Overview
Academi is a mobile app designed to help high school students explore post-secondary education options in Canada. It aims to address the confusion and uncertainty many students face regarding their future academic paths.
Role
UX Designer (Sole Contributor)Product Strategy, User Research, Interaction, Visual design, Prototyping & Testing
April – June 2024 (3 Months)
The Problem
Many high school students feel overwhelmed and lost when it comes to choosing a post-secondary program. Traditional resources often lack personalization and can be time-consuming to navigate. Students with lower grades might feel discouraged and unsure of their options.
The Maze of Post-Secondary Options: A Problem for Students
Choosing the right post-secondary path is a daunting task for many students. Here’s why:
- Uncertainty and Anxiety: Studies reveal a significant portion of high school students lack clarity on their desired career path (Global News, 2019; Ellucian, 2019). This ambiguity creates anxiety and pressure, as seen in students like Neel Shah (Global News, 2019) who feel overwhelmed by the future.
- Information Overload and Lack of Guidance: The sheer volume of available programs can be paralyzing. While advisors are a valuable resource, Ellucian’s research (2019) indicates students often desire more frequent and personalized support. This highlights the need for additional tools to navigate the complex world of post-secondary options.
- Competing Influences and Parental Pressure: Students face external pressures from parents and peers regarding career choices (The Human Capital Hub). While guidance from loved ones is important, navigating conflicting aspirations adds to the decision burden.
- Limited Understanding of Employability: Research by SRHM Foundation (2022) suggests many students don’t consider employability until later in their academic journey. This lack of awareness can lead to pursuing programs with limited job prospects upon graduation.
These factors create a maze-like experience for students transitioning from high school to post-secondary education. Academi aims to address these challenges by providing a user-friendly platform that empowers students to explore options with clarity and confidence.
The Solution:
Academi empowers students by creating a personalized roadmap for their post-secondary education journey.
Students enter their grades and achievements, along with their preferred field of study. Based on this information, Academi recommends relevant programs across Canada, ensuring no student feels limited by their academic standing.
The app goes beyond initial recommendations by suggesting similar or popular programs with higher acceptance rates. Detailed program information, including historical GPA cut-offs and tuition fees, empowers students to make informed decisions.
Academi’s updatable profile allows students to adjust their preferences as their educational goals evolve, ensuring the platform remains a valuable companion throughout their exploration process.
Design Process
Academi personalizes post-secondary exploration. I dug into user needs and competitor limitations to create student personas. Now, students build profiles, get personalized recommendations, and explore clear program info – all for a smooth, empowering journey.
User Research:
User Persona
Quotes & Feelings:
User Journey:
Needs & Desires Chart:
Developing the Minimum Viable Product
The initial focus was on core functionalities:
- Profile creation with grade input and preferred field selection.
- Personalized program recommendations based on entered information.
- Detailed program information for all recommended programs.
- User interface designed for easy navigation and information access.
Designs
To map Academi’s user journey, I started with basic mockups, outlining key user flows. Through collaboration, we landed on a clean, minimalist interface that prioritizes clarity. Finally, I built a clickable prototype using Figma, ensuring a seamless user experience and bringing Academi to life as a user-friendly platform.
Sign Up Screen:
Home Page:
Preference Pages:
Profile Page
Prototype
Results and Lessons Learned.
Results
- Students felt more confident exploring options thanks to personalized recommendations and clear information.
- The app’s efficiency (minimalistic, clear theme) was appreciated.
- Academi exposed users to new program possibilities, showing them new opportunities they didn’t know before.
Learnings
- Prioritizing core user needs (tackling information overload and lack of personalization) was crucial for the MVP’s success.
- The MVP establishes a base for iterative design. Future updates will incorporate user feedback and explore features like scholarships and connecting with institutions.
- This project reinforces the power of user-centered design. Academi has the potential to become a valuable tool for Canadian students.
