California Beauty Academy
AUGUST 2026
UX/UI DESIGN • WEB DESIGN
Solo Freelance Work
California Beauty Academy needed a website that made its programs easier to explore while creating a more modern and credible first impression for prospective students.
Context
The client wanted to modernize the school’s website and improve how students found information about programs, admissions, financial aid, and enrollment.
Problem
The existing site made it difficult for users to access even basic information. A large header occupied nearly half of the screen, pushing important content below the fold.
The content that followed was also unclear and poorly structured.
Oversized header limited visible content
Important information was buried below the fold
Program details were difficult to scan
Page layouts lacked clear hierarchy
Navigation and calls-to-action were inconsistent
Insight: Users had to work too hard just to understand what the school offered and where to go next.
Research and Approach
I audited the existing site and worked with the client to identify the biggest barriers for prospective students.
Three key issues emerged.
1. Limited Visible Content
An oversized header took up nearly half the screen, pushing important information below the fold.
2. Poor Content Hierarchy
Program and admissions information was unclear, dense, and difficult to scan.
3. Inconsistent Structure
Navigation, layouts, typography, and calls-to-action lacked a clear system.
Old Design
Key Insight
The site’s biggest issue wasn’t a lack of information; it was that the layout and hierarchy made important content difficult to find, scan, and understand.
Information Architecture
Problem:
The original site had an inconsistent structure, with important content buried across pages and key actions leading users through unclear or indirect paths.
Solution:
I reorganized the site into clearer page categories and created more direct paths between programs, admissions, contact, and enrollment.
Visual Branding
The original logo felt dated and relied on a low-resolution image that appeared blurry across the site.
The client wanted a simpler, more modern identity that felt welcoming to a broader audience. I redesigned the logo with a cleaner, more versatile look that could work across both digital and print materials.
I chose a clean palette centered around dark blue and white, using lighter blues and #EFEFF6 as supporting tones. The blues were selected to reflect the interior wall colors of the academy, helping the website feel more connected to the physical space and overall brand.
Design Decision
After reviewing the options, the client ultimately chose a minimal text-based logo that aligned with his preference for a straightforward identity. This process highlighted the importance of balancing creative exploration with client goals while still ensuring brand consistency across the website and marketing materials.
Final Design and Solution
The redesigned platform created a clearer and more structured user experience.
Key improvements included:
Simplified navigation structure
A more intuitive registration process
Improved visual hierarchy across all pages
Reduced reliance on direct client support
The redesigned platform is prepared to support 700+ new and returning users annually, providing a more streamlined path from registration to certification completion.