Coloring inside and outside the lines: Balancing best practices and creativity in higher ed web design

When it comes to UX/UI, do you ever feel like you're stuck on autopilot? Or worse, like your team's beautiful design ideas are trapped by the limitations of a CMS support model? Designing websites for higher ed often means walking the tightrope between creativity and consistency. Web teams are tasked with following established design standards —such as accessibility, usability and mobile optimization — while also finding room for innovation and fresh ideas.

This session will show you how to color inside the lines by adhering to essential best practices while also coloring outside the lines to explore new sources of inspiration beyond your CMS. We'll discuss strategies for discovering creative ideas from unexpected places, whether it's drawing from other websites, non-traditional platforms or emerging design trends. Along the way, we'll offer practical guidance for helping teams — even those you may not directly manage — embrace both creativity and structure. Whether you're responsible for a full site or simply guiding others, you'll leave with actionable strategies for fostering a balance between following design standards and inspiring bold new approaches to web design.