APlan
Build a platform for Chinese students to target their schools and manage applications during study-aboard application.
Role
UX Designer | Researcher
Team
2 UX Designers | Researchers
Deliverables
Ideation
Wireframes
Visual Design
Prototypes (Axure)
Time Frame
09/2018-12/2018
Easing the application process for Chinese students who want to study abroad.
Nowadays, the existing channels to collect resources and find their dream schools are either the services companies or online forums. Neither of them could provide a one-stop service for these Chinese students.
APlan is a website that provides holistic resources for Chinese students to find their schools abroad, community, personalized recommendations and manages study-aboard applications.
Process
Who Are the Users?
To help Chinese students who
• Want to to pursue a master’s degree or higher in English-Speaking countries only.
• Want to start school application by themselves.
to target the right school and help them to apply for the schools.
Empathize the Users
We conducted 9 interviews with stakeholders who applied or are applying through service companies and/or by DIY.
Methods we used to debrief the interview notes
Affinity Wall
User Personas
Through user personas, we found out users may have different starting points.
User Starting Point 1 - Who doesn't know interested schools & majors.
Prioritize Features for APlan by User Journey Map
Since APlan has plenty of different features, we need to how to organize the website.
Here is what we've learned:
Discovery
When students don't know their interests, they need as much information as possible to help to make decisions.
Personalization
Students need more personalized suggestions based on their interests/experiences.
Application Management
Students may have 5-8 applications ongoing while they are still studying or working.
How could we ease their application process through our findings?
Discovery Support
School & Majors Discovery
Information Aggregation for students to explore their interests.
View Iteration
Personalization Support
Personalized Suggestions & Networking
Provide a networking community & give suggestions on the Schools/Majors.
Application Management
Track application progress
Time-management for users since most of them are still studying or working.
View Iteration
Final Design
Style Guide
Reflection
This is my final project for the mastery course of my master's degree. We use different research methods to identify users' needs and find solutions. It is challenging to manage the project within a limited time and providing the simplified website to the users.
If we have more time, we may need to do more usability tests to focus on certain features on the first MVP and app development.
Thanks for reading so far.
