Project Duration

4 Months

Role

UX Designer Generalist. This is an independent project, where I practiced all components of UI/UX Design.

Problem Statement

College students struggle to find a intuitive, visually aesthetic tool that facilitates them staying on track to graduation.

Goals

• Provide users a way to keep track of their degree pathway, clarifying which and how many courses they have to take each semester.

• Allow users to synch with their insitution’s LMS (Learning Management System) or database for access to real-time, accurate academic data.

• Allow users to customize and create their own degree pathway, while also viewing data such as progress, tuition, and deadlines and reminders.

  
  

Context

The inspiration for this tool is rooted through my own experiences as a university student! Each semester is a hassle when I have to plan out my courses for the next semester, and even the subsequent semester if it’s summer. I’ve always wanted a solution to this, an easy tool to plan out my college journey easily and effectively, while also keeping track of my progress.

I also have trouble with deadlines and reminders, forgetting important dates or assignments. Sure, I can use the notes app on my phone but I’d much rather prefer these reminders in an all-in-one-tool. It just makes it easier.

Having to have a plan created by an advisor and not knowing how many credits you have acquired or have left are also notable pain points of mine. My institution's designated progress-tracking tool has been designed ineffectively, which consequently makes it unpopular amongst the student body. Grad Path is the solution to all these grievances!

User Research

For the GradPath product, I conducted small-scale user research through surveys, interviews, and usability testing to gain a deeper understanding of the needs and preferences of potential users. I also created personas and user journey maps. But the first thing I did was draw on my personal experience as college student who struggles to stay on track! This is how the idea came into fruition.

Going into the research, I knew my target users would be college students. I mean -- the entire tool is catered towards them! From the research I conducted, I discovered that a significant portion of college students either struggled with staying on track, or found it tedious and mundane.

Most colleges or universities already have a built-in progress tracking tool from a third party website. However, these tools are outdated in UI and look obsolete. The navigation is also confusing, which is the root cause of many of the pain points college students experience when attempting to use these tools.

So I knew GradPath had to be visually pleasing with a modern, contemporary look that appeals to the younger generation, as well as craft a intuitive, simplistic user flow with streamlined navigation. The aesthetic usability effect had to be implemented, meaning users tend to believe things that are more attractive will work better, or be more usable.

Pain Points

Lack of Clarity and Direction:

Some college students may enter their academic journey without a clear sense of what they want to achieve or the right path to follow.

Time Management Challenges:

Students who struggle to stay on track often find it difficult to manage their time effectively, leading to procrastination, missed deadlines, and suboptimal performance.

Academic Support and Resources:

Students who are unsure about their academic path may not know where to seek guidance or find appropriate resources. This lack of support can hinder their ability to succeed in school.

Motivation and Self-Doubt:

Feeling lost or uncertain about their academic journey can lead to a lack of motivation and self-doubt. Students might question their abilities, lose interest in their studies, or feel overwhelmed by the challenges they face.