NewVrse
NewVrse
NewVrse
Facilitating easy access for students to discover and join both clubs and events.
Facilitating easy access for students to discover and join both clubs and events.
Facilitating easy access for students to discover and join both clubs and events.
PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS
PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS
PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS
Design challenge and overview of responsibilities
Design challenge and overview of responsibilities
Design challenge and overview of responsibilities
Challenge
Challenge
Challenge
At the New School, student engagement in activities, clubs, and events is low due to ineffective communication. Information is scattered across multiple platforms, with static user experiences making it difficult for students to quickly and easily discover relevant information. As a result, students often find out about events after they have already occurred, missing valuable opportunities to meet other students, overall leading to a disconnected community.
At the New School, student engagement in activities, clubs, and events is low due to ineffective communication. Information is scattered across multiple platforms, with static user experiences making it difficult for students to quickly and easily discover relevant information. As a result, students often find out about events after they have already occurred, missing valuable opportunities to meet other students, overall leading to a disconnected community.
At the New School, student engagement in activities, clubs, and events is low due to ineffective communication. Information is scattered across multiple platforms, with static user experiences making it difficult for students to quickly and easily discover relevant information. As a result, students often find out about events after they have already occurred, missing valuable opportunities to meet other students, overall leading to a disconnected community.
My Proposal
My Proposal
My Proposal
I proposed a centralized platform that streamlines communication between students and event hosts and enhances the user experience, ensuring timely and efficient access to school news, events, and club activities for all students.
I proposed a centralized platform that streamlines communication between students and event hosts and enhances the user experience, ensuring timely and efficient access to school news, events, and club activities for all students.
I proposed a centralized platform that streamlines communication between students and event hosts and enhances the user experience, ensuring timely and efficient access to school news, events, and club activities for all students.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
User Research
User Research
User Research
Design Thinking
Design Thinking
Design Thinking
Wireframing
Wireframing
Wireframing
Prototyping
Prototyping
Prototyping
User Testing
User Testing
User Testing
Deliverables
Deliverables
Deliverables
User Personas
User Personas
User Personas
User Flows
User Flows
User Flows
Competitive Audit
Competitive Audit
Competitive Audit
Wireframes
Wireframes
Wireframes
High-Fidelity Prototype
High-Fidelity Prototype
High-Fidelity Prototype
Tools
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figma
Figma
Overview of Case Study
Overview of Case Study
Overview of Case Study
1
1
Empathize
Empathize
Empathize
2
2
Define
Define
Define
3
3
Ideation
Ideation
Ideation
4
Final Design
5
5
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
EMPATHIZE
Conducting User Research
In this first stage of my design process, I empathized with my targeted users so that I could identify and understand the problems and pain points that they were experiencing.
In this first stage of my design process, I empathized with my targeted users so that I could identify and understand the problems and pain points that they were experiencing.
In this first stage of my design process, I empathized with my targeted users so that I could identify and understand the problems and pain points that they were experiencing.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
User Interviews
User Interviews
User Interviews
I conducted primary research through user interviews with my peers. I chose interviewing as my main method of research because I felt that I could receive the most honest and in depth information from my peers if it felt like an open conversation to them. By asking specific questions, I was able to get to know my users more and gain insight to their pain points, their journey, and what they desired.
I conducted primary research through user interviews with my peers. I chose interviewing as my main method of research because I felt that I could receive the most honest and in depth information from my peers if it felt like an open conversation to them. By asking specific questions, I was able to get to know my users more and gain insight to their pain points, their journey, and what they desired.
I ideated questions about community, involvement, and any suggestions for improvement to interview fellow Parsons students that would prompt conversations about each individual's experience and opinions.
I ideated questions about community, involvement, and any suggestions for improvement to interview fellow Parsons students that would prompt conversations about each individual's experience and opinions.
I ideated questions about community, involvement, and any suggestions for improvement to interview fellow Parsons students that would prompt conversations about each individual's experience and opinions.
Community
How would you describe your overall experience and involvement with student activities at the New School?
What are your thoughts and feelings on the sense of community here?
Would you like to be more involved than you are now? In what way?
Becoming Involved
Can you describe your process of discovering information about student clubs, activities, or events?
What platforms or methods that currently exist
do you use?
Tell me about a time where you missed an event you were interested in due to a lack of information.
Suggested Improvements
What type of communication methods do you prefer to receive updates on about school activities?
What changes or improvements would make it easier for you to discover and get involved in student activities?
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Affinity Mapping
Affinity Mapping
Affinity Mapping
After my interviews, I created an empathy map to visualize the student experience through thoughts, actions, and feelings.
After my interviews, I created an empathy map to visualize the student experience through thoughts, actions, and feelings.
I was then able to identify affinities from the different interviews that I could use to define a specific problem to target.
I was then able to identify affinities from the different interviews that I could use to define a specific problem to target.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
User Personas
User Personas
User Personas
Post my discussions, I utilized my empathy map for the creation of a couple user personas that represented my app's target demographic. This visualization allowed me to maintain users at the center in my design process, highlighting the key primary research takeaways and quotes I obtained from my interviews.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Competitive Audit
Competitive Audit
Competitive Audit
My next step in my research process was to analyze all of the existing platforms that students used to discover school news, events, clubs, and meet other students.
My next step in my research process was to analyze all of the existing platforms that students used to discover school news, events, clubs, and meet other students.
By examining previous cases, I aimed to identify the strengths of current services that were most used, in addition to areas that required enhancement. My objective was to determine how to combine the strengths that the precedents already possessed, while integrating my own improvements.
By examining previous cases, I aimed to identify the strengths of current services that were most used, in addition to areas that required enhancement. My objective was to determine how to combine the strengths that the precedents already possessed, while integrating my own improvements.
New School Student Life
New School Student Life
New School Student Life
Instagram Profile
Instagram Profile
Instagram Profile
Primarily used by students when wanting to find events
or socials outside of school activities and clubs.
Pros
Accessible and up to date
Covers most of student life organizations
Ability to have enable notifications for posts
Includes personal profiles (Instagram feature)
Pros
Accessible and up to date
Covers most of student life organizations
Ability to have enable notifications for posts
Includes personal profiles (Instagram feature)
Cons
No resources to get connected with clubs and club members
Not reliable for most clubs - clubs have to contact the page in order to get an announcement out to their followers
Cons
No resources to get connected with clubs and club members
Not reliable for most clubs - clubs have to contact the page in order to get an announcement out to their followers
New School Newsletter
New School Newsletter
New School Newsletter
Weekly Email
Weekly Email
Weekly Email
Primarily used by students when wanting to find events
or socials outside of school activities and clubs.
Primarily used by students when wanting to find events
or socials outside of school activities and clubs.
Pros
Weekly and up to date
Includes links with more info, links to RSVP
Reliable
Pros
Weekly and up to date
Includes links with more info, links to RSVP
Reliable
Cons
Requires students to subscribe
Few people actually read the Newsletter
Static and limited UI
No personalization
Cons
Requires students to subscribe
Few people actually read the Newsletter
Static and limited UI
No personalization
Narwhal Nation
Narwhal Nation
Narwhal Nation
Website
Website
Website
Primarily used by students when wanting to find events
or socials outside of school activities and clubs.
Primarily used by students when wanting to find events
or socials outside of school activities and clubs.
Pros
Website is run by the school
Filtered search option
Calendar display
Informative of club, upcoming events, and club members and leaders
Pros
Website is run by the school
Filtered search option
Calendar display
Informative of club, upcoming events, and club members and leaders
Cons
Not easily accessible
Static and boring UI
Lack of personalization
Cons
Not easily accessible
Static and boring UI
Lack of personalization
Eventbrite
Eventbrite
Narwhal Nation
Mobile App and Website
Mobile App and Website
Mobile App and Website
Primarily used by students when wanting to find events
or socials outside of school activities and clubs.
Primarily used by students when wanting to find events
or socials outside of school activities and clubs.
Pros
Accessible and up to date
Wide variety of events,
filtered search, notifications
Appealing UI Design
Pros
Accessible and up to date
Wide variety of events,
filtered search, notifications
Appealing UI Design
Cons
Not specific to the New School
Cons
Not specific to the New School
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Competitive Audit Takeaways
Competitive Audit Takeaways
Competitive Audit Takeaways
I decided to incorporate the best aspects of each platform into my app, while striving to minimize pain points such as accessibility, convenience, and aesthetic. The objective was to create a distinct, aesthetically pleasing interface that included features like filtered search, user profiles, user interactions, event sign-up, and had an smooth user experience.
DEFINE
Identifying a Problem
In this stage of my design process, I synthesized my research findings in order to highlight key insights and an opportunity space. After evaluating my discoveries, I was able to identify a specific problem that students experienced that I could design a solution for.
In this stage of my design process, I synthesized my research findings in order to highlight key insights and an opportunity space. After evaluating my discoveries, I was able to identify a specific problem that students experienced that I could design a solution for.
In this stage of my design process, I synthesized my research findings in order to highlight key insights and an opportunity space. After evaluating my discoveries, I was able to identify a specific problem that students experienced that I could design a solution for.
DEFINE
DEFINE
DEFINE
Insights
Insights
Insights
Theme 1: Too Many Options - Some students feel that the school lacks school events and opportunities for other students to meet each other because the events that do exist are poorly advertised
Theme 1: Too Many Options - Some students feel that the school lacks school events and opportunities for other students to meet each other because the events that do exist are poorly advertised
Theme 1: Too Many Options - Some students feel that the school lacks school events and opportunities for other students to meet each other because the events that do exist are poorly advertised
Theme 2: Unappealing user interface - Students are not up-to-date on school activities/events because they do not use the existing school platforms due to the unappealing difficulty of navigation
Theme 2: Unappealing user interface - Students are not up-to-date on school activities/events because they do not use the existing school platforms due to the unappealing difficulty of navigation
Theme 2: Unappealing user interface - Students are not up-to-date on school activities/events because they do not use the existing school platforms due to the unappealing difficulty of navigation
Theme 3: Lack of personalized experience and ability to connect with others and clubs directly
Theme 3: Lack of personalized experience and ability to connect with others and clubs directly
Theme 3: Lack of personalized experience and ability to connect with others and clubs directly
DEFINE
DEFINE
DEFINE
How Might We…
How Might We…
How Might We…
From the research insights, I ideated a core 'How Might We' statement that geared toward my central problem statement. This helped me to reframe my insights into areas of opportunity that tackled a specific design challenge.
From the research insights, I ideated a core 'How Might We' statement that geared toward my central problem statement. This helped me to reframe my insights into areas of opportunity that tackled a specific design challenge.
From the research insights, I ideated a core 'How Might We' statement that geared toward my central problem statement. This helped me to reframe my insights into areas of opportunity that tackled a specific design challenge.
How might we centralize reliable, accessible, information and present it in an exciting, aesthetically-pleasing way for students to obtain about school happenings so that we can increase student engagement with school organizations, and with each other?
IDEATE
Developing a Solution
In this stage of my design process, I ideated a solution to the problem in the form of an app. In the development process, I ideated user flows, wireframes, a visual identity, low-fidelity prototypes, and high-fidelity prototypes, all while testing with users and reiterating based on feedback.
In this stage of my design process, I ideated a solution to the problem in the form of an app. In the development process, I ideated user flows, wireframes, a visual identity, low-fidelity prototypes, and high-fidelity prototypes, all while testing with users and reiterating based on feedback.
In this stage of my design process, I ideated a solution to the problem in the form of an app. In the development process, I ideated user flows, wireframes, a visual identity, low-fidelity prototypes, and high-fidelity prototypes, all while testing with users and reiterating based on feedback.
IDEATE
IDEATE
IDEATE
Creating User Flows
Creating User Flows
Creating User Flows
A user flow displays the complete path a user takes when using the product. It lays out the user's movement through the product, mapping out each step that the user takes from entry point to the completion of each task.
A user flow displays the complete path a user takes when using the product. It lays out the user's movement through the product, mapping out each step that the user takes from entry point to the completion of each task.
A user flow displays the complete path a user takes when using the product. It lays out the user's movement through the product, mapping out each step that the user takes from entry point to the completion of each task.
Using FigJam, I created two user flows that represented the two main tasks that I wanted the app to service:
Helping students to discover events and connect with clubs
Helping students easily discover and connect with other students who share similar interests, majors, or dorms
Using FigJam, I created two user flows that represented the two main tasks that I wanted the app to service:
Helping students to discover events and connect with clubs
Helping students easily discover and connect with other students who share similar interests, majors, or dorms
Using FigJam, I created two user flows that represented the two main tasks that I wanted the app to service:
Helping students to discover events and connect with clubs
Helping students easily discover and connect with other students who share similar interests, majors, or dorms
IDEATE
IDEATE
IDEATE
Creating a Sitemap
Creating a Sitemap
Creating a Sitemap
In order to design an app that achieves the tasks of my target users, I studied my user flows to create a sitemap of the information architecture for the app.
In order to design an app that achieves the tasks of my target users, I studied my user flows to create a sitemap of the information architecture for the app.
In order to design an app that achieves the tasks of my target users, I studied my user flows to create a sitemap of the information architecture for the app.
Sitemaps help to organize and plan the content and structure of the app. It is a way for me to visualize the user flow and how users may navigate the app's content.
Sitemaps help to organize and plan the content and structure of the app. It is a way for me to visualize the user flow and how users may navigate the app's content.
Sitemaps help to organize and plan the content and structure of the app. It is a way for me to visualize the user flow and how users may navigate the app's content.
In my sitemap, my main objective was to determine what content would go on each page.
In my sitemap, my main objective was to determine what content would go on each page.
In my sitemap, my main objective was to determine what content would go on each page.
IDEATE
IDEATE
IDEATE
Wireframing
Wireframing
Wireframing
With Figma, I constructed wireframes, experimenting with user interface layouts. Wireframing helped to visualize where information would go, and how the user flow worked.
With Figma, I constructed wireframes, experimenting with user interface layouts. Wireframing helped to visualize where information would go, and how the user flow worked.
With Figma, I constructed wireframes, experimenting with user interface layouts. Wireframing helped to visualize where information would go, and how the user flow worked.
IDEATE
IDEATE
IDEATE
User Testing a Low-fidelity Prototype
User Testing a Low-fidelity Prototype
User Testing a Low-fidelity Prototype
After creating all of my wireframes, I was ready to test it as a low-fidelity prototype. In this first round of user testing, my main objective was to discover pain points or problems that may have existed with my user flow.
After creating all of my wireframes, I was ready to test it as a low-fidelity prototype. In this first round of user testing, my main objective was to discover pain points or problems that may have existed with my user flow.
After creating all of my wireframes, I was ready to test it as a low-fidelity prototype. In this first round of user testing, my main objective was to discover pain points or problems that may have existed with my user flow.
Main Takeaways and Feedback
Main Takeaways and Feedback
Main Takeaways and Feedback
Adding Additional Search Filters:
"I think that additional search filters would be nice. Initially, something I would have wanted would be to look for fellow students who are abroad from Brazil, like me. So adding a filter for countries would be really helpful to meet people!"
Clarifying Navigation and User Flow:
"The navigation to complete the task was pretty intuitive. I knew where to click, and the buttons were very helpful. I would like to see on the nav bar what page I was on though."
Adding Additional Search Filters:
"I think that additional search filters would be nice. Initially, something I would have wanted would be to look for fellow students who are abroad from Brazil, like me. So adding a filter for countries would be really helpful to meet people!"
Clarifying Navigation and User Flow:
"The navigation to complete the task was pretty intuitive. I knew where to click, and the buttons were very helpful. I would like to see on the nav bar what page I was on though."
IDEATE
IDEATE
IDEATE
Feedback and Iteration
Feedback and Iteration
Feedback and Iteration
After my first round of user-testing, I reiterated my designs based on the feedback. I also began to design the user interface of the app to prepare for the second round of testing with a high-fidelity prototype.
After my first round of user-testing, I reiterated my designs based on the feedback. I also began to design the user interface of the app to prepare for the second round of testing with a high-fidelity prototype.
After my first round of user-testing, I reiterated my designs based on the feedback. I also began to design the user interface of the app to prepare for the second round of testing with a high-fidelity prototype.
FINAL DESIGNS
FINAL DESIGNS
FINAL DESIGNS
High-Fidelity Prototype
High-Fidelity Prototype
High-Fidelity Prototype
Streamlining the Discovery of Events and Clubs
Streamlining the Discovery of Events and Clubs
Streamlining the Discovery of Events and Clubs
Connecting With Friends
Connecting With Friends
Connecting With Friends
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Next Steps and Takeaways
Next Steps and Takeaways
Next Steps and Takeaways
I'm actively talking about my proposed resolution with individuals within The New School, as the struggle for students to feel engaged and connect with others is very much present and common. I would love to see this app developed, as there is a significant chance for it to enhance the communal environment at The New School for current and future students.
I'm actively talking about my proposed resolution with individuals within The New School, as the struggle for students to feel engaged and connect with others is very much present and common. I would love to see this app developed, as there is a significant chance for it to enhance the communal environment at The New School for current and future students.
I'm actively talking about my proposed resolution with individuals within The New School, as the struggle for students to feel engaged and connect with others is very much present and common. I would love to see this app developed, as there is a significant chance for it to enhance the communal environment at The New School for current and future students.
I learned that user feedback is so important and helps me to overcome my own bias. It was insightful to ask participants of usability testing what they thought about the features, the UI, and the User Flow because they also gave me additional ideas of features to add when I had thought I had thought of everything.
I learned that user feedback is so important and helps me to overcome my own bias. It was insightful to ask participants of usability testing what they thought about the features, the UI, and the User Flow because they also gave me additional ideas of features to add when I had thought I had thought of everything.
I learned that user feedback is so important and helps me to overcome my own bias. It was insightful to ask participants of usability testing what they thought about the features, the UI, and the User Flow because they also gave me additional ideas of features to add when I had thought I had thought of everything.
I learned how interviewing as a form of primary research is so valuable. Whether I was in the beginning research stages, interviewing my peers at The New School, or at the testing stage of the design process conducting usability studies and then receiving their feedback - through intentional conversation, we were able to have in-depth discussions that provided valuable insight to their experiences and perspectives. As a result, I was able to identify specific problems so that I can cater a solution to them and improve their experiences.
I learned how interviewing as a form of primary research is so valuable. Whether I was in the beginning research stages, interviewing my peers at The New School, or at the testing stage of the design process conducting usability studies and then receiving their feedback - through intentional conversation, we were able to have in-depth discussions that provided valuable insight to their experiences and perspectives. As a result, I was able to identify specific problems so that I can cater a solution to them and improve their experiences.
I learned how interviewing as a form of primary research is so valuable. Whether I was in the beginning research stages, interviewing my peers at The New School, or at the testing stage of the design process conducting usability studies and then receiving their feedback - through intentional conversation, we were able to have in-depth discussions that provided valuable insight to their experiences and perspectives. As a result, I was able to identify specific problems so that I can cater a solution to them and improve their experiences.
Going forward with future projects, I would like to practice and document the iterative process more, not caring so much about creating a product that is as perfect as possible from the start.
Going forward with future projects, I would like to practice and document the iterative process more, not caring so much about creating a product that is as perfect as possible from the start.
Going forward with future projects, I would like to practice and document the iterative process more, not caring so much about creating a product that is as perfect as possible from the start.
My last takeaway is that I learned how non-linear and different the design process is from project to project.
My last takeaway is that I learned how non-linear and different the design process is from project to project.
My last takeaway is that I learned how non-linear and different the design process is from project to project.