Students want to be part of study groups but struggle to find their own through traditional methods. It’s common that people are not aware of existing groups or are too shy to create their own. Our application solves this problem by facilitating the online creation of study groups. Upon sign-up, the student is prompted to enter information such as major, minor, study interests, location, and bio. This information is visible to everyone and helps users find others with similar interests so that they can add them as a friends. After sign-up, users can create and join study groups with specific topics, dates, locations, times, and number of participants allowed. The app also provides in-app individual and group messaging so that study buddies and groups can communicate about related topics. Our platform allows easy connection, collaboration, and scheduling to improve students' academic and social experiences at university.
Our research process involved market research through surveying current university students and secondary research online. Our survey reached 18 respondents in eight hours and found that lack of awareness of existing study groups, difficulty finding people with similar majors/study interests, and shyness were the three main barriers to students finding study partners. As a result, our app provides a way for students to meet virtually so that students can avoid the uncomfortable feeling of introducing themselves to strangers in class and facing rejection. The app will eliminate the ambiguity of whether someone is looking for a study partner and make it obvious what participants’ traits are so that they can find their best match. Joint also enhances student productivity. 77.8% of students surveyed valued enhancing productivity and academic performance over any other potential value proposition. Joint facilitates this by providing study groups which have been reported to increase motivation to study by 70% of students (Faculty Focus). Overall, Joint’s user-centered design ensures customers enjoy the product.
In designing Joint, we took into consideration various factors to create an optimal user experience. Drawing from previous research, we found that off-white and off-black colors are not only less of a strain on the eyes but also contribute to an improved overall app experience for the user. These colors, along with neutral tones like pastel purple, and green, were chosen to create a soothing and focused study environment.
Additionally, our design decisions prioritize simplicity and user-centeredness. We aimed for the app to be simple and easy to navigate. This is particularly evident in the profile section, where our emphasis is on personalization rather than relying on visual elements. We believe in learning more about users' personalities rather than basing connections on factors like profile pictures. This approach aligns with user-centered design principles, ensuring that the app caters to the specific needs and preferences of its users.
The survey results reinforced our commitment to personalization. Through our user research, we realized that users expressed a preference for more tailored experiences, such as the ability to select study partners based on specific traits. To address this, we incorporated a comprehensive filtering system that allows users to find study groups based on majors, study interests, and other relevant criteria. This ensures that users can connect with like-minded peers, enhancing the collaborative learning experience.
Furthermore, our competitive analysis revealed that users tend to be overwhelmed by apps with excessive features. In response, we have streamlined our app to include only essential and user-friendly functionalities. We believe that this approach will contribute to a more intuitive and enjoyable experience for our users, promoting a focused and productive study environment.
Built With
- figjam
- figma
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