Morgen Ruff | MAGWD Capstone | Fall 2025 | Progress Platform

Prototype Edits, Color & Typography Refinement (approx. 75% complete)

After client discussion, I devised a new color palette for the project, and added a display typeface for headings, dividers, titles. I also added a couple of new elements to the existing prototype pages. My plan for the rest of this week is to finish the remaining ~4-5 pages of desktop(2-3 hours), prototype a mobile design (mirroring desktop pages, 1-2 hours), write capstone texts (1-2 hours), and finish programming my capstone site (2-3 hours), prior to 80% submission on Sunday, Nov. 2. Current state of the prototype here:

Additional Components & Pages Added to Prototype, plus some edits (approx. 75% complete)

Just today, Sunday October 19, I finally got some feedback from the client, so now I have a whole list of things I'd like to refactor. Color palette changes, content reshuffling, some layout stuff, a few added pages, add some more interesting typography and illustration floursihes (had already planned this), etc. Will be working on incorporating those changes plus those from this past week's peer feedback this coming week (Oct. 20–26). More to work on!

Additional Components & Pages Added to Prototype (approx. 60% complete)

I think my prototype is in an OK place at the moment, it could be more fleshed out for sure, but I have also been taking it somewhat easy the last week due to some vague burnout feelings between work and school. Just needed to re-orient a little bit. I’m also waiting to hear back from the client on initial work, but should have that conversation soon and be able to move forward a bit more swiftly.

In the next two weeks (by Oct. 19), I plan to have a Figma version of the site complete. This will be page templates, so not every single page will be designed, but rather reusable designs that can recur across the site, approximately 10 in total. I also plan to have user feedback shored up in the same timeline. These two things will be working in tandem with each other — feedback and revision.

Following this intensive prototyping period, in week 9 (starting Oct. 20), I’ll begin site development in earnest. There is one moving part to work out prior to this: gaining full access to WGM’s web hosting in order to being building in a staging environment. This handled by a third-party development company (I have a good working relationship with them, so not worried, just need to go through it). I plan to attend to that this coming week.

Otherwise I’m feeling good about the progress I’ve made so far, but know I have quite a bit of work ahead of me these next 4-5 weeks and into the final stretch of the semester.

Revised project deliverables list:

• Figma desktop hi-fidelity prototypes for core page designs with notes on how these templates will be repeated across the real website
• Brand elements: small spot illustrations (coming in a few weeks); color (close to finished); typography (close to finished); web components; print elements (e.g. letterhead)
• Site development: minimum viable product in a Wordpress staging environment on WP Engine

Revised weekly schedule:

• Week 7 (Oct. 6-12): continue prototype template building, including features like user authorization (log in), embedded modules (e.g. calendar) + capstone page scaffolding
• Week 8 (Oct. 13-19): finalize external feedback, synthesize findings & further develop revision plan + package prototype for presentation + capstone page revisions
• Week 9 (Oct. 20-26): initial project development work - site scaffolding, plugin installs, set up business-critical integrations + brand spot illustrations initial work
• Week 10 (Oct. 27-Nov. 2): continue project revisions + continued development - page-level development
• Week 11 (Nov. 3-9): continued development - further page-level development + packaging for final presentation
• Week 12 (Nov. 10-16): continued development + work on brand print elements
• Week 13 (Nov. 17-23): presentation preparation + continued development
• Week 14 (Nov. 24-30): case study site final touches + presentation preparation
• Week 15 (Dec. 1-7): presentation + reflection
• Post-Capstone: final development work, core user testing on staging site, feedback-driven revision process, stress testing, site launch, ongoing site maintenance

Self-Assessment Questionnaire - Capstone Progress

• Topic, resources, means of creation, and proposed components for messaging will be discussed and examined for a level of rigor appropriate for completion of the master's degree. Overall, I think I’ve demonstrated a strong grasp and deep working knowledge of the tools and technologies of web design through my capstone project. By working with a real client for the capstone project, not only am I showing my skills developed through the program on a design and technical level, but I’m also getting that real-world experience that I can carry through to my professional work in the field.
• The project will be program-encompassing and representative of the Master of Arts in Graphic and Web Design. In addition to demonstrating a master's level of sophistication in topic and approach, the Capstone project will appropriately synthesize skillsets that comprise the degree, showcasing design theory and interactivity applied through learned techniques and technologies. My capstone will deploy nearly all of the core skills acquired in the MAGWD program: graphic design, typography, color theory, web design, web programming/development, interaction, user experience, and motion design (maybe). I think I’m significantly stronger in all of these areas than when I entered the program, and can consider myself of at least a professional level in all areas.
• Research and collected data must be accurate and verifiable, with sources listed and accessible. In addition to providing citation within the work itself, research assets will be accessible through an ongoing online archive (G Drive folder, Google Doc, Progress Platform of choice). At this point, I could use to add quite a bit more research to my capstone project, and will plan to do so in the next few weeks. In particular I’d like to add more sources dealing with web accessibility, new functionality in CSS, along with much more about the Wordpress ecosystem in which I’m working. I think what I have so far is good, but could definitely be added to and made more complex & useful.
• Consistent documentation of process to further articulate intentions of what you're making. Process is as important as the final product-- sometimes more so. The primary methods of sharing process will be through regular (at least once a week) updates of your chosen Process Platform, the Discussion Board, and weekly meetings. Have been updating my progress platform as we move through the course, not only with slides illustrating progress, but also wireframes/prototypes. I also participate in class and on the discussion board as much as possible!
• In addition to other exhibition offerings and presentations, the final project, along with its process, will be accessible and discoverable for viewing as an online gallery. The Capstone Page will be hosted outside of MCAD's server, as that resource is inaccessible post-graduation. Students will code their own Capstone Page as a case study summary of their work. Definitely getting ready for this, the fact that I’m already hosting my progress platform as a hand-coded website on GitHub Pages means I’ll well-equipped to do this for the project documentation writ large.
• The project should allow for community engagement and partnership. Your Capstone work will not exist in a vacuum. Through networking and external consultation, students are expected to leverage the project with audiences outside of class as a means to further social outreach for their topic and professional goals. I’ve partnered with the Weavers Guild of MN on the project, and the final deliverable is a finished, live site refresh for the organization. I’m engaging with board members, staff, and other interested parties as I go, gathering critical feedback and ideas. It’s been a collaborative process throughout, and will continue to be through site launch at the end of capstone.

Homepage Mockup + Branding Direction (WIP)

Lo-Fi Wireframes (Desktop)

Initial Color & Typography (Work-in-Progress)