Overview

As part of my graduate thesis in Interactive Design at Northeastern University, I created Get Secure, a research-driven cybersecurity awareness website aimed at helping students, faculty, and staff better protect themselves online. The project addressed a growing need for approachable, accessible, and visually engaging digital security resources within the higher education environment.

Note: The original Get Secure website was removed during an institutional redesign. Screenshots and live pages are no longer available, but design documentation, wireframes, and research artifacts remain archived.

My Role

• Lead UX Researcher, UI Designer, and Project Owner
• Conducted user research, content strategy, wireframing, prototyping, accessibility compliance, usability testing, and final design delivery.

The Challenge

Higher education institutions are increasingly targeted by cybersecurity threats, yet digital security content is often inaccessible or overwhelming for non-technical audiences. At Northeastern, existing security resources (like the SecureNU site) suffered from poor information architecture, dense content presentation, outdated visuals, and low engagement. My challenge was to create a new platform that translated complex security practices into clear, digestible guidance for everyday users.

Process

1. User Research & Discovery

   • Conducted surveys and interviews with Northeastern students, faculty, and staff to understand security behaviors and content comprehension gaps.
   • Collaborated with Information Security subject-matter experts to identify the most critical topics to include.
   • Analyzed research to develop user personas and behavioral patterns.

2. 

   Content Strategy & Information Architecture

   • Identified key user tasks and pain points (e.g., recognizing phishing attempts, securing personal devices, enabling 2FA).
   • Created a content framework using progressive disclosure to guide users from high-level tips to deeper educational content.
   • Developed a content tone focused on plain language, visual storytelling, and clarity.

3. Design & Prototyping

   • Created wireframes (see examples below) and high-fidelity mockups using Adobe XD and Figma, with mobile-first responsive layouts.
   • Designed engaging infographic-style visuals and knowledge-checker interactive elements to promote user learning.
   • Integrated imagery from Northeastern’s official communications archive to establish visual trust and institutional alignment.

4. Accessibility & Inclusive Design

   • Applied WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards including clear contrast, semantic HTML structure, and keyboard/screen reader support.
   • Designed interactive elements to reduce cognitive load and ensure usability across abilities and tech literacy levels.

5. Usability Testing & Iteration

   • Conducted two rounds of user testing with students, faculty, and staff.
   • Iterated on interface, navigation structure, and micro-interactions based on direct user feedback.
   • Worked closely with content writers and developers to ensure consistency and technical feasibility.

Outcome

• Delivered an engaging, accessible, and user-friendly cybersecurity resource tailored specifically to the university community.
• Recognized by faculty as a top thesis submission of the year in Northeastern’s Digital Media program.
• Helped fill a critical gap in higher-ed digital safety education and modeled a replicable UX process for similar institutional initiatives.
• While the site is no longer live, design assets, research documentation, and prototypes remain archived and available upon request.

Key Takeaways

• Plain language and inclusive design can make cybersecurity approachable for all users.
• Deep stakeholder collaboration and real-world user testing drive meaningful design outcomes.
• Even in academic settings, UX methodology can create scalable, impactful, and sustainable digital solutions.