How Can I improve searching platform that allow incoming NYU students to browse, search and propose student organization more easily?
*Design Question
01
Since NYU buildings are scattered apart all over New York City, Google map is part of my everyday routine especially when I was freshman student. I took a trip of NYU Campus with existing NYU App to map out the journey to find some events or orientations.
Discovery & Research
Campus Trips & Task Analysis
NYU CAMPUS MAP
NYU APP TO FIND OUT EVENTS
I mapped out task analysis of existing journey. Since the NYU event feature does not include a map feature, it was annoyed to check the space where the event was held by going to Google Maps every time. Given that most of the name of locations are still unfamiliar for me except for only a few building, I need to check the locations on the map app.
Existing User Journey
I conducted interviews with five students who are the master and undergraduates to get more insights of incoming students having through. Based on research and interviews, I found out main pain points that I can focused on to improve the exisitng experience.
Interviews &Key Findings
Using the insights from user research, I synthesized the persona Jane, whom I am designing for, figure out their UX expectations, goals and frustrations.
Persona Development
02
Design Strategy
I brainstormed and sketched out a variety of feature and flow ideas focusing on the incoming students' needs I found during research. I decided to pursue AR feature because of its intuitive and entertaining nature.
Brainstorming
Since NYU buildings are scattered apart all over NYC, a mobile application with a ‘Location-based search platform” is needed by students wanting to effectively participate in classes and group activities.
Design Approach
‘What if the NYU Torch logo found everywhere in school buildings could be used to connect students with student organizations?’
Key Idea from Research
I found one interesting thing during t the previous campus trip. Given that the campus is scattered in New York City, there were flags with the NYU Torch logo on the outside of every NYU buildings to distinguish the other buildings from the school buildings. I imagined what it would be like if this logo would function as an easy guide to all the events happening in that building.
All the pictures I took during a field trip research.
03
PROTOTYPES
Simple User Flow
I created initial wireframes that reflect the design goals above and magnify the user’s experience of AR based searching platform.
Initial WireFrames
04
I tried to abide by NYU official Graphic Standards and Logo Usage Guide. For the type, I used 'Gotham' which is official NYU logotype.
Visual Design Guideline
Landing page to Main features
Main Features
By using its own official logo as an AR marker, incoming students can search all events and clubs.
APPENDIX-
Applicable to all universities
Future Development (AR elements will be developed)
I will develop the AR feature part by using Xcode. Since this proposal was one week design exercise, I could not test out the AR elements’ animation parts. Furthermore, If I had more time, I would like to spend more time on research and list up the all the events and groups to implement through app. I want to investigate more on how students manage their time effectively to search the events based this new featured category.