MyOCADU Mobile App
MyOCADU is a well-considered mobile app that is open to students at OCAD University with useful app features designed to support students’ educational performance at school. The app works as a tool for students to have access to student services, and to effectively plan their day to day lives at university.
See Prototype here.
Role
Research
Design
Prototyping
Duration
2 months
Project Scope
UI/UX Design
Project Background
OCAD University
OCAD University shows a high level of consideration for students’ successes, providing a variety of student services. Meanwhile areas of improvement are identified.
Problem
OCAD U students find difficulties navigating the school's digital spaces (web&app). Additionally, there is a lack of interaction and convenience in Student Services, which can negatively impact individual development at school.
Objective
MyOCADU app needs reinforcements to improve retention, accessibility, and responsiveness of Student Services through digital space.
Team Mind Map of Digital Space at OCAD
Digital Space at OCAD
MyOCADU
OCADU Student
Portal
Canvas Cloud
Generative Question
How might we empower students’ educational engagement or personal development through student services and digital space at OCADU?
Design Process
02
04
03
01
Secondary Research
Mind Map
Literature Review
Environmental Scanning
Target User Research
Primary Research
User Interview
Data Synthesis
Thematic Analysis
Affinity Diagram
Journey Map
Empathy Map
Insights
Persona
Design
Design Criteria
Flow Chart
Wireframe
Mid-Fidelity Prototype
Usability Testing
High-Fidelity Prototype
Research
" Mobile apps are becoming “a way of life” for students, parents, and instructors."
90% of North American students aged 18-24 prefer using mobile apps over web browsers
for course-related tasks because it is faster and easier to use (eMarketer).
Most prefer to use mobile apps for schoolwork.
90% own a smartphone.
Course Material
70%
20%
Interactions
60%
17%
Most students prefer seeing course info and materials on mobile apps (70%) than on mobile web browsers (20%).
More students interact on mobile apps including discussions and communication with peers and professors (60%) as compared to mobile web browsers (17%). (Bowen, Pistilli)
What are the Trends?
Communication among community groups, immediate delivery of information, and tight integration between app features are the key factors of interactive university mobile apps.
See Detail for Market research
Communication
Integrated Services
Quick Information
Interview with Users
We conducted in-depth interviews and shadow exercises to observe user behaviors and identify areas of improvement in the app and student services.
Analyzing Research Data
I analyzed data from interviews and prior research. It helped me develop a journey map that uncovered key insights and opportunities. I also created detailed personas by identifying patterns across users.
Clustering
?
It's a useful strategy to break down each interview, identify personas and insights from deeper interpretations on users.
'5 bucket clustering’ analysis'
‘Affinity Diagramming’
?
This method helped us merge data from secondary research and interviews to identify themes and opportunities.
Journey Mapping
By mapping their smartphone interactions, we determined the needs of OCAD students. We identified the most used mobile apps, connected them with emotions and behaviors, and found opportunities for redesign.
Insights
Communication:
Students like to socialize and discuss each other’s work together in a community.
A unified communication method within community groups facilitate motivation.
Mobile Features:
Students value time and effectiveness. Mobile apps are efficient tools for their busy university life, along with outstanding features.
Online Student Service:
Students need online joint student services. They enjoy online student service systems like Payable.
Scheduling:
Having effectively planned schedules for the day is students’ campus routine.
Graphic interface:
Design matters. UI & UX improvements are necessary for a design school. Users dislike the black and white UI and find options difficult to navigate.
Personalization:
Personalizing school information and available services that suit the lives of different creators at OCAD can be a method to improve accessibility and engagement with school education.
Persona
Isabel Gomez, 19
Student / Part-time Barista
Richmond Hill, ON
"I want to be involved both on and
off-campus because working with classmates is helpful and enjoyable. However, I try not to stay late at school as the commute home takes 1.5 hours."
Isabel, a first-year Graphic Design student at OCAD U, finds the MyOCADU app helpful for checking tuition, schedule, and addresses. However, she removed it from her phone as she found the interface unhelpful and the app underutilized.
Goals:
-
Online communication
-
Easy usability
-
Access to school services and information
-
Efficient school day planning
Austin Heid, 22
Student / Part-time Jr. Designer
Toronto, Downtown, ON
"I have a tight schedule with work and school projects. I prefer clear and defined working times and dislike wasting time. I wish to plan my week more efficiently."
Austin, a second-year Industrial Design student at OCAD U, uses only the Payable feature of the MyOCADU app to buy materials. The app is convenient during workshops, but visually challenging and the login process frustrating.
Goals:
-
Quick balance check and payments, material
-
Tool availability
-
Efficient school day planning
Further Research...
We investigated system flows of Student Services, such as Payable, Tool loans, studio/workshop, materials, Programs & Courses, etc to seek necessary improvements.
Design
Design Criteria
Must
Allow students to accumulate information
Encourage interaction among community groups
Time-saving & convenience for the busy life of students
Enhance students’ performance of study
Should
Improve UI Design, maintaining the OCADU style
Mobile-App Based
Easier access to student services
Could
Enjoyable experience in mobile space through improved UI & UX
System Diagram
After deciding what features to include in the app and setting up the goals, I built a structure by mapping. The mapping helped me to organize contents, visualize the relationships between the contents, and understand the hierarchy.
Task Flow
I created a task flow for usability testing to guide users with objectives. I examined each step from the user's perspective. See the flow for the first and second tasks below.
The rest of the task flow can be viewed here.
Prototyping
I designed wireframes that is visually coherent with the current app and used straightforward UI styles. The prototype was created using Adobe XD and Illustrator.
Wireframes
UI Style Guide
The vibrant blue, tinted with purple, reflects the inspiring atmosphere of OCAD U's creative spirit and references the rooftop illumination of the school architecture.
Type
The font's sharp-edged, geometric, and bold shapes exude a sense of professionalism of modern designers of OCAD U while maintaining minimalist aesthetics.
Buttons & Icons
Color
Screens
Introducing MyOCADU Mobile App Features
1.
Get your needs immediately at AV Loans
The AV Loans Service on the mobile app allows OCADU students to occupy their needs in advance.
-
Reserve equipment on their spot
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View information and loan policies
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Select pick-up/drop-off locations, and receive return reminders
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Extension options to avoid late fees.
2.
E-Student ID gives access to school services
The digital student ID is equipped on the app.
-
Facilitates portability
-
Enables access to student benefits anywhere
3.
No wait-time. Shop materials on your phone.
Information on Shops & Studios is provided on the app, and checkout on materials is available.
-
The information includes materials and tools available, and service policies.
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Load money on Payable.
-
Students can share and bookmark items for browsing & faster checkout.
4.
Talk with peers & instructors on O-Board
It is a post-board platform for students and professors.
-
Communicate, share course materials, ask and answer questions on assignments.
-
Promotes social interaction and increases student engagement.
5.
Never miss important announcements
Get personalized updates on school events and news.
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Announcements are categorized and filtered
-
Time-set announcements gets added to
‘My Calendar.’
6. My Calendar
Students plan, get organized & have suitable
study habits.
Users can schedule tasks and events on the calendar to efficiently manage their time.
This feature is helpful for setting up lectures, IT services/AV loans, meetings, and school events.
Important Takeaways & Next steps
Documenting the design process and team discussion
Making notes and constantly rephrasing our thoughts after alimental discussions helped us move forward at every challenging moment of decision making. It always held us tight on track of design directions.
The importance of the research stage and teamwork
I realized that having a large quantity of data gathered by multiple team members greatly widens design thinking. Meanwhile, I also learned that having a good quality analysis and synthesis through appropriate strategies deepens our design process as it reveals areas of opportunity and has a subtle impact on the ultimate design.
The further steps of this project after the mobile app is successfully developed, would be going through maintenance, repairs, and operations to reinforce the features. We would also have deeper investigations on offline student service systems to increase the feasibility of solutions.
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