication. “The efforts of the Web/IT team led to a website every bit as innovative, exciting and dynamic as the art on exhibit.”