When Allison Barker started her new position as Communications Specialist for the Engineering Division, one of her first projects was updating the decade-old Engineering website. The site had become outdated and difficult to use, as it was not optimized for mobile or tablet viewing, making it harder for audiences to access information about the Division.
Michael Barry, Deputy Director of the Engineering Division, who assigned the project to Allison, recognized that the division needed a more modern and intuitive website to better represent its mission both internally and externally. As one of the few cross-functional divisions at Berkeley Lab, Engineering needed a site that could clearly communicate its role across the Lab while also presenting a compelling story to external audiences.
Allison met with Creative Services Office senior designer Meghan Zodrow, BLDS/Web Design team lead,to discuss creating a new website using the Berkeley Lab Design System (BLDS). BLDS provides a unified framework for building websites that create a consistent and cohesive experience across the Lab. By using a shared color palette, typography, and branding elements aligned with Berkeley Lab and DOE requirements, BLDS ensures that all sites maintain a recognizable look and feel.
Built with modular native web components, BLDS makes it easy for teams to create pages tailored to their content while maintaining consistent navigation and structure across sites. This approach forms a holistic ecosystem where divisions and groups can curate their own subject-matter content while still presenting it under a cohesive design and brand umbrella. At the same time, BLDS remains flexible, allowing sites to adapt to different needs rather than relying on a single rigid template.
The website redesign was a collaborative effort that integrated structural design and visual aesthetics lead by Meghan with comprehensive content development spearheaded by Allison. By utilizing the BLDS system, the new website features a more intuitive site architecture and reorganized navigation, ensuring that key information, leadership, and important contacts are clearly listed and easily accessible for both internal and external audiences. Imagery was carefully selected to reflect Engineering’s mission professionally while also creating a sense of excitement about the work which is an important element for recruiting new talent. Allison also added to the News section where people can find the latest articles from the Engineering Division.
The site officially launched in mid-February, and the Engineering Division is already benefiting from having a more modern and professional digital presence. The site is visually aligned with the Division’s social media channels, creating a more cohesive look and feel and positioning the Division well for future growth and outreach.
The newly redesigned site helps the Engineering Division showcase who they are, what they do, and how they contribute to the Lab’s scientific mission. For prospective recruits, the site provides a clear introduction to Engineering’s mission, expertise, and areas of specialization. The site also now serves as a resource for internal collaborators and external partners who want to better understand the Division’s capabilities and the people behind its work. By modernizing the site, the Engineering Division can now present a clearer and more accessible picture of its impact and expertise to its stakeholders.
“The new BLDS site is a major improvement for the division,” said Michael Barry, Deputy Director of the Engineering Division. “It presents our work in a much clearer and more engaging way, making it easier for both collaborators and prospective recruits to understand what Engineering does and how we contribute to Berkeley Lab’s mission.”
in the bottom right or navigate to