Project Overview
Uniapp, a dynamic mobile application, reimagines how students navigate university life. A comprehensive tool, it encompasses academic performance tracking, deadlines, cafeteria menus, and personalized reminders. As a UX designer at Uniapp, I managed the design system and played a vital role in enhancing the app's appeal to a broader student audience.
My Role
At Uniapp, I spearheaded the design system and steered the design discovery process for innovative features. One feature, in particular, highlights our strategic approach to addressing the challenge of attracting more users.
The Beginning
With no established research guidelines, I crafted a research plan based on experience, industry insights, and many NNG articles. Guided by the question, "How can we help students?", the plan unfolded across three key phases:
Gathering and Analyzing Qualitative Data
I devised a comprehensive questionnaire distributed to both current users and non-users within university circles. Despite a lower response rate than anticipated, the gathered insights proved invaluable. Subsequent interviews with willing participants provided a deep dive into their daily challenges, revealing a reliance on peer communication for managing academic responsibilities.
Discussing with the Team
Armed with our findings, I conducted a workshop with the team. The central issue identified was the need to enhance communication among students. A robust brainstorming session generated over 50 ideas, leading to the refinement of 10 viable solutions. Through meticulous discussion, we zeroed in on a single feature – a class-based student forum.
Building the Feature
The chosen feature aimed to foster a sense of community and streamline communication. We meticulously mapped out its integration near students' classes, ensuring focused discussions. The development process included flow mapping, wireframing, and high-fidelity design, addressing every conceivable user interaction. To facilitate agile development, we segmented the feature into smaller deliverables, fostering a cycle of continuous feedback and iteration.
Conclusion
While the feature has yet to transition to development at the time of this writing, Uniapp's commitment to innovation and user-centric design positions it for continued success in transforming the student experience. Stay tuned for the exciting next steps in this dynamic project.
