Research, energy, and inclusivity: the design story behind the new Student Sport website

When you arrive in Leeuwarden as a new student, everything starts afresh. New city, new people, new routines. Especially in those first few weeks, you want to be able to walk into a place where you feel welcome.

At Leeuwarden Student City, we believe that student life is about more than just studying. It's about connecting, discovering who you are, making new friends, and feeling at home in the city. Sport plays an important role in this.

That's why Leeuwarden Student Sport is so much more than just a place to exercise. It's a community. A place where students come together, grow, laugh, and support each other.

From sports member to designer

Mo Saeidirad is 25 years old, originally from Iran, and studies Communication and Multimedia Design at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences. When he moved to Leeuwarden, he decided to become a member of Leeuwarden Student Sport in his first week.

What started as a way to stay active quickly became more. He found friends, structure, and confidence there. Eventually, he even became a badminton coach.

‘Student Sport felt like family to me,’ he says. ‘Everyone is friendly, open, and supportive. I wanted to reflect that feeling in the website.’

Designing from real experiences

Mo was allowed to choose a major side project for his studies. For him, the choice was logical: he wanted to do something meaningful for the community where he felt at home. Not only as an athlete, but also as a designer.

When he was allowed to choose a side project for his studies, the choice was easy. ‘Because I was already part of Student Sport and connected to the community, I decided to work on improving the Student Sport website,’ he says. His goal: to design a platform that truly meets the needs of students.

But instead of jumping straight into the design process, he started by listening.

He interviewed students, observed how they used the website, and tested different versions. What he discovered was recognisable: students join to have fun, stay active, and meet new people. Do they know what is possible? Do they dare to try a new sport on their own?

That uncertainty became the starting point for his design.

A website that lowers barriers

Mo decided that the website should not only be informative, but above all, inviting. Not competitive or intimidating, but warm, energetic, and accessible.

He translated that into:

• Clear and simple navigation
• Real photos of students in action
• Focus on the community, not just the sports
• Subtle animations that radiate movement and energy
• A fully mobile-friendly design

‘Students mainly use their phones. If it doesn't work well there, you lose them immediately,’ he explains. But perhaps even more importantly, the website had to convey what Student Sport is all about. A place where you can come as you are. Where you meet new people. Where you don't have to perform, but are allowed to discover.

The biggest challenge

One question was central during the design process: how do we ensure that students actually take that first step? Encouraging a free trial lesson proved to be a challenge. Mo tested different structures, buttons, and routes through the website. He improved, tested again, and continued to develop.

He worked on the project, his biggest now, for six months.

‘I am proud that every choice was based on research,’ he says. ‘Not on what I liked, but on what students need. And I learned not to give up.’

From design to reality

The concept and UX design formed a solid foundation. We collaborated with Multiminded on the technical realisation and further development. They translated Mo's well-thought-out design into a fast, stable, and future-proof website. The collaboration between student, community and professional web developer resulted in a platform that not only looks good, but also really works.

By students, for students

With this project, Mo perfectly demonstrates what we stand for as Leeuwarden Student City and Leeuwarden Student Sport: working together to build a strong, inclusive, and energetic student community.

By actively involving students in our initiatives, we ensure that our projects truly meet their needs. The revamped Leeuwarden Student Sport website is a wonderful example of this, designed by a student, for students.

Thank you, Mo Saeidirad, for working together on this project.