ArtEZ selects Digital Natives as their digital partner
ArtEZ University of the Arts, one of the leading art schools in the Netherlands, has selected Digital Natives as a partner for the development of a new website. With locations in Arnhem, Enschede, and Zwolle, ArtEZ offers a wide range of programs in visual arts, music, fashion, theater, dance, and art education.
The choice for Digital Natives stems from an intensive discovery process. In close collaboration with ArtEZ, we gathered insights from over 300 students, teachers, and staff. Through questionnaires, interviews, workshops, and customer journeys, we mapped out needs, bottlenecks, and opportunities. The outcomes formed an important building block for the strategic report – and the briefing for the new site.
The next step: building a future-proof website
Based on these insights, we have started the design and construction of a new website that aligns with ArtEZ's ambitions. The website is currently still in development and will be further elaborated in close collaboration with ArtEZ in the coming period. Once the new site goes live, it will replace the current artez.nl.
The challenge: a future-oriented website for ArtEZ
In developing the new website for ArtEZ, we face several complex challenges. One of the main questions is how to guide visitors – especially prospective students – quickly and effectively through the broad and diverse range of programs. From short courses to full master's programs: the offerings are flexible and versatile, and must be presented in a clear and accessible manner.
Additionally, there is the challenge of making an impact in a short time frame. The student journey must be central, with special attention to Generation Z: a target group that reads little but is visually oriented and wants to quickly find what they are looking for. How do you effectively guide this generation without overwhelming them with information?
The vision: guiding, inspiring, and convincing
With the new website, we aim to do more than just inform. The new version of artez.nl should inspire visitors, convince them, and intuitively guide them to what they are looking for. The site should demonstrate how art education and leading artistic research reinforce each other and have a visible impact—not only within the arts but also in society.
The website provides space for flexible education and is ready for future changes in the offerings. Student work, research, and societal impact are central and are presented in a cohesive experience with visual appeal. Students, teachers, and alumni are given a platform where they can shine from their own initiative and identity. Additionally, the site communicates a sense of unity within a diverse community of people, locations, and programs, and provides context for the role of art in society.
The solution: smart design and smart technology
To realize these ambitions, we are utilizing the user-friendly Craft CMS, where the ArtEZ team can manage information centrally and efficiently, with various roles and rights. We are creating links with existing systems, including the Bynder image bank and the Course Catalogue. This way, we create a central access point to everything ArtEZ has to offer.
The search function based on Elastic Search is smartly designed and indexes not only the entire content of artez.nl but also relevant external platforms of staff and students. This makes the complete ArtEZ ecosystem searchable.
