Kettering Mobile

Kettering Mobile increases connectivity to the mobile community as well as makes a statement about the innovation and new-age thinking across the Kettering campus. Some reasons why the mobile web is important for Kettering University:

  • Students comprise the fastest growing smartphone segment
  • In 2008, 87% of all phones had a web browser
  • From 2008 to 2009 mobile websites saw a 700% growth

Initial State

Like many websites, the kettering.edu domain was viewable, but hardly browseable or effective in its marketing message on a mobile device. Built on what would be considered "compliant" web coding, the website was still too heavy, and not optimized for a generation of on-the-go mobile technology users. Kettering Mobile is lighter, faster, and optimized.

Native App vs Web App

Native apps, or apps that are device-specific (iPhone, Driod) are great if they utilize the devices hardware for specialty tasks. However, for things like news, events, and recent media, there should be no limitation to what device you own. Kettering Mobile only requires a web browser- that's it.

Why develop apps for multiple devices when a single webapp can support them all?

With increasing cellular network speeds and wifi support, as well as mobile web browser advancements, the logical approach for many applications is to develop a web-based application, or "WebApp".

Our Approach

This project's goal was to increase connectivity with Kettering University, whether it be with prospective students, current students, alumni, or co-op employers and university partners. Kettering Mobile had to be simple, it had to be direct, and it had to appeal to all these groups.

  • Create an effective and interactive marketing tool
  • Develop a cross-browser compliant application
  • Minimize pageloads without sacrificing content or aesthetic presence

Technologies

  • HTML5
  • CSS3
  • Javascript
  • AJAX
  • PHP

We consider everything from the browser type and usability, to the final delivery and deployment of the product when determining what technologies we should use.

Landing Page

As part of the Kettering Mobile project, we created a full-size webpage to promote the new WebApp. Maintaining clean styling with a simple presentation, non-mobile users can first find out what Kettering Mobile is, and then visit it. Marketing, informing, and driving users to Kettering Mobile is very important to it being a succesful tool for Kettering University.

Take a look:
http://www.kettering.edu/mobile

Email Template

The final major deliverable for Kettering Mobile was a designed email template to act as an auto-response to anyone who entered their email address into the "get more information" box on Kettering Mobile. Neatly styled, and effectively packed with content, this is just another way to connect with Kettering University.

Final State

Kettering Mobile broke barriers for college marketing initatives, utilizing the latest technologies with the finest in usability, aesthetics, and simplicity. The prospective student is the demographic that is most likely to be browsing the web on a mobile device, and with increased mobile SEO, and a simple way to get more information, Kettering University may now be their top pick.

  • The first WebApp for a university in the state of Michigan
  • Compliant with all major mobile web browsers
  • Fast load times and simple navigation scheme

Take a look at Kettering Mobile:
http://m.kettering.edu/